Hero of Slaves (7 page)

“Where are you? I know you’re still here,” said the man.

“Cord, what’s going on?” whispered Jonrell when he was within a few feet of the man.

The man wheeled around with his blade. Jonrell caught his arm and pushed him backward. “One Above, what’s gotten into you?”

Cord staggered back, looking dumbfounded to see Jonrell. “Sorry.” He shook his head. “I thought you were that little devil.”

Jonrell cocked his head. “What?”

“Shhh,” said Cord, holding up his free hand, wild eyes darting around the alley.

A hint of movement caught Jonrell’s eye as a small figure hidden in shadow crept from a window opening. It dropped to the ground without a sound. Slowly, it inched away from the two men.

Cord whipped his head around at the movement, and ran toward the figure, dagger in hand. The blade missed as he slashed furiously at the shadows. Off balance, Cord fell into a wall, toppling several blocks and sending another storm of dust into the air.

The form tried to slip around Cord with another high-pitched screech as the soldier’s flailing limbs knocked it to the ground. A grin crawled across the soldier’s face as he eyed his prey, blade ready.

Now bathed in the light of a rising moon, Jonrell clearly saw the soldier’s opponent, and with several quick steps barreled into Cord as the man tried to rise.

“What in the name of the One Above is wrong with you? She’s just a child!” Jonrell took the girl by an arm as he regained his footing and backed away.

Cord scrambled to his feet, eyes narrowed with a determined focus. “Get away from her, Jonrell. That ain’t just some innocent little girl. She’s been scrounging around camp and stealing from me for over a week. When I caught her earlier, she bit me. Then I chased after her and she pushed a door on me and pelted me with rocks. The girl needs to be taught a lesson.”

The girl let out a yelp and backed into a wall. Her path of escape had been cut off and Jonrell saw the fear in her eyes. “Back off. She’s just a kid.”

“That ain’t no kid. Look at that red hair. They say that kind is touched by the One Below.”

“That’s an old crone’s tale. I’m not going to let you kill her.”

“Don’t worry, I promise she’ll live through what I plan to do.” He grinned. “But I guarantee she ain’t gonna have any fight left in her afterward.”

Cord lurched toward the girl, but Jonrell blocked his path. He stared into the soldier’s eyes and raised his sword.

Cord came to a halt, beady eyes widening. “You best get out of my way. I’m set on this,” he said starting forward again.

Jonrell held firm his position.

“One Above. Get out of my way!”

“Go back to camp and cool off,” said Jonrell in an even tone. “You don’t want to die tonight.”

Cord eyed the little girl. Jonrell felt her cling to his leg. Cord met Jonrell’s eyes and muttered a curse. “You and your commander ain’t gonna be in charge of us forever, you know.”

“I know.”

Cord started toward the alley’s mouth. “I’ll be seeing you around.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Cord swore again as he rounded the corner.

Jonrell allowed himself a small sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted was to kill one of Effren’s men in a dark alley with no witnesses to back him up. He knew Ronav, his commander, would support him. However, the rest of Effren’s army, especially General Ahned, would want blood in return.

He looked down, surprised to see two thin arms still clinging tightly to his leg. He frowned at the little girl. Lice crawled through her wild red hair. Her stomach distended from her body. Grime covered the pale skin of her arms and legs. She wore a potato sack as clothing. The girl reminded him of the young sister he left behind. Jonrell felt a tug in his chest. He cleared his throat.

The sound startled the girl and she quickly unwrapped her arms and jumped back. She eyed his right hand which still held his sword. He spoke quietly, using the common tongue of Thurum. “I’m going to put this away now.” Moving with care, he sheathed the weapon and took a knee to speak with her eye to eye. “I promise I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I know, sir,” said the girl in a soft voice.

“You do?”

The girl nodded and quickly averted her gaze. “You saved me, sir.”

He smiled. “Fair enough.” He removed his gauntlet and extended a hand, not sure what else to do. “My name is Jonrell.”

The girl looked at his hand with trepidation. She inched forward and reached out with her own. “Yanasi, sir.”

She took her hand away, seemingly ashamed just for speaking. “How old are you, Yanasi?”

“Eight, sir.”

She’s so small.
“Where are your parents? Maybe I can get you back to them.”

Immediately tears ran down her face, streaking paths through the dirt. “My mother died,” she sniffed. “My father left me here on the way back from burying her. I begged him not to, but he said I was old enough to take care of myself.” She sobbed harder. “But I’m not. I only wanted to get something to eat and drink. I didn’t want to steal, but I was so hungry!”

One Above, she’s starving to death.

Jonrell reached out to her with open arms and she flinched back between sobs, shying away from his touch. He snatched up her frail frame anyway and embraced her gently. The fight left her. She rested a head on his shoulder and cried harder as her arms tightened around his neck. He started back down the alley and through the ruins, carrying her in one arm.

She’s as light as a babe.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked through her tears.

“To see that you’re cared for. First, something to eat and drink. Afterward we can get you cleaned up and find you some clothes.”

She squeezed his neck again. “Thank you, sir,” she said, voice barely a whisper.

Jonrell blinked away the wetness forming in the corners of his eyes.

Must have been all the dust that was kicked up earlier.

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Table of Contents

Copyright

Works in the Blood and Tears World

Map

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

About the Author

Excerpt of Walk Through Fire - A Blood and Tears Prequel Novella