Clanless Read online

  “It’s too dangerous.”

  “I won’t be alone, Ginger.” She sighed. “Who knows? I might be safer away from this camp than in it.”

  Joshua seemed to consider that. “I don’t like it. We shouldn’t split up.”

  “We don’t have a choice.” Zo understood how he felt. When you’ve gone through something as traumatic as escaping the Gate, you tend to hold tighter to the people you care about in life.

  “When will you go?” asked Joshua, his head sunk low.

  Zo surprised him by pulling him into a tight embrace. He was just barely taller than her, making it easy to rest her head upon his shoulder. She tried to infuse love, strength, and peace into the touch but knew that nothing extended from her beyond the surface.

  She couldn’t even give that final gift to Joshua.

  “Be careful. Please protect Tess.” She released him from her hug.

  Stone approached. His head was newly shaven and a dark beard filled his face from ear to ear. “Are you ready?” he asked, eyeing Joshua with a frown lost in facial hair.

  Tess chased another little girl in a circle around Zo and Joshua. Zo caught her by the back of collar, earning a wild complaint from Tess. “You said I could play!” Her words died when she saw Stone.

  Zo knelt in front of her sister and commanded control of her emotion. “I’m sorry, bug. There’s something I need to tell you.”

  As Zo explained, Tess’s whole body seemed to sag with the weight of Zo’s lie. Images of Tess as an adolescent, as a young woman, and a grown woman flitted across her mind. She’d be so beautiful, far more lovely and warm than Zo could ever be. Zo could only imagine the lives she might save and the love she might offer those around her. No doubt she’d marry and have children one day. Maybe a little girl whom she could teach the healing art—just like their mother had taught Zo.

  “I don’t want you to leave me,” Tess whimpered.

  Zo’s control broke and a tear streaked down her chin. “I know, bug. Leaving is always hard. But Joshua will stay with you. You’re now officially the healer of the camp.”

  Tess smiled sheepishly and hugged Zo. “I’ll miss you,” she said.

  Zo kissed them both, forcing herself not to think that this would likely be the last time she’d ever see them again. “Look out for one another.”

  Following Stone to the edge of camp, she remembered something important. She sprinted back to Joshua and said, “Whatever you do, don’t let Tess follow me. She has a habit of doing that.”

  Chapter 19

  Gryphon, Talon, and Raca slowed as they reached a clearing that bore all the signs of the Nameless camp. It was the second abandoned Nameless campsite they’d seen that day.

  Gryphon collapsed next to a trickling stream, not bothering to take his pack from off his shoulders, too tired to even roll over and stick his face in the water to drink.

  Talon and Raca didn’t fare any better. “I can’t keep this pace much longer,” said Raca. “I just want to clean the layer of dirt from my skin and sink into my bed.” She flinched, probably thinking of how she might never go back to her home, her bed, again.

  “Father will secure you a very fine bed once he reaches the Allies,” said Talon, reading his sister’s mind.

  “Yes, and he will offer it to Sani, because he is his favorite.” Raca smiled as she pulled off her boots to let her small feet soak in the stream. “Ah, that’s better.”

  Gryphon might have joined her if he had the energy to pull off his boots.

  “If you stop fighting his wishes and marry, father would make sure you had a hundred fine beds,” said Talon. He was back to chewing on his dried meat rations. “Then perhaps we could both stop these tiresome travels.”

  “I thought you were ambassadors,” said Gryphon, only just realizing how strange it was for the son and daughter of a chief to be wandering around the region on their own. Chief Naat had hundreds of men at his disposal to act as emissaries. Why risk his children with such a dangerous task?

  “We are ambassadors, but my father sends me out with Talon, partly because I’m his best archer and my brother needs looking after, but mostly because he hopes I’ll find a worthy husband and Talon is the only chaperone he trusts.”

  Gryphon’s confusion must have shown clearly on his face, because Talon jumped in to add, “Father has two heirs in me and Sani. He hopes his daughter will marry the chief of another clan to bring stability to the region and further his influence.”

  Raca rolled her eyes. “That’s one of the reasons we went to the Allies. Father wanted me to attach myself to Commander Laden since he’s become the most powerful man in the region, apart from Barnabas.

  Gryphon pushed up into a seated position and dropped his water skin into the stream. “How did you do?”

  Raca laughed. Not an unpleasant sound. “Commander Laden is old enough to be my father. Besides, I didn’t get the impression that he was looking for a wife.”

