Chosen (The Warrior Chronicles #1)(32)

“Is the entire horde accounted for?” the Captain asked, surveying the map of the city.

“Three-fourths are present.” Daniels scratched his graying head. “We have held this many before, under your father’s reign. But we had seen more battle then. We have quite a few green men right now. The Mugdock may get through, especially at the Western Gate. That will be a mess when they bring the gate down. And they will—it’s too weak to last long.”

The Captain gritted his teeth. It was no secret he had nearly fixed that problem, and they were just two weeks shy of switching the old gate for the reinforced new one—it was the final gate to be amended. He’d been held up because some people thought the town shouldn’t waste the expense when they were never attacked. And now look where they were.

“Are the women and children secured?” the Captain asked.

“Seventy percent secure. We are still getting them in,” Sterling answered.

“What of the gates?”

“Closed tight, men at the ready. We are prepared.”

“Our men are scared,” Sanders stated, standing with his hands behind his back. “Being out in the field is one thing, but here many fear for their families. It has been a long time since we’ve had a raid, but everyone hears stories. Or remembers a mother, or grandfather, who was taken or killed. They worry.”

The Captain nodded. “We will have to straighten their backbones by example. If we fight hard and tough, we’ll send the enemy running. The Mugdock have always been cowards first, soldiers second.”

“Yes, sir,” Sanders agreed.

“What of the girl—the foreign woman? I don’t want her taken. She hasn’t reported to the secure hold.”

“I think she can take care of herself,” Sanders mumbled, barely stopping himself from rubbing his ribs. He’d never seen someone fight like she had. She was small, but she kicked like a mule and punched like a pissed off bull. And she was damned fast. Probably faster than him, though he would never admit it out loud.

Sanders noticed the room condense around him and looked up into those perilous blue eyes. He probably shouldn’t have said that.

“I’ll look into it, sir,” he amended crisply. He failed to add that he probably wouldn’t find her even if he tried. Sanders had seen her work through her fighting styles. Then disappear right in front of her Honor Guard’s eyes. If that girl wanted to leave, and good riddance if she did, then she’d kick Lucius’ ass again and take off in the confusion. Sanders should be so lucky.

“Let’s get into position,” the Captain pronounced, returning his gaze to the map. “I will be overseeing the main gate on horseback. They put the most pressure on that gate. Sanders, you should traverse between trouble spots, lending help and fortifying weakness. Daniels, monitor within the city. Make sure the innocents are covered and any breaches are closed or I am notified. Sterling, you have the archers and throwers. Get to the wall and get in position. It will start soon.”

All men answered in the affirmative and turned to leave.

“Wait.”

Sanders turned back, wiping his mind clean and trying not to feel the small knot of worry at the base of his spine. Junice would be okay. Their unborn child would be okay. His family would survive this night, and if not in its entirety, at least she and his child—so new Junice wasn’t even showing—would have a future.

The Captain was looking at them, focusing and frowning. His eyes barely glowed an eerie blue. Sanders couldn’t help but lean in, half terrified, half in awe. They were like the girl’s. His eyes were glowing like hers!

As Sanders stared, the knot of worry wringing his stomach lightened. Loosened. And then dissolved, the worry floating away. Before he could blink in confusion, the rush of determination stole his breath. Strength, power, accuracy—he would win this fight. He was one of the best in this city, and he would show it. He almost smiled, light as air. He felt ten years younger, transported back to the days when he didn’t have a worry in the world!

The Captain blew out a breath, nodded, and turned. He walked out of the room with a brisk pace. Sanders turned to the others.

Daniels had a slightly confused look, his back completely straight, his brown eyes calculating. “I feel…” The words trailed away.

“Like winning. Let’s go,” Sanders said into the din. The others wasted no time.

It was time to rid the world of some filthy Mugdock!

Chapter 15

Malice slammed against her shield in steady pulses, the effect of a mass of people with the same thoughts and motives. Adrenaline pumped through her body, revving her up. Getting her ready. It was a matter of minutes, now. They were coming. Moving as a huge horde toward this city.

Wasting no time, Shanti marched up to a group of armed and waiting men and took stock of what she was working with. The sturdy twenty-foot-high stone wall ended in a wood gate. The beams and work were well done, sturdy. The problem was the small metal bar that acted as the latch, three inches tall and one inch thick. It stood at her shoulder level and would not stand a chance against a battering ram. What’s worse, that ram would burst the gates inward, probably ripping them off their hinges and crushing everyone on the other side.

Who was the fool that designed this gate? He was about as inept as the artists.

“Why hasn’t this gate been altered?” Shanti asked Lucius, casting her glance at the men. They stood still, backs straight and ready to fight. But they worried. Apprehension and uncertainty shed from their bodies like sweat. In a normal battle, death was honor. You died to protect those you loved. Here, death might open a doorway to their loved ones. To their city. Their home.