Butterflies of Blood

Chapter 7

Jaye cocked her head. "Patrol," She stated.

"How far?" Aias asked.

"Thirty minutes or so. There are five men and heavily armed."

"Okay," Aias said, his head down, thinking.

"The bird," Shah said, his face was pale and underneath his cloak he was gripping his arm, holding it close to his body to stabilise his shoulder.

"What bird?" Jaye asked irritably.

"The whistle call." Shah lifted his head off his chest and looked at her. "It was a message from Tai, right?"

Jaye, shrugged. "Might be."

Shah whistled, four short tones, an almost perfect imitation of the birds call. Jaye growled, her eyes still on the road.

"What does each tone mean?" He asked.

"Just tell him Jaye." Aias said quietly.

"Why the hell should I?" Jaye snapped back.

"How about you take a wild guess?" Aias said sarcastically.

After a pause Jaye spat, "First is who. Second is how many. Third is distance. Fourth is weapons."

"Now that's done, our enemies aren't getting any further away," Aias said, pointlessly scanning the forest. "Shah, when they approach cough violently. In the cart is your dead sister. Jaye and I were paid to transport you safely home. You look sick as a dog already so I doubt they'll get close. If they do, kill them." The last comment was directed at Jaye who nodded once, still set in her foul mood.

"Keep your head down and don't speak." Aias added forcefully.

Shah nodded. Since they had started traveling his condition had worsened, the blood loss and shock was getting to him. Aias released Jokarmun's reins and removed his cloak, he threw it to Jaye who caught it without looking up. She put it on and drew up the hood. It was too short and she was most displeased. Her height and dark skin stood out everywhere she went and her attitude didn't exactly help her blend in. Aias wasn't a stunning example of normal either but he was better at it than Jaye.

"Hold up," He said, raising a hand to signal a halt.

"What do you want?" Jaye asked annoyed.

"Lupine." Aias swung down from Jokarmun and went to the back of the wagon, taking Lupine with him. He put her in with Kaecilia and ruffled her fur. "Quiet," He commanded, meeting her intelligent eyes.

They continued in silence until the sound of cantering horses disrupted the calm. Aias set his mouth in a stiff line and lifted his head, relaxed his posture to mimic that of an overconfident mercenary. Jaye pulled the hood down far over her eyes and drew the reigns in close. She tapped her heel against the driver's box and a knife clicked out. Another, longer blade, extended from her sleeve with a flick of her wrist.

Shah covered his mouth and coughed violently, his whole body racked by an effort not entirely fake.

"Today will be the worst, you should start getting better tomorrow. That or you die," Jaye said maliciously.

"Remember, we are trying not to shed blood," Aias said quietly, flicking a pointed glare at Jaye.

The thundering of hooves grew louder until was just head, the windy road offering little in the way of visual forewarning.

Five horses raced into view, their riders pulled hard on their reins upon seeing Aias and they pranced to a stop. Each horse was fully kited out with chest armour and blinkers. Their riders were equally armoured and rode with arrogant prestige.