Free The Reawakened by Jeri Smith-Ready Page A

thought you were bringing him to the camp near Velekos.”
    “I’d rather not.” He couldn’t explain why, not even to himself. Nilik knew the password, but Rhia had been so adamant about keeping him in Tiros.
    Sirin examined Nilik as he gnawed a strip of dried venison. “What experience has he got?”
    “Basic weapons? Some. Mountain warfare? None. But you always say, the greener they come, the easier they are to train.”
    Sirin grimaced and scratched the back of his neck. “I’m up to my ears in recruits.”
    “Success will do that.”
    “Every company in the battalion is full. More recruits means we have to add a fourth company. That would put us at regiment strength, which adds a whole other level of command that we can’t handle.”
    Lycas took the water flask. “You can handle it.”
    “We’ve got problems with discipline, training. Half the Bears leading these platoons couldn’t persuade a dog to lick its own balls. Then there are the logistical issues.”
    “None of which will be made worse by taking Nilik.”
    Sirin let out a harsh sigh, then lowered his voice. “I thought the whole point of Nilik being here was to go to Velekos, find the thugs who killed that girl. He’s a motivated fighter.”
    “Too motivated. His thirst for vengeance will make him careless.”
    “It sure hasn’t hurt your judgment.”
    Slowly Lycas turned his gaze on his executive officer. Though his eyes were narrowed in contemplation of Sirin’s words, the younger Wolverine took it as a glare of intimidation.
    Sirin glanced away, cowed. “As you wish, sir. I’ll reassign him before you leave tomorrow.”
    “Thank you, as always, for your candor.” Lycas made himself add, “This time it worked.”
    Sirin cocked his head. “So you don’t want me to reassign Nilik?”
    “I’ll take him to Velekos and train him myself. You were right.”
    “I was?” Sirin blinked rapidly. “Wait. Explain this, so I can remember it for future reference, and so I know I’m not hallucinating.”
    “I wanted you to keep Nilik here so I wouldn’t have to watch him die like my brother. That’s a bad way to make a decision.” He took a gulp of water and handed back the flask, already missing the taste of Tiron bitter ale. “Besides, you’re in charge of personnel. I trust your advice.”
    Sirin chuckled. “A year ago, you would’ve pounded my face into the dust for questioning you. You’re getting old, Lycas.”
    “I think the word is wise. ”
    From behind them came the slap of small boots against stone. Lycas turned to see Sani, the third-phase Eagle woman he’d brought from Tiros as a lookout.
    “Sir, Ilion soldiers,” she said. “Twenty men, plus an officer on horseback.”
    Lycas hurried to the eastern edge of the ridge, Sirin and Sani on his heels. He squinted at the dusky rolling hills that lay between here and Asermos. Though gifted with excellent night vision, he couldn’t discern details at such a distance.
    “Are they headed this way?” Lycas asked Sani.
    “No, they’re passing south to north, far enough there’s no way they can see us.” She shoved the strands of gray-brown hair out of her pale face and focused on the passing Ilions. “Looks like they’re on the road to Tiros, probably to the northwest garrison.”
    “Twenty-one, you said.”
    “Correct, sir.”
    He tallied up the number of fighters at his and Sirin’s disposal. They were nearly equally matched with the Ilions, not even counting the Tirons Lycas had brought.
    “Release the bait,” he told Sani.
    When she was gone, he turned to see Nilik approach.
    “Descendants?” his nephew asked him. “Coming here?”
    “Maybe. Our archers will drop them, but it’s up to us to finish them off, up close.” He put a hand on Nilik’s shoulder. “If you need to debrief afterward, come to me.”
    Nilik swallowed, and Lycas knew immediately that the boy had never killed before. He nodded and choked out a, “Thank you, sir.”
    A Cougar hurried