Clanless (Nameless #2)(55)

“I wasn’t thinking about that!” said Joshua. “All I could think about was saving Zo. One of us had to die. I didn’t want it to be her.”

Gryphon nodded, catching the resentment in Joshua’s tone. The boy was growing in his skill, but he still jumped to the defensive whenever Gryphon tried to correct him. “There was nothing you could do? No resources you could have exploited?”

“Too much was happening. Everyone watched us, cheering and calling for blood. I had no other option.”

“But looking back, can you find a solution that wasn’t obvious to you before?”

Joshua groaned. “Why does that matter now? Nothing I think of now will change the past.”

“But it could prepare you for hard decisions in the future.” Gryphon tapped Joshua’s arm and they slowed to a stop. He tossed Joshua his water skin then leaned against a thick tree trunk with arms folded across his chest. “Think.”

Gryphon had trained Joshua better than to argue with the exercise. This line of questioning was common practice for the pair.

“I could have fought her.”

Gryphon nodded encouragement, knowing the boy took a minute or two to warm up.

“I could have tried to reason with the guards that threw us into the ring … maybe offer them money … or something else of more value to them than my life.” He started pacing in front of Gryphon, using his hands to help him communicate. “I had information that was valuable. Maybe if I demanded to see the Seer it would have bought us more time.”

Gryphon nodded. “If you took that gamble and were given the chance to speak to the Seer, what would you have told her?” asked Gryphon.

“Nothing. I would have kept my secrets. The whole thing would be a ploy to get us out of the ring.”

“What if I hadn’t come for you in time? What if you were tortured for information?”

“You would have come. You always find a way.”

“What if I didn’t?”

“I could handle a little torture.” Joshua shrugged. “Dying is dying. People do it every day.”

Gryphon frowned. “What you did for Zo in that prizefight was beyond brave. It was the most selfless thing I can imagine a person doing. But don’t toss around ideas of torture like it wouldn’t affect you. That’s flippant and irresponsible.”

“Sorry,” said Joshua, though he clearly wasn’t.

“Let’s try again. What would you do if they tried to torture you for information?”

“I’D FIGHT THEM, okay? I’d use everything you’ve ever taught me to fight them. I’d find a weakness and exploit it. I’d survive!” he yelled. “Happy?”

Gryphon lost his battle to suppress a smile. “Good answer.”

He stowed his water skin and hiked up his pack. “No more throwing yourself into danger. You’ve already proven your courage. Now let’s concentrate on your skill and intellect.” He ruffled Joshua’s red hair and together they ran north.





During the first hour of sitting in Boar’s dark tent, Zo flinched every time she heard the Clanless leader’s voice. After the second hour, Zo inched to the front of the tent and peeked out of the narrow opening to study the men in the camp. She figured Boar couldn’t be that angry with her as long as she stayed inside.

Men milled around the camp, some sharpening weapons, others breaking down ragged tents. Very few of the men wore wool or woven material. Instead, their bodies were cover in worn leather and fur. Their skin was the kind of brown that might have washed away with a hot bath or some time out of the sun.

How would she ever escape so many men?

Zo didn’t see Boar among the Clanless. The way he talked about her value, Zo didn’t think he’d leave her alone for long. Not a single man so much as looked in her direction, which either proved their dedication to their tasks or their fear of Boar.

How could men so large, with such an advantage in numbers, fear Boar? It didn’t make any sense, unless they truly believed Boar’s lie that he could buy their membership into the Ram Clan.

One of the men left his place by a fire, looked over his shoulder, then walked toward Boar’s tent. Some men hissed at him to stop, exchanging worried glances, but no one followed him.

Zo backed into the tent as the Clanless man drew near. They were cannibals, desperate men who couldn’t be trusted.

“Please, miss. I won’t hurt you.” He raised his palms to placate her and looked over his shoulder again, checking for Boar. Gray hair blended with the black around his ears, but thick muscles corded his meaty arms. “I am Ikatou. My wife and daughters were taken as slaves in a Ram raid.” He looked over his shoulder again.

Zo noticed that a few men had wandered to the corner of the shelf, perhaps to act as lookout for their friend.

“I hear you were a Nameless. You might know my family.” He rattled off a list of names that didn’t mean anything to Zo.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know them.”

The large man’s shoulders slumped, as his whole body caved inward with disappointment. “Of course.” He walked back toward the fire, but Zo called after him. “Wait.”

He whipped around and held a finger to his lips. More men stopped what they were doing to stare at the exchange. “Boar is lying to you,” she said. “I’ve lived inside the Gate and I know Barnabas. He will never respect Kodiak, Raven, or Wolf. He would likely enslave you, or if you show any resistance, kill you before you had a chance to defend yourselves.”