Page 38 of Tribute to the Alien Warlord

"The fishermales?" I inquired about our males, who weren't warriors, but the only ones of my clan hardy enough to brave swimming in the Dark Sea at these temperatures. Their mission would be a suicide mission, but they were prepared to swim to the Vandalls' boats if they came any closer and light the ones on fire our archers wouldn't be able to reach yet.

Not many, if any, would make it back to the stronghold. The water was just too cold. But each male was a volunteer and ready to give his life to protect these walls and the people within.

Only the lead ship now, larger than the others, kept moving toward the shore. On deck, I noticed dark figures clad head to toe in furs moving about.

"They want to parley," I observed, then yelled at a warrior, "Tell the stables to get Vespa saddled."

"I will go with—"

I broke Cassair off, shaking my head and putting a hand on his shoulder, "Nyck. I need you here. One of us has to command the defenses if this is a trap."

Cassair didn't look like he liked my order, but I knew he understood.

"And Cassair," I added with a dark face, "no matter what they might do to me, you are not to open these gates to them."

Cassair obviously didn't like that order either.

"That's an order," I emphasized. "No matter what."

Cassair lifted his arm and placed his hand on my shoulder, looking suddenly years older because we both knew that Vandalls were not to be trusted. This parley could be a trap to capture me and force their way into my keep. There was no way in hell I would ever allow that to happen.

Vandalls were a race of their own—brutal, bloodthirsty, and honorless when it came to their enemies. They did not mix with other races and if their raping resulted in a pregnancy the kallini was disposed of the moment they found out she was with child.

They were so feared because they plundered and murdered indiscriminately. Their ways of torture were well-known and dreaded. Smaller keeps than mine opened their doors to the Vandalls, hoping for a swift death rather than being tortured over days if they couldn't hold them off.

"You have my word," Cassair said in a heavy tone.

"Don't let her see," I warned, not having to explain whoherwas.

Cassair nodded. "May the gods be with you."

"You might need them more than me," I joked, but he didn't laugh.

"It has been an honor," he said instead.

I chuckled. "I'm not dead yet."

His eyes told me that he believed I was as close as one could get and I shook my head in mock amusement. "A bit of trust would be nice."

Cassair ignored me. "How many warriors will you take?"

I would have loved to say none, because I didn't want to put the stronghold even more at risk by reducing the number of defenders. If the leader of the Vandalls had foul play in mind, I was condemning whoever I took with me to certain death as well as me.

Not taking any was out of the question though, because one, I feared Cassair wouldn't allow me to leave without them, and two, the Vandalls would see it as a sign of weakness. If their intentions were in fact honorable, I would only tempt them by making a target of myself.

"A hundred," I said. "All volunteers, Cassair."

"As you wish. Go say goodbye to your mate. I'll make the arrangements."

I shook my head. "I'll leave that to you once she comes looking for me."

"Coward." This time Cassair chuckled.

"You know it," I agreed.

I hated leaving without giving Alahna the chance to say goodbye. She would undoubtedly hate me for it, but if I could spare her the worry for as long as possible, it would be worth it.

"Tell her that I know she loves me," I told Cassair quietly as I stepped by him.

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