Fearless (Nameless #3)(65)
Gryphon sighed. Is this what would happen when he was gone? Who would be here to punish Joshua for being an idiot? Who would guide him into manhood and complete his training? Zo loved the boy, sure, but there were just some things a woman couldn’t teach.
Joshua’s snoring officially ended any lecture that Gryphon felt welling up inside of him. Words would have to wait until morning.
Gryphon thought of Zo as he walked to Laden’s tent that evening. He hadn’t seen her since their time by the stream. No matter how enticing Gabe’s idea of taking Zo and fleeing the camp, he’d only ever had one option. He’d march with Laden in the morning and trust the fates to determine the rest. Strange that walking away from Zo could be so much harder than walking to Barnabas.
One night.
One night to make sure the people he loved were cared for. One night to tell Zo the truth. It would be hardest on Joshua. Left alone to learn this new life outside of the Gate. Zo would turn to Gabe. They would marry and have children. Gabe would take care of her and Tess. They would be happy.
Gryphon had to consciously force himself to relax his jaw.
One night to say goodbye.
“Ah, Gryphon,” said Commander Laden. He clapped him on the back and led him over to stand with a group of his officers, each with five slashes on his belt. The Ram used a similar method of showing rank. Laden’s Ram heritage was seeping throughout the camp and no one even knew it.
Gryphon shook his head, marveling at the thought.
Laden bounded to the training field platform before the gathered Allies awaiting his announcement. He moved with the agility of a young man, though he had to be nearly fifty. He cut an impressive figure with his dark eyes catching the final rays of sun. His cape billowed around him in the wind, but he stood as a boulder of strength, unyielding to man or weather.
The shifting feet and nervous whispers of the Allies died as Commander Laden’s deep voice carried over the crowd. “Allies! Many of us have lived and trained in this valley for several years in anticipation for a chance to engage our enemy outside Ram’s Gate. We’ve left our families and our homes to fight under the banner of the Allies. Tomorrow our sacrifices and training will be justified. The time for waiting has past.”
A flurry of voices scattered around the field. Laden held up his hands, and they quieted again. “The Ram have abandoned the Gate to invade the Wolves.” He paused for the shocked reactions of his men. “We knew this day would come and a plan is in place. At dawn we break camp to intercept them.” A chorus of howls broke from the crowd. The volume was staggering, the pitch eerily soft and loud at the same time.
Laden’s voice softened once the soldiers quieted. “The women and children of camp will take the southern canyon to the Valley of Wolves. A small contingent of men will accompany them to the Wolves’ shelter bunker. It is the safest place for them now.”
With that one statement, all of the Allies’ vibrato drained, replaced by hard realities. Even though it seemed illogical to send the women and children to the very place the Ram planned to attack, everyone knew it was their only option. The survival of these men’s wives and children now depended entirely on the army’s ability to hold off the Ram at the narrow pass north of the Valley of Wolves.
“The rest of us—Kodiak, Wolf, and Raven—will march out to intercept our common enemy.” More cheers. More worried glances between family members who would soon have to bid each other farewell. More shifting feet.
“Say your prayers tonight, boys, for tomorrow we march to meet Barnabas and his Ram.”
As he spoke, Gryphon could almost hear a familiar cadence in his tone, reminding him strangely of home. But then again, maybe it was just the subject matter.
War belonged to the Ram.
Looking out at the sea of stunned men, many who had wives and children to protect, Gryphon couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. Many of these soldiers would not live much longer than he. Training to fight for a cause was one thing. Marching out to look death in the face was quite another.
The troops were dismissed and chaos erupted as everyone spoke at once. Zo pushed past a few men to get to Gryphon’s side. She clutched his arm until her knuckles turned white. After a few moments Gabe appeared, scooping up Zo’s free hand.
There was no use trying to shout over the chorus of voices. “Come to my tent!” Gryphon said and gestured her to follow. Zo didn’t let go of Gryphon’s arm until he held open the flap for her to enter. Gabe met his eyes in challenge as he too stepped inside the tent under Gryphon’s stern gaze.
Didn’t the Wolf realize he’d already won the battle for Zo? There was no need for him to be territorial. Gryphon tied the tent shut and turned to find Zo crouching next to Joshua as he slept.
“What happened to him?” She shot Gryphon an accusing look.
Gryphon sighed. “I’m not sure, but it smelled like mead.”
“You let him drink?”
“I found him like this when I came back from … the stream.” Gryphon winced. The morning had been a disaster. He’d spent his time by the stream trying to find a way to say goodbye when she had come upon him. She’d looked the part of an angel as rays of sunlight reflected off her smooth skin. He’d kissed her—more like devoured her—and then unintentionally spit her out. And here she was again, beautiful and tempting in her simple dress. He wanted nothing more than to hold her and trace the smooth lines of her body, but knew that would only make leaving her even more unbearable.