Fearless (Nameless #3)(15)
Tea sprayed from Gryphon’s lips. “How can you … we have not discussed … we’re not—”
Laden waved away Gryphon’s sputtering. “Zo’s father was my best friend. He’d roll over in his grave if he knew his daughter was in love with a Ram. And don’t give me that face. I know you love her too, boy. Unless you’re a spy, you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t.”
“I do love her. I don’t pretend to deny it.” I just can’t act on it. Not anymore.
“She’s of age now, and I already have men lining up for the chance to win the girl’s heart. But if I know Zo, she won’t entertain any offer but yours. An offer you’ll never make, so long as I withhold my blessing.”
Gryphon didn’t care that none of this mattered. He wanted to jump over the table, wrap his hands around the man’s neck, and finish what he started yesterday.
“And just in case you’re thinking of running off with the girl, you should know that if Zo eloped with you she would not be welcomed back. Your children wouldn’t be considered legitimate Wolves. They’d have no pack to claim them and no family sword passed down to them at birth.”
Gryphon’s head reeled with the implication. He and Zo. Children. Future. These were things he hadn’t allowed himself to even dream.
“My point is, if Zo is determined to have you, and you are determined to have her, and by some miracle, I relented and offered my blessing, life would be easier for her and your potential children if you were accepted among her clan.”
Gryphon found himself struggling for air and Laden rewarded his panic with giant laughter. He wiped the tears from his eyes and said, “Listen. As much as I don’t want you here, as much as I’d love to string you up like the lying Ram you are, for Zo’s sake, I’m going to try and help you not break her heart. The girl has survived more than most. She deserves happiness, even though right now she has a twisted sense of what that looks like.” He leaned forward, resting one elbow on the table and pointing his fork at Gryphon. “Just know that if you hurt her, I’ll make it my personal mission to ruin your life. Is that clear?”
Gryphon nodded.
“Good.” Laden stabbed at his eggs and added, “Then just stay by my side today. Let the Allies see us together. Smile every now and then. Show them they can trust you.”
They pushed back from the table, and Gryphon followed the Commander out of the tent. As usual, four guards fell in line behind them. Maybe, for Zo’s sake, Gryphon could try not to hate everyone in this camp. Try to smile. Try to pretend like his presence among these people wasn’t its own special kind of torture. They were giving Joshua a home, after all.
Laden led Gryphon through the camp. Gryphon soon learned the large, narrow valley was divided into different sections, giving the Kodiak, Raven, and Wolves their own areas filled with tents, supplies, ironworkers, tanners, weavers, and more. Laden explained that of all the Allies, nearly eighty percent were Wolves—many of whom had trained with him off and on for several years. The Raven made up fifteen percent now, but that figure would swell greatly once the whole Raven Clan arrived.
“Why so few Kodiak?” asked Gryphon. “Don’t their caves lie just east of here?” They approached a large practice field bordering the outer rim of the camp where hundreds of men, young and old, sparred with wooden practice swords.
“Chief Murtog’s wife was killed in a Ram raid over a year ago. He has retreated to his Caves. Several Kodiak joined us after they lost their families, but many follow their chief’s example and keep to their homeland, like an animal licking its wounds.
“Before Zo left for the Gate, I toyed with the idea of sending her to entice the chieftain. I knew his clan needed allies, and I need his warriors for my army. They’re strong, though a bit wild. With the proper training and discipline they might be our greatest weapons against the Ram.”
“Perhaps Ikatou can convince him,” Gryphon mused.
“My thoughts exactly. But he’ll need help.” Laden didn’t elaborate, but Gryphon didn’t doubt the leader already had plans for enlisting the Kodiak chieftain.
A young man jogged through the training fields and met Commander Laden with a quick bow. “I’m sorry, sir. Trouble at your tent. The Kodiak, Ikatou, is demanding to speak with you.”
Laden rolled his eyes. “There’s no patience in a Bear.” To Gryphon, he added, “Watch them train. Notice the different technique a long sword requires. It is the Wolves’ preferred weapon. The reach is longer, but you must be faster with your hands to get the extra length around. An expert Wolf swordsman can defeat a Ram with a short sword because of the superior weapon, but most Wolves are not experts and a long sword does little against a Ram phalanx of shields.”
“Spears,” said Gryphon, eyeing the men on the practice field. “It’s your only hope of breaking a phalanx.”
Laden stared at him, blinking back his surprise. He probably hadn’t expected Gryphon to offer such information … and Gryphon hadn’t planned to be so forthcoming.
“We have plenty of spears. What we don’t have are enough leaders who know how to fight with them against the Ram.”
“Sir,” said the young messenger. “The Kodiak?”
Laden growled. “Take a look around, Gryphon. I’ll see you in my tent for dinner this evening to discuss your first assignment.”