Page 57 of Triplets for the Barbarians

Our firstborn—that’s something to look forward to, something worth killing thousands of the enemy for—is our future child.

The sound of rushing footsteps makes us all turn around. Scouts come running from the eastern gate, short of breath and wide-eyed. Their dark red uniforms are tattered, and some of the threads are coming loose, but they wear their Fire Tribe colors with honor and pride.

“You need to see this,” one of the boys says.

I know him. I watched him grow up over the years. Rossen is only fifteen but eager and strong-willed. He’s seen his share of fights and skirmishes.

“What is it?” I ask.

“You just need you to see it,” Rossen insists. “Both of you.”

A few minutes later, we pull the buggies over outside the eastern city gates, having left our men behind to await their dispatch orders. When Rossen told us what to expect, I dared not get my hopes up, but as Yossul and I climb atop the wall, I can’t help but exhale deeply and wholly as a wave of relief washes over me.

“Unbelievable,” Yossul breathes, his eyes wide with shock.

The labyrinth traps were temporarily shut off to allow the passage of about a thousand of our men. Fire Tribe colors from all over Sunna: blue and orange from the Hadana clan, red and gold from the Mal clan, blood orange and green from the Tallas, black and silver, white and scarlet, yellow and gray… I can’t believe it.

“Whoever they could spare, whoever they could gather from all the plains and crevices of Sunna,” I say. “They sent them to us.”

“And look farther back,” Rossen adds. “We’re not beaten yet, brothers.”

Yossul and I follow his gaze to instantly recognize the survivors of our Kreek pack at the very end of the convoy. The ones who have been missing since the riverside settlement was attacked, the ones we’d hoped had made it out alive and somewhere safely to regroup.

“That we are not,” I say and immediately climb down from the wall.

We order the guards to swing the eastern gates wide open.

Danno Mal, a lieutenant of Binzen and Izzo’s, leads the convoy. He smiles broadly, the steel armor plates glistening on his broad chest and shoulders as he approaches. “It took us a while to get here,” Danno says, “but it seems we made it just in time.”

“You can say that again,” Yossul says and hugs the man as tightly as he can. “I cannot express how grateful we are to have you!”

“Danno, what gives?” I ask. “I thought you were all focused on Sapphire City.”

“We are. But the human women insisted that some of us head down here to help you,” he says. “Opal City is precious, particularly because of its long-range guns. Jewel has been communicating with her friends the whole time, as you know. We understand what’s at stake, and we also know that the Sky Tribe is coming at us with everything they’ve got.”

“I’m counting about a thousand,” I reply, watching as the soldiers march sternly into the city to the delight and astonishment of those of us already present. Rossen rushes to the end of the convoy to greet the Kreek survivors, teary-eyed and thankful to see them. “Where did you all come from?”

“We gathered by the Five Pointed Star, south of Ruby City,” Danno says. “Our drones and scouts have been spotting Sky Tribe movements throughout the week, and when we saw the deployment in two different directions, we realized they were angling for both Opal and Sapphire City at once.”

“You took the riverside route?” Yossul asks.

Danno nods once. “It was difficult without campfires along the way, but we had to keep our movements as stealthy and as quiet as possible. I’m just glad we beat those bastards here.”

“Not by much. They’ll be at the city gates by sundown,” Yossul says.

“That’s all right,” Danno replies. “We’re at your service, brothers. Tell us where you need us, and we will go. We’re ready to fight to the death or end this nonsense once and for all.”

I can’t help but shudder at the thought of what’s coming. “There still aren’t enough of us,” I warn Danno.

“I know,” he says. And it’s okay. We’ve made our peace with ourselves, with our spirits, with our fates. There isn’t a speck of doubt among us.”

23

Jewel

Ican see them on my screens.

The devils are approaching in their black leather uniforms, the golden tresses glimmering on their shoulders. Their weapons catch the last of the sunlight as the horizon melts into rabid shades of red and pink. Their eyes are devoid of emotion, and their boots thud across the dry dirt road, causing dust to rise in endless swirls around them.

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