Nameless (Nameless #1)(37)
“You’re going to get someone killed,” said Gryphon’s dark friend.
I already have, Zo thought, hitching the heavy strap of her pack higher on her shoulders.
“Everyone thinks you’re an arrogant fool showing off for sport, but I know you better,” the dark man continued.
Gryphon dropped his arm from his friend’s shoulder. His pace slowed as he limped along. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do, Jax. Not by half.”
“I know you’re far worse than a fool!” Ajax snapped. “You think you show compassion, but all you show is weakness! Weakness our enemies will one day exploit.”
Gryphon stopped. Zo kept her eyes trained to the ground standing the standard three feet behind them. She didn’t dare look up to see Gabe, his hand swinging freely under the blanket that covered the rest of his body.
“What are you saying?” Gryphon’s voice shook despite his quiet whisper.
“I’m saying I know you didn’t miss your mark with the Raven boy the day you made Striker. You never miss in practice and you’re twice as good in the field.”
Zo stole a quick glance at Gryphon. It was the second time she’d heard mention of the boy he’d spared. Gryphon glared at Ajax, his jaw flexed, his fists balled menacingly at his side. His voice was calm but his words had teeth. “If you have doubts about my ability to perform in the mess, I suggest you take them up with Zander.”
Ajax shook his head and walked away before looking back. “The men are talking, Gryph. The spear miss, letting the Wolf fight, and now this girl?” His dark eyes targeted Zo. She looked down. “It’s like you want them not to respect you. Like you want trouble.”
Gryphon grumbled something dark and incoherent then said, “What would you have me do, Jax?”
Zo stole another glance in Gryphon’s direction. He rubbed the sweat from his face with a bloody palm. Even in his fatigue, his biceps leapt—a commanding reminder that this soldier was not to be taken lightly.
“Keep your head on. Remember what we’re fighting for. I overheard Zander talking to Barnabas. The clan will move south before next frost. We’re leaving the Gate and all the people of the clan will look to their soldiers for protection. This is the time when legends are born, my friend. We can’t afford to go soft now.”
Gryphon looked over at Zo and frowned. “I won’t let my brothers down.”
Ajax took Gryphon by the shoulder. “I hope not. We’re going to need you.”
Zo mentally tucked the information away for when she could find a day to escape to the river and drop a bottle or two. Though they were far away from her usual spot on the mountain, she could still hear the river over her left shoulder as they walked farther and farther away from Tess’ half-empty bunk in the Nameless’ barracks.
After Ajax left, Gryphon led Zo another half-mile down the wild path. He walked slowly, favoring one leg. His face paled from blood loss. Zo didn’t offer help. The Ram would be less of a threat with his injuries and exhaustion. Not that she cared much anymore. Even though Gabe’s death was just one more reason to fight, her body begged for rest. The simple task of putting one foot in front of the other became as arduous as walking through thigh-high mud.
Her cheek pulsed from the Gate Master’s most recent attack. She held her side without even realizing it. The pain from what she assumed was a broken rib was the only thing keeping her lucid. Sapping the numb anguish that had settled into her soul.
After several miles of walking, the forest thinned into an open field. A log building sat on a modest rise in the distance. Behind it the great wall of the Ram loomed tall and jagged against the night sky. They must have walked the entire diameter of the territory with Gryphon carrying Gabe on his back. The wall and a handful of miles were all that separated Zo from Commander Laden and his men. The thought should have given her hope, but all she felt was pain. Pain for Gabe. Pain for Tess. Pain that she and her sister would both spend the night grieving alone.
Gryphon’s whole body hurt. Sticky blood pooled in his boot as he walked. He held one arm to his stomach like an injured bird protecting a bad wing. His right leg buckled when he gave it too much weight. He couldn’t wait to lie down and fall asleep. Maybe in his dreams he could sort out the mess he’d made.
Gryphon told the healer to wait outside as he stumbled into his family’s old barn. He laid the Wolf down in a pile of stale hay and stretched until his back popped. His skin was wet from perspiring and his feet felt weighed down by rocks. Pressing two fingers to the Wolf’s throat, he frowned and left him there, shutting the door behind him.
Zo still wouldn’t look at him when he exited the barn and motioned for her to follow. They neared the house and the door flung open. Joshua bounded from the porch like a jackrabbit. The way he moved, it was no wonder he’d beaten them home. Gryphon extended his good arm to accept the kid’s help, but Joshua shot past him.
“I can’t believe you get to live here now!” he exclaimed. The healer’s eyes grew round as Joshua wrapped her in a tight hug. The bottles in her ever-present medical satchel rattled together. A rogue smile cracked her stoic expression. Joshua had that effect on people.
“A little help,” Gryphon grumbled as he tried to slough off his pack without jarring his shoulder.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry, Gryph.”