Page 62 of Cage of Destiny
“Really?” Allyssa said. “Idon’t envision you being slow or clumsy.”
The corners of Kerdan’slips lifted. “I faked it,” he replied. “I pretended I didn’t knowwhat I was doing so I’d be placed with the youngest, mostinexperienced men.”
“Why did you do that?”Nathenek asked.
“Because I wanted to forman elite group of soldiers. And I wanted to create them fromscratch. I didn’t want bad habits or competition among them. Iwanted men I could mold, train, and shape into what Iwanted.”
“Which was what, exactly?”Nathenek asked.
“A lethal force no onecould push around, fight against, or withstand.”
Allyssa had heard of hiselite force before. Brookfel was a member of it. “You created thisgroup when you were only thirteen?”
“Yes. And we have beentogether ever since. We have formed a brotherhood.”
Allyssa felt as if a piece of him hadbeen hidden from her. He’d never discussed this group of men withher before.
“You’ve met or seen everysingle one of my men,” Kerdan said to her. “You just didn’t realizewho they were when you met them. They are always nearby. I amrarely without them.”
Odar had told her Kerdan’selite squad was ruthless and lethal. He’d chosen to remain withSoma, an assassin, rather than take his chances withBrookfel.
“Does your elite squad havea name?” she asked. Were they like the men from the cave? Did theytorture others? Enjoy wreaking havoc?
“We arecalled Hunters.” NotIcalled them Hunters, orpeoplereferred to them as Hunters.Butwewerecalled Hunters. Meaning, Kerdan was one of them. And the term saidenough about the sort of group they were.
“Do people know who youare?” Neco asked. “Or is this some sort of secret group youcommand?”
“We are well known,” Kerdanreplied. “But no one commands us. We are Russeks. We fight forRussek.”
“Where are your men now?”Allyssa asked. “Are they in the forest by the duke’s house?” Wouldthey be there to support Kerdan tomorrow? Somehow, the thought gaveher comfort.
“Like I said before, my menare always close by.”
Hurit and Larek joined themat the fire. Kerdan and Nathenek stood, preparing to patrol thearea.
“I thought Neco was onpatrol with me?” Nathenek said.
“I’m taking Neco’s shift,”Kerdan said. “If you’re coming with me tomorrow, there are a fewthings I need to know beforehand. Let’s go.” He turned and headedout of the camp.
Nathenek smiled. “I likehim.”
***
Allyssa didn’t particularly care forthis plan. Not because it wasn’t a good one, but because she didn’thave a significant part in it.
Hurit, Larek, and Nathenekwere preparing to leave with seven of Kerdan’s men who had justarrived with the decoys. The young woman looked similar toAllyssa—same brown hair, same eye color, and similar height. Therewas nothing remarkable about the decoy—which was probably whyKerdan had chosen her. The decoy for Odar was a young soldier aboutOdar’s age with muscled arms and short hair. Again, Kerdan hadchosen him well.
“Please be careful,”Allyssa said to the decoys. The last time a decoy had taken herplace, things went horribly wrong and someone she loveddied.
“We’re both proficientfighters,” the man said. “There is nothing to worryabout.”
Kerdan stood beside her.“With any luck, I’ll be back here in a few hours with Jana’shead.”
Was he serious about thehead? He didn’t laugh or indicate it was a joke.Okay then.
She wanted to tell him tobe careful but refrained from doing so. It wasn’t the Russek way tofuss.
“What?” Kerdanasked.
