Ogran gave a careless shrug before continuing on his way to where his comrades sat with the crew for their morning meal. Serovek eyed him now, standing apart from the others as he usually did, a faint sneer on his mouth and his eyes constantly shifting from one person to the next without ever meeting their gazes.
Had he always possessed such a sly mien, or had Anhuset's suspicion influenced the way Serovek viewed him? Ogran had never given him or his commanders any trouble in the years he'd served at High Salure, and his tracking skills had come in handy numerous times. Serovek had brought him on this trip because of those talents. Ogran's surly manner was of no concern to him as long as the man didn't stir discord among the other soldiers or display insubordination. The tracker had done neither so far, though he obviously disliked Anhuset. The Kai woman, as brusque in her own way as Ogran, wouldn't care if some human disapproved of her, so her questions stemmed from something else, something more worrisome.
He didn't have the luxury of mulling over the idea long. A brief recounting of their adventure in Haradis and the encounter with the galla left him fielding numerous questions all focused on just how effective the canals were in keeping the thing and any of its ilk trapped in the city.
“They've trapped the galla so far. Who knows how long it's been lurking in there. No reason to think it can get out now, especially if there's some ghost or guardian making sure it doesn't get out.” He hadn't divulged his belief in the idea of Megiddo manifesting as the arrow of light. His men were already disquieted by the monk's breathing but soulless body.
“I thought you and the other four got rid of all the galla, commander.” Weson turned to look over his shoulder in the direction of Haradis, growing more distant with each bob of the boat. The shadow of fear lingered in his eyes when he turned back to stare at Serovek.
“So did I. So did we all. And I believe it to be true. This wasn't a galla missed but one somehow escaped. Either there's another breach between worlds or some idiot sorcerer trying to make a name for himself sneaked into Haradis, managed to summon one and ended up being eaten by the thing.”
Serovek conjured the last scenario on the spot, wishing that such were true instead of the possibility of a breach. His soldiers latched onto the idea with enthusiasm. He didn't blame them. It was a far less terrifying scenario.
The wagon driver, Klanek, suggested posting a warning marker at the city's edge on their return trip. “Maybe it would keep people out of there and from causing more trouble,” he said.
“A sign like that would start a panic.” Erostis punched a hole in the idea before Serovek could. “All it would take is one person to see the sign, make the usual wrong assumption, and set rumors flying. Next thing you know, Belawat would be at war with Bast-Haradis and no one clear as to how it all got started.”
Serovek was very glad he'd brought the sensible, cautious Erostis with them. “Agreed. And that brings me to the main reason for this meeting. We didn't plan to encounter a galla, but it’s happened. And I didn't expect to see a canal system surrounding Haradis, but I have. Circumstances have changed, and we have three tasks before us now. The first, to get Megiddo Cermak to the Jeden Order. The second, return to High Salure with instructions for Bryzant to find me an engineer. The third, get a message to the Khaskem at Saggara. I'll have to split our party three ways to get it all done.”
Numerous sputtered protests greeted his announcement. Erostis, spokesman by silent agreement from the others, spoke above the noise. “No disrespect intended, commander, but your plan doesn't seem all that sound. If Chamtivos wasn't still making a nuisance of himself in the Lobak Valley, I'd have no concerns, but it's still dangerous territory because of him. We're safer together as a larger party.”
Serovek nodded. “True, but our numbers also draw undue attention. We may only be eight, but we're eight, heavily armed, escorting a wagon carrying mysterious cargo. Two or three of us would be seen as no more than a family hauling goods or produce.”
“Then just send one of us to High Salure and one to Saggara,” Erostis argued.
“Or send the Kai woman home if you don't want attention.” Ogran's smirk gave his features a decidedly rattish cast. He thrust his chin in the direction where Anhuset slept. “If anyone is drawing attention, it's her with those wolf eyes and claws. Not to mention the teeth.”
Erostis closed his eyes, and his shoulders slumped. “Ogran,” he muttered, “Do us all a favor. Pretend you're smarter than my horse's backside and shut up.”
Snorts and smothered laughter disguised as coughs greeted his comment. Ogran lost his smirk in favor of a snarl, and his hand dropped to the dagger at his belt. The amusement died instantly, and the tension in the group rose fast as the rest of the men mimicked his action.
“Stand down,” Serovek said. “All of you.”
To those listening, his tone was no different nor his voice any louder than a moment earlier when the conversation was far friendlier, but to a man, they obeyed instantly. Even Ogran, though he glared mute promises of retribution at Erostis.
“Ogran is right,” Serovek continued, hiding a smile at their surprise. “Sha-Anhuset does attract notice when she's bare-headed and uncloaked, which has mostly been once we're camped for the night and not in a village.” He then cheerfully wiped away Ogran's self-satisfied expression. “Who among us has witnessed a Kai warrior in a fight?” All but Weson and Ogran raised their hands. Serovek pinned the tracker with an unblinking stare. “A single Kai with martial training, like sha-Anhuset, is worth three of us in combat.” He was pleased to see Erostis's, Klanek's, and Ardwin's enthusiastic nods. “Which means her value as a guard on this journey outweighs the risk of curious stares and a few awkward questions.”
Erostis resumed his role as mouthpiece for the others. “Then who do you wish to stay and who returns with messages to High Salure and Saggara?”
For just a moment, Serovek entertained the idea of keeping Ogran with the group traveling to the monastery, then thought better of it. He didn't relish the idea of burying bits and pieces of the man because he inevitably crossed Anhuset the wrong way one too many times.
“Sha-Anhuset and I will take the monk to the monastery. As Klanek's the wagon driver, he goes with us. Erostis as well to act as rear guard.” Ogran's glower turned even darker when Serovek continued. “The remaining four of you can decide between you who pairs up and who goes to Saggara and who goes to High Salure.” He gave a quick nod to Weson. “I could send one messenger, but as you said, a group is safer, and two are safer than one on any journey.” He glanced to where the captain stood. “We'll reach the next stop shortly after noon. Have your decision made by then and your gear packed. Sha-Anhuset will have a message ready to give to whomever goes to Saggara.”
He left them to confirm the time of the next stop with the captain and discovered Anhuset awake, seated against the railing. She huddled in her cloak, the hood pulled far forward to shield her face from the late morning sun. She held a bowl of the steaming gruel the boat's cook had served for breakfast and stared at it as if she'd spotted a horse dropping floating there. She brought the bowl close to her nose for sniff, gave a disgusted grunt and set it down on the deck as far from her as she could shove it. Her eyes glowed like bright lamps in the hood's shadow when she lifted her head to stare up at him.