She continued to stare at the compound. “It’s awfully small. It looks big now, but once all those tents and guests are gone, it’s barely a dot in the middle of that field.”
“Don’t judge a compound by its size. You know that,” her father reminded her. “He probably prefers to keep it that size, and farms out new settlers to one of his other compounds. Last I heard, he had twenty-one of them flying his flag, both Normal and Mutah.”
Standing in his stirrups, Edge turned to look back at his troops. “We’re here, gentlemen! Stay with me. It appears we may be pitching our tents outside the compound walls. Regardless, we run sentries the same as we do any encampment. Borlee!”
The second rode up to join them. “Sir!”
“Once we get settled, and we know what our limitations are, let the men know they can move freely about. If they can, I’d like for them to get a good layout of this compound. See if they can find out the battle lord’s duty schedules, and whatever other pertinent details they can uncover. They’ll report back to you. When you’ve compiled a nice list, come to me.”
“Yes, sir.”
Once the second left, Caralas raised an eyebrow. “Duty schedules? Why would that interest you?”
“I’d like to know when he…we…are most vulnerable. If he runs the usual eight-hour shifts, I want to know at what times the shifts change.”
“Because…”
The man glanced at her. “Come on. It’s time we meet this man and his family. I want to find out what all the ruckus is about, and why Mutah practically worship the ground he walks on.”
It wasn’t the answer she was seeking, but she wasn’t surprised he’d avoided giving her a direct response. He’d done the same thing her whole life.
They were within a hundred feet of the main gate when a sentry finally called out to them. “Halt and identify!”
“I’m Lorgon Edge, Battle Lord of Vega City. I come at the invitation of Yulen D’Jacques.”
The guard disappeared for a moment. Caralas figured he had to check the list of invited guests to be sure her father was legit.
“Welcome to Alta Novis!” the sentry announced. “You and your second, and your private entourage are welcome to enter. Please have your men move over to the side of the road and wait there until they can be shown where you’ll be stationed.”
Edge gestured that he’d heard the man, and called to his second. “Borlee!”
The man hurried up from the back of the line.
“Have our men move off the road and wait here for further instructions. Put Vermeeden in charge, then come join us inside the compound.”
A nod and a salute, and Borlee rode off.
Edge smiled at his daughter as they prepared to go through the gates. “I know that look. What’s rolling around inside that devious mind of yours?”
“I’m wondering who’s really in charge of this place.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. The battle lord, or his blue-haired wife.”
“Why would you say that?”
She gave him one of her familiar grins but refused to answer. After all, two could play that game, and she’d learned it from the master.
3
Clash
Garet Renken walked up where Mattox was sitting and enjoying a pint of beer with Donaldson and Weever. “Matt, Vega City just arrived. Do you know where your folks are so I can let them know?”
“I can tell ‘em. They’re having supper over at the lodge tonight,” Mattox informed him. “Is that the last one due in?”
“Prospero is still out, but they had a ways to come,” Renken stated. “Oh, by the way, when you let them know, be sure to add that this guy’s got a shit ton of soldiers with him.”