  Gryphon had a difficult time believing Laden wouldn’t notice Raca. She was young and very pretty. She didn’t seem like the type that would lead men to disinterest.

  Raca said, “His mind is only for his cause. He’s obsessed with overthrowing Barnabas. He eats, drinks, and sleeps it. I admire his drive, but I want a husband closer to my own age.”

  She held Gryphon’s gaze and then quickly looked away. “They say that Murtog’s wife was killed in the last Ram raid.”

  “The Kodiak Chief would squish you!” said Talon.

  Raca grabbed a handful of mud and flung it in her brother’s face. “Eww.”

  Talon laughed, unrepentant, and scraped mud off his cheek. “The Kodiak are too wild. Besides, I’ve heard that a good portion of them left the caves. The clan is scattered. Some men, when their families were murdered or taken as slaves, joined the Clanless. Others traveled to the Allies. But Murtog refuses to leave his caves.”

  “Just like your father refused to leave the Nest,” said Gryphon.

  Raca shrugged. “People cling to tradition and fear change. That’s what makes your flight from the Ram so remarkable, Gryphon.” She tugged on her boots and climbed to her feet. “You didn’t have to leave, but you loved Zo enough to change the world for her.”

  Gryphon’s cheeks reddened. “I haven’t changed the world.”

  Raca frowned. “Right now we are tracking people who are free because of you. You did that for Zo, am I right? You left your home, your people, your family … all for her.”

  “Enough.” Gryphon didn’t want to be reminded about what he left behind. His pride. His family home and friends. His own mother. They would all hate him now.

  “You changed the world for her.” She nodded, satisfied that her point was made.

  Gryphon cleared his throat. “These tracks are only about a day old. We should intercept them tomorrow.” He wandered around the woods picking up dead branches and snapping them over his knee to break them down for firewood.

  “She’s lucky to have you,” said Raca.

  Boar waited for Stone, Zo, and a small contingent of weary Nameless men a mile outside the charred remains of camp. They guarded eight Nameless who knelt in their midst, their hands bound behind their backs. Most of the Nameless captives’ clothes and all of their shoes were missing, stolen by the desperate Clanless.

  Only a Clanless would bother stealing the shoes of a former slave.

  At Stone’s command, the handful of men that acted as his guard stopped twenty yards away. Zo stepped up to Stone’s side with her hands clasped in front of her, arms locked straight and knuckles white with fear.

  “You came,” said Boar. His gaze rested on Zo, and he showed his yellow teeth in a frightening grin. “I’m glad.” He gestured down to the Nameless at his feet. “I think they’re glad, as well.”

  “We will make the trade, Boar, but you stole nine of my men. I only count eight.”

  “I didn’t realize Nameless could count,” sneered Bo
ar. Then he shrugged like it didn’t matter. “Our agreement changed when you refused me. I planned to kill one of your men every night you prolonged our arrangement.” He nudged one of the men on the ground with his boot. “Like I said, this lot is glad to see you.”

  “You filthy—”

  “Take your men and leave the girl, and my band of Clanless will not bother you anymore.” He almost sang his offer. His smile was so wrong that Zo took an involuntary step backward. Was this man psychotic?

  Stone’s skin turned a reddish hue. The muscles in his neck and jaw flared like he’d enjoy nothing better than to detach Boar’s head from his neck.

  Zo touched Stone’s shoulder, trying to calm him before he tried to kill Boar with his bare hands. “Do this for Eva, Stone. Do it for your men and those suffering in camp.”

  Stone nodded and exhaled out his nose, but couldn’t manage to speak, so Zo spoke for him. “We have a deal,” Zo said. “I will go with you, but first you need to let our men go.”

  Boar licked his lips. He flicked his wrist at one of his men—the same gesture he gave when he had the Nameless woman’s throat slit.

  “Don’t!” cried Zo.

  But instead of cutting another throat, Stone’s men cut the ropes binding the Nameless. The men struggled to their bare feet.

  “Good,” said Boar. “Now walk to me, my dear.” He rubbed the side of his nose with his thumb and licked his lips again.

  Zo took one steadying breath then reached inside her shirt pocket and handed her letter to Stone. “Give this to Commander Laden. It explains everything and will ensure a future for the Nameless, as well as Tess and Joshua.”

  Stone’s eyes asked forgiveness as he accepted the missive.

  “Walk!” shouted Boar.

