Page 34 of Lucie
Chapter Sixteen
Request
Lucien watched asMastinwas given orders to bring his troops over to the ridge and camp there. Paxton would also bring his group in, but to assign guard duty in shifts to make sure the road remained under watch. By moving everyone further into the woods and away from the road, the battle lord hoped they would less likely be discovered.
Asthe second hurried up the slope to return to the men,Yulenexcused himself from the councilman’s company and gestured forAttyand Lucien to join him off to the side.Attygave him an amused look as they went to stand by the stream, away from the others. “You do realize most of them will still be able to hear us,” she remarked.
“Doesn’t matter,”Yulenanswered, and perched his handson his hips. “Our first priority is to get to Green River and see if there are any survivors left. At this point, however, I’m doubtful there are any.”
“But we can’t be certain until we go there and find out for ourselves,”Attynoted.
“I agree. Which is why we need to find a way through that barricade as quickly as possible.”
“You said there’s a man claimingto be you?”Attybrought up.
“Yes. He says he’s on a mission of vengeance to wipe out everyMutahin every compound he encounters.”
“A mission of vengeance?”
“He says his wifeAttywas killed by the virus, only they call it the madness disease. Thus his supposedly renewed hatred of all thingsMutah,” Lucien supplied. “My guess is that he’s using the deadwife excuse to explain why she’s not with him.”
Attyfrowned at her son. “What about the children?”
Yulenshook his head. “There was no mention of any children.”
Attybit her lips. “If he wasn’t a Normal, I would swear he was a Damaged. He’s acting like one, and it would account for him assuming your identity and going on this tirade.”
“Itwould also explain whatHobron, the councilman sitting over there, told us about their weaponry. He said they weren’t wearing the kind of armor we have. And their weapons were much cruder, less refined,” Lucien told her.
Attygave them a surprised look. “Cruder in what way?”
“We don’t know,”Yulenadmitted, then gestured behind him with a shake of his head. “But ifyou examine what these people are using, I’m assuming they might be similar in construction.”
A thought came to Lucien. On impulse, he turned and gestured toJohnafor her to join them. The huntress walked over, and she and his mother exchanged glances.
“Mom, this isJohna. Her mark gives her the ability to see things in a range our own eyes can’t. She’s also able totell if someone has had the virus and survived. But, no, before you ask, she can’t tell if aMutahwho’s had the virus isDamaged.”
“What is the name of your compound?”Attyinquired of the young woman.
“Asa Valley. Have you heard of it?”
“No, but there are many I’m not familiar with. Is it far from here?”
“It’smany weeks away.”
“Johna?” Lucien gently touched her arm. The young woman turned her attention to him. “Did you happen to get a good look at the bogusD’Jacqueswhen he attacked your compound?”
“No.”
“How about his troops?”Yulenasked.
She shook her head. “I wasn’t part of the enforcements. Even if I was, no one was allowed to get up on the walkway encircling thebattlements after our guards were shot down.”
“So how did you communicate with the fake battle lord?”Attyinquired.
“We didn’t. One morning we woke up to find ourselves surrounded by his army. He yelled his demands through the front gate, andHobronand other members of the council went out to see what he wanted.” She gave a wan smile. “After all, he claimed to bethe Battle Lord of AltaNovis.” Her smile instantly vanished. “They attacked and killed the other councilmen. They woundedHobron, but allowed him to live so he could return with their ultimatum.”
“That being?”
