Warrior's Soul (Book 3 of The Warrior Chronicles)

Chapter 30

Did you fight for him?

Leyla blinked as the question hit a nerve. Had she fought for him?

""Phwweeee Phweet Phweet." The whistles reverberated through the surrounding trees drawing her full attention.

"Three people?" The Sage asked, listening to the sounds. Leyla had instructed Peter to teach Malia and him the whistling code and was pleased to find he was catching on quickly.

"Yes, on horse back," Leyla's fingers went to her sword belt, making sure everything was in place. "There is no battle signal, but be alert and wait for my instructions."

"Yes, Protector." The Sage nodded.

The first-line archers were already in place as Leyla moved towards the gate where the Warriors were waiting.

"There are three riders," she took the bow and arrows Anne gave her and tied the quiver across her back. "Peter, you come out with me to meet them. Anne you have camp command."

"Yes, Protector." The Warriors followed her orders without question.

The two Hayvanis who were on gate duty opened the door at her nod and she walked out with Athiri and the Peter beside her.

The forest was a calm see of brown and green. Leyla took shallow breaths, listening out for the sound of horses. They didn't have long to wait.

"Tevvuk's Beard," Peter muttered as the three Warriors on horseback came into view. "Protector, my presence will cause you problems."

"Stay," Leyla said calmly. Peter was right, after all he was a defector and Warrior law stated he should be executed at sight for the crime. But it was too late for him to hide now, so their only option was to stand firm. The Warrior visitors had to know that their camp was a place for everyone who wished to live in peace. If they tried to hurt her person, she'd have no choice, but to defend him.

She held up her hand, signalling Anne.

As the Warriors drew to a halt, there were visible arrows pointing towards them through the slits in the wall.

Leyla took two steps forward, angling her body so that she was between Peter and the three men who were now looking daggers in his direction. She recognised the lead rider as Toke, one of Alec's personal guard. The big Warrior was there when she was pretending to be mute...too bad, she was going to have to wreck that image in order to show force.

"Are you here to cause trouble?"

The men's surprised eyes shifted from Peter to Leyla at the question. She kept her gaze on Toke who considered her for a long moment, before his eyes fell to her right hand on Athiri's head.

"You've found your voice, Protector," he said, his tone unimpressed.

So they had figured out the mute boy they met that day was the "Protector". It wouldn't have been hard to guess, if rumours were spreading about her together with the Hayvan.

"And you've lost the ability to answer questions, Toke," she returned.

Toke's brows rose into his hairline, then a smile spread across his face, deepening the gash line under his eye. "I'm here to make a request, not bring trouble."

Leyla could feel the tension drain from Peter's body behind her. "A request?" She stroked Athiri's head, checking on the other Warriors reactions. They were weary of the Hayvan. Good.

"I'll listen happily, but first, your word that you will not harm my people."

Sounds of disbelief escaped the Warriors flanking Toke, but he was silent. His eyes bored into hers, as if he were trying to read her soul. It was a test of nerves; a Warrior would not give his word to one he considered weak.

"Alright, Protector. We will not touch your people today," he said, then raised one brow as he looked towards Athiri. Leyla understood his message clearly.

"And I will not let my Hayvan hurt you," she replied, before adding: "Today."

There was a silence, then Toke's burst of laughter rose up through the trees and echoed across the forest. When he finally calmed himself, there was a tear in his eye.

"You're a funny guy, Protector."

Leyla had never thought of herself as particularly humorous, but she shrugged. "The request?"

"Ah, yes," his humour calmed, he cleared his throat. "We have found out about an imminent attack on one of our Greenland outposts. The expected number of Bone Eaters are higher than usual and...our re-enforcements are too far away to offer aid." Toke shifted in his saddle. He was obviously lying, but Leyla didn't let on that she knew.

"That's not good," she said instead.

"Indeed," Toke looked at a point over her shoulder unable to meet her eyes; he really was a terrible liar. "The Warrior King said since we shared a meal with the Protector, you would surely be willing to lend us a hand. Of course, if you help us, the King will do you a favour in return."

So that was it. Even if Leyla hadn't known how easily the Warriors could have provided backup for the outpost if they truly wanted to, the King's true intention was now crystal clear.

This was a test. Alec wanted to know if the Protectorate was an ally or enemy. Fight for us and we are friends...don't fight, and...Bloody Diya. Although the camp had little to do with Warriors, being on their enemy list would put everyone at risk. Which meant refusing to answer this call for help was not an option.

"The Protectorate is a place of peace. Those who leave us be, are allies, those who threaten us are enemies." Leyla spoke slowly, watching the mounted Warriors stiffen. "But," she took a step forward, "I have shared a meal with your King, and I am happy to give him my aid in exchange."

Toke, who looked displeased only a moment ago, now seemed impressed. He understood the message between the lines: the Protectorate is neutral and the Protector will fight to keep it that way.

"Alright," The Warrior smiled. "Bring your Hayvan along and that should be enough aid for us."

Leyla nodded her agreement. Of course she would have preferred to leave Athiri, but it was obvious that that would be a deal breaker. She would just have to make sure the Hayvan didn't getting hurt.

"Protector," Peter's worried voice came from behind her.

She turned, "You know what needs to be done while I'm gone."

"But-"

"I'll be back," she assured him, then raised her hand to signal the gate keepers. "Remember to change the whistling pattern while I'm gone. You know how Warriors are."

Peter's face suddenly relaxed and he nodded.  She had successfully reminded him that she too was a Warrior - no matter what tricks her new companions tried to pull, they wouldn't get the better of her.