Bird of a Cage [BoW 4]

Chapter 4

Inai wasn't sure how to feel. The urge to throw up was strong. Sadly he wasn't in a situation where that was an option. He was facing his enemy. Or rather, his enemies left-hand man. Spymaster Sakmi sat in front of Inai, his legs crossed extruding confidence. The man knew the Dmar had the upper hand right now. Lixa was a clutch point and they had had it. The blow to the Namya had the potential to end them all if Inai couldn't regain control over the situation. The personal backhand of Loror agreeing to a talk but not bothering to show up in person was unexpected. As the message offering a one on one rumble in the ring the next time they were in close proximity. The rumble obviously not just a sparring session. Loror laugh haunted his ears. The one where Loror was being purposely cruel. Inai couldn't imagine why else he would send such an offer at a time like this.

"Your leader needs to get laid, Sakmi," Isst said. He stood behind Inai, hand on his shoulder in support.

The words on the paper were blurring together. The offer of the rumble was not the only thing Loror had written. There was also a lovely description of what the Warlord would like to do to Inai at the end of the spar. Some promised acts made him shudder more than others. Inai wanted to burn the piece of paper.

"He does plenty," Sakmi shrugged, but even the spymaster was not completely unable to hold an air of casualness about this. Or possibly was letting Inai see that he didn't approve of his Master's taunts being of his nature. His next words were said in an almost sympathetic manner and only caused Inai to burn with shame more. "But no one who can actually fight equally against him like you, Priest Inai. I'm afraid he's a little enthralled by you."

"I would say I'd flattered but given the circumstances, I really would appreciate him being serious about this," Inai folded the insulting paper away and put it in his pocket. He should burn it, if his men found out, there'd be blood to pay. "We want Lixa back" He demanded.

The Namya needed Lixa. Inai was willing to bet that was where the man was now. If he wanted to talk to Loror in person, that's where Inai had to go. Which after the message in his hands would be an agreement for Inai to whore himself out to the man. Inai's stomach twisted in disgust tinged with an old fear that Loror had no part in. He was no whore. He was the High Priest. If the nobles or the council found out about the offer, would they expect him to do it? Without blinking, and that made bile form in the back of his throat as badly as the Loror offering the damn thing.

"That is not happening, Inai. We let your men getaway into the woods. You should thank us for that. None of the townspeople have been hurt either. Ignoring the deaths in the battle itself," Sakmi said, leaning back on his chair with the sympathy gone now they were talking matters of the war. "You have nothing to offer. We took it fair and square. As we will the rest of the continent."

There was something in the man's smile Inai hadn't seen for a long time. Assurance. The Dmar side had the advantage to win now. The next few days and weeks would set up the rest of the war. The final countdown had been started until Inai's neck was severed from his body and the Namya were no more. This wasn't a talk. This was Loror letting Sakmi rub in their faces that they had won. That they were going to win and destroy everything they'd been fighting to protect for so long. There was nothing they could offer for Lixa and even Inai agreeing to spar would only stop Loror from killing him and his closest. It wouldn't stop the war or give the Namya their foothold back.

"Not as long as my men can fight," Inai retorted. Advantage or not, none of his men would lay down their arms willingly to the Dmar. "Sakmi, what does Loror want for Lixa?" Please by all the gods let there be something.