Nameless (Nameless #1)(25)

“Enjoy your ignorance,” the Historian mumbled as she looked down at her wrinkled hands.

Gryphon followed the guard through a series of doors and winding halls until the walls opened to a great room that smelled of lavender and fish oil.

In the chief’s living quarters, Barnabas lay stomach down on a padded table. A beautiful woman massaged his naked backside while he ungracefully ate a messy plate of trout with his fingers. One of the old yellow scrolls lay open at his side. He didn’t bother looking up from the page.

The guard who escorted Gryphon dropped to one knee and whispered a message into his master’s ear. Barnabas grunted and dismissed the guard. “It seems you’ve met my grandmother.”

“I didn’t realize she was your family, sir.”

The chief frowned and went back to his reading and trout, leaving Gryphon to stand waiting in the middle of the room.

When the chief finished his meal, he snapped his fingers and a new servant appeared to retrieve the fishy plate. “Did you know Linus the Mighty was barely five and a half feet tall? Doesn’t sound all that ‘mighty’ to me!” He wiped his mouth on a silk cloth.

“Who are we talking about, sir?”

The chief waved him off. “I’m talking about the past, son. You and the past have a great deal in common.”

“What do you mean, sir?”

“I mean we are not as original as we think we are. These scrolls will tell you as much. My father and grandfather studied them day and night. Histories of ancient empires and military structures that changed the world.”

Gryphon shifted his feet, anxious for the chance to discuss his reason for coming.

“Where other great empires failed, we will prevail. Do you know why, young Striker?”

Gryphon shook his head. “Why, sir?”

The chief held up a preaching finger. “Because we have managed to pick the weeds in our society, getting rid of imperfection and making room for the healthy to thrive. There has never been a more pure race in history.”

The woman massaging his back rolled her eyes. Gryphon fought a smile. How many times had this girl heard the chief’s ranting? The more Gryphon watched the girl, the more he thought she looked like Zo.

Like a Wolf.

If that were true, then the chief was disobeying his own order. When Gryphon was still a boy, Barnabas had ordered the killing of all the Nameless Wolves inside the Gate. It had been a source of contention since Wolf women were highly favored among ranking officials.

Just thinking of all the Nameless killings made Gryphon nauseous.

“Sir, if I may be so bold, I’d like to visit the Wolf prisoner.”

Barnabas propped up onto his elbows. “Why do you want to see him?”

“I’d like to question him.”

Barnabas snorted. “And what makes you think he’ll talk to you?”

Gryphon shrugged. “He might not.”

Barnabas grumbled and went back to his reading. “I suggest you concentrate on your spear throwing and leave interrogations to the experts.” He sank back onto the table and looked away. A clear dismissal.

Gryphon turned to leave, but ground his teeth together. “He’s the bravest enemy I’ve ever faced, sir,” he blurted. “I brought him in. I believe I’ve earned the right to face him.”

Barnabas slowly raised his head. Painful silence filled the space between them.

Gryphon cleared his throat. “If nothing else, I’d like to look him in the eyes before his execution.”

Barnabas’ mood shifted like a match struck in total darkness. He pounded his fist on the table and laughed. “You sound like a woman.” His deep chuckle turned his face red. When Gryphon didn’t join in, the chief sobered and frowned. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Yes, sir. I think he’ll speak to me. I might be able to learn something about our enemy.”

Barnabas harrumphed and sunk back into the cushions. He waved his hand. “Your heroics have earned you the right, I suppose. Only prepare yourself for disappointment. The Wolf hasn’t muttered a word since he came here. Even my interrogators have failed, and we both know how persuasive they can be.”

Gryphon could only imagine. “Thank you, sir.”





Chapter 14





“I want you to keep this pressed firmly against the wound. Understand?”

The little girl pinched her eyes shut and nodded. Zo frowned at her effort not to cry. Even little girls had to be brave inside the Gate. Thankfully the weighted training weapons children used were blunted.

“What’s your name?” Zo squatted down to meet the girl’s eyes.

“Iris,” she whispered.

“Iris, the next Ram Chieftain? I’ve heard of you.”

The little girl opened her eyes and giggled. “I’m not a going to be a chief.”

“Oh, no.” Zo put her hand to her mouth in mock surprise. “I guess I wasn’t supposed to tell.”

The girl giggled again until the door flew open. It banged against the wall, making both Zo and the child jump. On sheer reflex, Zo turned to shield the child from danger with her own body. She didn’t have time to analyze her own reaction. The girl was young, but she was a Ram in blood. Zo’s instinctive concern surprised her.