Page 85 of Lucie
Chapter Forty-One
Attack
They didn’t have to wait long. A few minutes later they spotted a line of lanterns weaving their way through the trees. As the group from the compound advanced toward them, Lucien saw moreMutahhunter warriors emerging from the sides in an attempt to surround them. As theMutaheyed their weapons, every man inYulen’sbrigade kept their handson their reins. No one dared as much as touch his sword.
A man with an extra pair of arms sprouting from his chest approached the battle lord. By his robes, Lucien recognized him as being one of the Council. Stopping near the Palomino’s head, theMutahdefiantly stared up atYulen.
“I amCoborosMinn. Before you say anything more, the answer is no. You may not enterour compound. Leave now. This is the only warning you will get.”
Yulencasually leaned over his saddle horn. “I told your sentry we were not requesting entry. We only request permission to camp outside your walls for the night. We’ll be on our way in the morning.”
Minnappeared confused. “You’re not welcome here,D’Jacques…or whatever your real name is.”
Yulensmiled. “That’s my real name. The reason I’m not requesting entry based on the Three Laws of Equality is because my wife and another companion are recovering from the maddening disease. Until my physician assures me they’re no longer contagious, I don’t want to risk passing it along to your compound.”
The battle lord’s admission seemed create more confusion for theMutahcouncilman. He turned to two others standing behind him, and they had a brief conversation.
Lucien surveyed theMutahhunters standing guard around them. It was difficult to read their expressions, but their posture showed they were fearful, as well as determined. He couldn’t fault them.
At the same time, that sense of uneasiness continued to grow. It was possiblehe was getting some kind of feedback from the hunters. Whatever was causing his skin to tighten in response, he didn’t like it. It was leaving a metallic tang in his mouth, and he fought the urge to spit.
“D’Jacques,”Minnaddressed the battle lord again. “You claim you have the battle lady with you?” Obviously, theMutahhad gotten word that the reason the fake battle lord was onthe warpath was to avenge his wife’s death.
In answer,Yulenmotioned with his hand. From the middle of their circle, Iain rode forward, dragging the travois that held Atty. The doctor stopped next to theYulenand slid out of the saddle. “Have any of you had the maddening disease?” he asked, not approaching the group.
Minnshook his head. “No, but we’ve heard of it.We’ve been very careful about allowing fellowMutahinto our compound.” He lifted his lantern as he stretched his neck to look at the figure on the stretcher. Lucien also peered at his mother, who remained oblivious to the world. But there was no mistaking her blue hair. Her renowned mark.
Yulennoticed the councilman’s surprise. “I told you, I’m the realD’Jacques. A few days ago,we were set upon by that man who pretended to be me. We managed to defeat them, when we were suddenly attacked by Bloods. We fled to the deserted compound that used to be known as Schutz Ridge, and that’s whenAttyand ourMutahcompanion came down with the sickness. Dr.MaGrathhere tells me they’re starting to recover, but we’re still several days away from our home. All we request is that wehave your permission to set up camp outside your walls, so we can use your compound to protect our backs. I promise we’ll be gone come morning.”
Lucien didn’t catchMinn’sresponse. Instead, he heard soft whistling far to his right, back into the denser part of the forest. The sound of it sent shivers running through him, and he unconsciously reached for his sword. The action wasnoticed by theMutahhunters, who immediately took a defensive posture and raised their own weapons.
“Lucien?”Yulen’svoice was both derisive and questioning. Disobeying a direct command from the battle lord was a serious violation, but…
“Dad…it’s closer.” His own words sounded distant, as if his ears were plugged up. The coldness creeping up his spine and leavinghis flesh covered ingoosepimpleshad intensified.
His father asked a question, but he was unable to hear it. A reddish film gradually came over his eyes. Everything inside him screamedrun! Run!
Lucien drew his sword just as twoMutahhunters were pounced upon from behind, and a soldier yelled a warning. “Bloods!”
Howls erupted from the trees, and morethan a dozen of the creatures erupted from where they’d been hiding, swarming the two armies in a blind attack. The creatures had been skulking in the background and preparing to ambush both parties. Using the distrust and caution between the two to their advantage, and sneak up on the men while their attention was directed elsewhere.
Lucien swung his sword downward to stave offa Blood wielding a lance. His blade sliced through the thing’s bicep, separating its arm from its body. Another Blood tried to grab his horse’s bridle. The animal reared instead, and for a moment the Blood dangled off the ground. Lucien brought the sword across, and the side of the thing’s face flew away.
He caught his father yelling orders to form a phalanx aroundAttyandJohna. Another squad ofD’Jacques’ men charged the Bloods, with theMutahhunters covering their rear. Together, they started driving back the creatures as his father’s inner circle took position to protect the ill and those too injured to fight.
Lucien’s horse whinnied and tried to back up. Two more Bloods grabbed for the animal’s front legs and pulled. The unexpected action jerked Lucienforward. Off-balanced, he dropped his sword to keep from landing on it. He tucked his head at the last second, and landed on his right shoulder and side. A third Blood jumped on him, and Lucien felt a hard pounding on his back. The impact shoved him face-down in the dirt. The creature slammed into him again, this time with enough force to almost make him black out. He tried to roll over, whenanother Blood jammed something into the back of his leg as he struggled to get away.
Dimly, he was aware of someone yelling his name. He scrambled for the dagger on his weapon’s belt, but that part of his body was digging into the ground. His fingers felt around almost blindly for something to use as a weapon, when he came in contact with a rock about the size of his fist. Grabbingit, he swung outward. It connected with something warm and furry. He heard a grunt, and suddenly the weight holding him down was gone.
Freed, he managed to roll, swinging the rock again. It caught the other Blood on the kneecap, where it made a crunching sound. The creature shrieked in pain.
Lucien struggled to his feet. Lifting his head, he barely caught sight of anotherBlood aiming for him, a broadsword held aloft with both hands. Without thinking, he threw the rock with as much force as he could. It hit the thing in the center of its face, crushing its nose and one eye. The creature stumbled backwards, letting go of its weapon, and collapsed, unconscious.
“Lucien!”
He glanced up to see his father urging his horse forward. The battlelord leaned sideways, one arm extended as the horse raced toward him. Lucien steadied himself, then grabbedYulen’shand and swung himself up into the saddle behind him as the stallion galloped past.
Yulenwheeled his mount around to return to where a small battalion of his men andMutahwere holding steady, when a fresh wave of Bloods poured from between the trees. Several ranstraight for the two men on the Palomino, and slammed theirbodiesdead center against the horse. The stallion screamed as it toppled sideways, taking the battle lord and battle prince with it.
