Fearless (Nameless #3)(3)
“Tell him I’m back,” she said softly. “Tell him I survived.”
Chapter Two
The flaps of the large tent opened and Zo led the Kodiak, Gryphon, and Joshua inside.
Low-burning oil lanterns cut through the darkness, casting fierce shadows along the planes of Commander Laden’s face. It had only been a few months, but Zo noticed an obvious change in her friend and commander. Gray hair invaded his dark sideburns and hairline while heavy shadows lingered beneath his deep brown eyes. Despite his evident exhaustion, his jaw still cut a firm line and his shoulders were piled with taut muscle.
His most notable feature—a jagged scar running from his brow, down his notched and repeatedly broken nose, to his chin—was still as prominent as ever. Though the men in camp would never admit it, Zo knew it intimidated them. Laden appeared to be a beast of a man, but Zo knew a different side of him, and no matter his scarring, she had no trouble seeing the handsome man of his youth beneath the frightening lines.
He leaned over his pine desk, his body propped up by his fists, giving orders to a man wearing animal teeth strung in a necklace. “If you and the other lieutenants can’t fix the problem, I will.” The Commander leaned toward the man and growled, “And believe me, no one wants that.”
The soldier offered a curt nod and marched out of the tent while Commander Laden bent over to pick up a document on his desk. At their approach, he inhaled a long-suffering breath, and reluctantly pulled his gaze from the paper before him.
The document fluttered to the desk, forgotten. “Zo?” He blinked. “Dear girl,” he whispered under his breath, his intelligent eyes searching her face as though he were trying to solve a riddle.
He crossed the distance between them and pulled her into a familiar hug, planting a fatherly kiss on the top of her head. “Stone gave me your letter. When Tess arrived to find you weren’t here … let’s just say the poor girl has had a rough few days.”
Zo could only imagine. She’d lied to her eight-year-old sister when they last parted, telling Tess she was going on ahead with a group of scouts when really she’d offered herself up in a trade to the leader of the Clanless. She hadn’t wanted to betray her sister’s trust, but there hadn’t been another viable option. Tess was like the wind. She went wherever she pleased, no matter the threat of punishment and without thought of the danger involved. This was evident when she secretly followed Zo across the wilderness to infiltrate Ram’s Gate as a spy a few months ago.
“How are the Nameless refugees?” asked Zo, smiling sadly at the thought of her sister’s distress.
Laden grumbled and released her from his embrace. “Hungry.” He sighed. “When I finally allowed you to take on the mission inside Ram’s Gate, I prayed for your survival. I never expected you to bring two hundred Nameless back to camp with you. Our resources are dwindling. And unless Chief Naat and the rest of the Raven Clan arrive with provisions, we will have a lean few months until first crop.”
Zo scoffed. “Since when has the leader of the Allied Clans refused able-bodied refugees? Of all the people in the region, Ram slaves have more right than anyone to fight.” She knew Laden didn’t really resent the Nameless, but she still couldn’t help rising to their defense. “You can train them, Commander. Just like you have the rest.”
“Speaking of guests.” He gestured to the other men in the tent. Zo had nearly forgotten they weren’t alone. “Now would be a great time to explain the presence of these men.”
“These are the Kodiak who helped me escape the Clanless.”
The Kodiak, with their shaved heads, full beards, and large bodies seemed to fill the whole tent. Ikatou stepped forward and offered the Commander a clipped bow. “I am Ikatou Apirana Turupa, son of the claw and the tooth.”
Laden returned the bow. “Welcome, Ikatou. What brings you to my camp?”
“We left our clan to retrieve our family members taken as Nameless slaves a few months ago in a Ram raid.” Ikatou glanced over at Zo. “We banded with the Clanless leader, Boar, when he promised us access into Ram’s Gate. After he traded the Nameless safe passage over the mountain for Zo, she convinced us of his treachery.”
Laden frowned. “You seem to be a man of shifting allegiance. I’m not sure what you want from me, Bear, but I can promise you that no man is welcome in my camp unless he agrees to fight for our cause.”
Ikatou’s ears reddened. “Our allegiance is to our families.” He ground out the words and his hands flexed. His posture poised to throw his fist into Laden’s face. “We have no love for you or your camp. But we share the same enemy and will fight for you so long as you help us get our families back.”
Laden crossed his arms in front of his chest, regarding Ikatou with quiet authority. “One thing I will say for your people, you certainly don’t mince words.” He put out his hand, and after only a brief pause, Ikatou closed the handshake. “You are welcome here, Kodiak. We will do our best to help your families, but I can make you no promises.”
Ikatou met eyes with Zo then turned his attention back to Laden. It was only a short glance, but its message seemed to sear the partially healed cuts on the backs of Zo’s hands. The cuts were meant to remind her of her promise to help Ikatou and his men free their families. They’d killed the Clanless leader, Boar, when he’d broken his promise, and she had no doubt they would carry out the terms of her blood oath if she failed them too.