Page 70 of Over the Emerald Valley
“You promise?”
Neku nodded, eyes solemn.
Though Temaj could ignore the sight of Solon and the dead viceroy, he couldn’t ignore the sounds—sucking, slurping, wet. It was almost worse to hear and not see because Temaj’s mind had a talent for conjuring up images more horrible than reality could offer.
He struggled to make sense of what had happened. His master was dead, his place at the palace gone, and Solon forever changed. It was almost too much.
Battered though he was, Temaj wanted what Solon had promised. His freedom. And to leave this place at Solon’s side. For that to happen, they must be on equal footing, which meant even more upheaval.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Neku’s question stirred Temaj from his thoughts. “You have a dazed expression, and you’re swaying on your feet.”
The ache in his skull pounded as if to emphasize Neku’s point. “I fell awfully hard.”
Neku lifted a hand to the back of his head and touched it gingerly.
“Ouch.” Temaj hissed.
“Sorry, sorry. I feel a bump, and I think you’re bleeding. Turn around. Let me see.”
Temaj fought dizziness as he spun around. “Is it bad?”
Neku ran gentle fingers through his hair. “Not bad. You were bleeding, but it’s stopped. The skin has split, and a nasty bruise is forming. You can’t sleep with an injury like this. You’ll need to stay awake.”
The moment Neku said he couldn’t sleep, a wave of exhaustion hit Temaj right behind the eyes. “But I’m tired.”
“I know. Don’t worry. We’ll help you stay awake. It’s important.”
“You have to go. The others will need you. My people, Solon’s men, the guards, even Ottah. We must find out what’s happened above.”
“Temaj is right,” said Solon.
Temaj whirled to him. Had more blood helped? He couldn’t focus. Instead of just one Solon two of them wavered in his field of vision.
“You’re needed at the palace.” Solon had wiped the blood off his face, so he looked more like himself. “Take Temaj with you. Find a priest who can see to his wounds.”
“I’m not leaving.” Temaj had a plan of his own, and he wouldn’t be swayed.
“You must,” Solon insisted. “You’re injured. And it’s not safe for you to remain with me.”
“I’m a free man now. You saw to that.” Temaj gestured pointedly to the corpse. “And my first decision is to stay. Challenge me now and lose my trust forever.”
“Plucky.” Solon softened. “It’s for your own good. I’m dangerous. I could hurt you.”
“From now on, I decide what’s in my own best interests. And I need you. Neku says you must keep me awake. You’ll do that for me, won’t you?”
The helpless expression that flittered across Solon’s face nearly made Temaj laugh. Even with his brain rattled, he could still flummox the general with ease, which only endeared Solon to him further.
“If that’s what you want, but I’m not going anywhere, not like this. I’ll be here when you recover.”
“I’m staying.” Temaj turned to Neku. “Do you remember the way out?
“Yes, but I don’t carry the same authority as Solon. The others might not obey me.”
Solon laid his hands on Neku’s shoulders. “They will. You’re my second-in-command. With me gone, leadership rightfully falls to you.”
“But—”
“Listen.” Solon took a steadying breath. “I died here tonight. That’s what you tell the others.”
