Free The Warrior's Tale by Allan Cole, Chris Bunch

feelings, but sensed no hostility from the wizard.
    Jinnah had yawned when I'd first told him about Polillo's axe hanging from the spell-shrouded window, but one of Gamelan's bushy brows had arched high over his hawk-like features. When I told my commander the use I intended to make of that discovery - along with several others - he yawned wider still. But I saw Gamelan tense and stroke his long, white beard.
    Captain Hux, Jinnah's chief aide, made an elaborate pretence of scrawling a note. 'Shall I send a scouting party around to confirm Captain Antero's ... unusual observations, sir?' His voice was languid, moist with mocker}'.
    Jinnah roused himself enough to put on a mild show of careful thought.
    I jumped in. 'That might give it away, sir,' I said. 'Only Te-Date knows if we'll have another chance like this.'
    Jinnah frowned. 'Assuming I found favour with your ... notion ... I'd certainly insist on professional confirmation.'
    I bit off an angry retort. I pointed at the copy of my report -complete with detailed sketches drawn by Polillo. 'You have not only my word, sir,' I said. 'My officers have signed on as well.'
    Hux made no comment - only shook his head.
    Taking the cue, Jinnah said: 'I don't like to insult my command team unnecessarily, Captain. So there's no need for me to comment further on that point.' He picked up my report and riffled the pages. Then he sneered, and let it fall. 'This plan of yours, however, gives me much distress. It is the work of - how shall I say it? - an unstable mind.' He turned to Hux. 'This is the sort of thing I warned the Council about.'
    Anger almost brought me to my feet. But I held back. 'I won't speak for myself, sir,' I gritted, 'but I will not have my soldiers maligned. They've served as ably, and have suffered as much as anyone and more than some in this war. Sir.'
    Jinnah's eyes burned, but he remained outwardly calm - that sneer of his tilting upward. 'What you have said is mostly true, Captain,' he said. 'I emphasize the mostly.' His head swivelled to Hux again. 'It's the inconsistencies that concern me,' he said. He turned back to me, his face taking on a look of kindly superiority. 'But I suppose we must make allowances for nature. 1
    Cholla Yi laughed, quick and mean. I'd had enough. I patted my sheathed knife. 'Beware, Admiral,' I said, quite low. 'Didn't you hear our general? My nature can't be trusted.'
    His features darkened, but his anger tangled in nets of confusion. How should he respond to my challenge? No woman had ever spoken to him so. I moved on before he could recover. As I shifted my attention to Jinnah I noted Hux and the other aides had been chastened. It was as I intended. They knew my reputation as a fighter. Some had even seen me at my work. They squirmed in their seats like small, naughty boys. But Jinnah met my gaze full on.
    'I respectfully protest your reaction to my plan, sir,' I said, making sure there was no hint of insubordination. 'I believe it deserves more thoughtful study. If I'm right, by this time tomorrow this war could be over - our enemy defeated.'
    'I have given it careful study, Captain,' Jinnah said. 'And I've made my decision.'
    'Then I must insist, sir, my protest be noted.'
    Jinnah gave a sly grin. 'So noted, Captain Antero.' He started to rise, as if our business were concluded.
    'I want it officially recorded, sir,' I demanded. 'It is my right to have it drawn up and witnessed by every person in this tent. There is a courier leaving for Orissa tomorrow. It is my intention, sir, for my protest to accompany him.'
    Jinnah exploded. 'How dare you challenge me!' he shouted.
    'I'm not challenging you, sir,' I said. 'I'm only asking what is my right, if you please.'
    'Well, I don't please,' Jinnah snarled.
    'Are you refusing, sir?' I asked. I added an edge to my voice.
    Jinnah's fury grew, but before it could spill out I saw Hux give a tug at his cloak. The general, as I'd hoped, was being warned that he was treading very close indeed