“Have you caught the parties responsible?They should all be given the traitor’s reward,” Cale saidheatedly.
“Yes, well, when they’re caught I’m sureyou’ll be first in line to give them that reward,” Darius saidsarcastically.
It was well known that Cale liked to attendsuch events. A bloodthirsty man, he tended to take advantage ofthose in weakened states.
“I thank you for your concern, but we havemuch to discuss. You should retire for the night. I’m sure Henrywill have much for you to do tomorrow,” Fallon said indismissal.
“I would be a horrible brother to let alittle missed sleep keep me from your side. I wouldn’t want you tohave to rely on the loyalties of others in this dark time. Afterall, family can always be counted on,” Cale said with a sidelongglance at Darius.
“And what assistance might you provide? Youdon’t know the first thing about such things,” Darius said.
Fallon interrupted before the discussioncould degenerate any further. It would not be the first time ashouting match had erupted between the two. He’d hoped placing Caleunder Darius’ command several months prior would help to reconcilethe two or at least make them less antagonistic, but it had onlyseemed to worsen their relationship. Each man had his strengths,but both refused to see any good in the other.
“Enough,” Fallon said. “I am tired and wouldlike to see my bed before the sun rises. Cale, thank you for theoffer, but Darius has experience in such matters and is as close tome as you. I have no reservations about his loyalty and would thankyou not to question it again.”
Cale face reflected anger for a moment beforeit smoothed back into a pleasant expression. He bowed his head andsaid, “As you wish, brother.”
He turned and left.
Darius leaned his head against his hand as hewatched him go. “It is interesting that he knew of theassassination attempt so soon after. It makes one wonder where hecame by the information considering my men were under orders not toshare news of the attempt with anyone.”
Fallon stared after his half-brother, hisface lost in thought. “It does make one wonder. Keep an eye on himjust in case.”
Darius lifted his head and gave Fallon apenetrating stare, “You think he might be involved?”
“It would not be the first time a closefamily member has plotted against a Warlord.”
Darius nodded, knowing that was how Fallon’sgrandfather lost his life.
“As you will.”
“Hot food, showers, maybe even a clean changeof clothes.” Buck leaned his head back and rolled his eyes inimagined bliss.
“I can practically taste the stew already,”Eamon said, smacking his lips.
Shea snorted as she steered her horse ontosafer ground. Every time they returned to the main camp all theywanted to talk about was what they would do first.
Assigned to a supply party tasked withgathering the monthly tithes, the three had just finished guidingtheir charges to the three villages on their route. Now they wereheading back to the main Trateri camp, also known as home.
Despite the bitching that had followed theirorders, they’d rather enjoyed their time on what scouts consideredlight duty. Though the terrain was still rough, the villages rarelyput up any fight and every one of them was clearly marked on a map.It was easier than a lot of the mapping missions they drew, but itwas also considered bitch work since there was little to no gloryto be had.
“This time you’re getting a shower if I haveto throw you in myself,” Buck groused at Shea.
She stuck her tongue out at him. He was onlyhalf joking. Though she ensured she stayed as clean as possible,the others had begun to notice that when it came time to bath orwhip out their dicks to take a piss, Shea was always conspicuouslyabsent. She found ways to take care of business later when no onewas around. She’d been doing it so long that for the most part theychalked up her shyness to a Lowlander thing. They were beginning topush, though. The Trateri didn’t have the same body consciousnessthat Lowlanders did and often bathed in open showers or instreams.
“I’m in no hurry to get a look at your damndicks,” Shea told him.
“But they’re such fine dicks, Shane.”
“Fine they may be, but I prefer a littleprivacy in my bath.”
“Why? Do you need a little alone time to jackoff? You know if you use your hand too much it’ll just make what’sbetween your legs fall off.”
“I think you might want to take your ownadvice, Buck. Maybe there’s a nice village girl somewhere out therewho can give your nether regions a bit of attention.” Eamongrinned.
Buck’s nose wrinkled in disgust, and hismouth pursed as if it had just bitten into something sour. “ALowlander girl? Impossible. I’d break her in half. These Lowlandersare just too frail. If she got anywhere near my cock, she’d faintdead away.”
“Wow,” Shea said shaking her head indisbelief. “That’s quite an ego you have there.”