  Zo flinched under the command but hiked up her pack and stepped away from Stone and his guard. The walk lasted a lifetime. Each step marked a hundred days with those she loved that she might never experience. A memory of time wasted that she’d never get back. She should have told Tess more stories about their parents. Why didn’t she teach her the lullabies their mother used to sing to them when they were small? Tess would never sing them to her children. Those precious memories would die with Zo.

  Zo stopped just outside of Boar’s reach. “Now let them go.”

  Boar nodded and the Nameless men scrambled away from their wild captors. Zo felt their stares at her back. Their guilt. Their relief.

  Boar held out his hand, like he was talking to a young child or perhaps a very close friend. “Come along, Healer. We have ground to cover.”

  Zo would rather swallow a knife than take his hand. But there was a wild glint to his eyes. Unsteadiness in his outstretched hand. For some reason, the cruel side of Boar didn’t frighten her as much as the calm and calculated side. She had a distinct impression that the longer she played the docile creature the longer she might live.

  And she needed to live to teach Tess those lullabies.

  Zo reached out and accepted Boar’s hand.

  Chapter 20

  The next morning Gryphon ran with more energy than he had since leaving the Nest. Today he would see Zo and Joshua and Tess.

  My family.

  It was strange how people had the ability to create holes in your life. With them, he knew the emptiness he’d felt for abandoning his clan would be filled. A little voice in the back of his head reminded him that he would still never be welcome with the Allies, but he shoved the thought aside. There was too much to be grateful for today to worry about the trials of tomorrow. With the people he cared for by his side, everything would find its way of working out. It simply would.

  Gryphon reached the crest of a hill and, not three hundred yards away, saw the Nameless caravan trekking through the sparse, blackened forest. “Praise heaven.” Finally, he’d see Zo and mark the task of emotionally bringing her back from the dead complete. He took off at a full sprint, leaving Raca and Talon to trail behind.

  “Zo! Joshua!” He shouted with all the breath he could spare. “Tess!”

  People from the Nameless caravan stopped and turned back. When they saw him closing the distance, some cowered while others ran around in a panic. Gryphon couldn’t blame them. He likely appeared as wild as any Clanless they’d encountered on their journey south. A motley line of men formed a barrier between Gryphon and the rest of the people. They linked rudimentary shields and held Ram spears in their hands. All aimed at his chest.

  Gryphon stopped twenty yards away with hands raised to show he held no weapon. He gaped at the men before him—former slaves of his people—poorly mimicking Ram formation. Talon and Raca appeared beside him, breathing hard.

  Before anyone had the chance to exchange words, a redheaded boy burst through the line of men, knocking one Nameless to the ground as he sprinted for Gryphon. “I knew you were alive! I told her you were! I knew it!”

  Another, higher-pitched shout sounded from behind the line of men and then Tess appeared on hands and knees, crawling between the legs of bewildered men who only now seemed to recognize Gryphon.

  Tess scrambled to her feet and ran toward him just as Joshua tackled Gryphon to the ground. The boy wept openly, unable to wipe his tears fast enough. “Gabe told Zo they killed you. She hasn’t been herself. Everything is going to be all right now.”

  Tess jumped and squealed as she landed on the pile of Ram. Gryphon wrapped her into a big hug then held her at arm’s length to get a better look at the enormous smile that seemed to reach every corner of her tiny face. Her striking eyes, so characteristic of a Wolf, shone through the dirt on her cheeks. Eyes like her sister’s, but with just a bit more green. “You precious girl.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her in for another hug. “I’m so relieved you’re safe.”

  Tess put her hands on his cheeks and whispered a little blessing. Feelings of peace and tranquility emanated from her small hands.

  “You’re improving, little one.” Gryphon tapped her on the nose and the spell was broken.

  “I’ve needed to,” said Tess. She cupped her hand to Gryphon’s ear. “Zo’s not well. She’s losing her gift, but she doesn’t want anyone else to know. Not even me.”

  Zo was a remarkable healer. The idea of her losing her gift seemed about as likely as the sun setting tonight and not rising tomorrow. Healing was a part of her.

  “Where is she, bug?” Gryphon scanned the crowd of Nameless that had gathered. It was strange that Zo hadn’t come out to meet him like Joshua and Tess. Did she regret kissing him? Did he complicate things with Gabe so much that she wished he’d never returned? The thought didn’t feel true, but then neither did the idea of Zo caring for him to the degree he cared for her.

  Stone stood at the front of the group of Nameless refugees with Eva at his side. The grim look on the crazy leader’s face made the bottom of Gryphon’s stomach drop out. He climbed to his feet with Tess and Joshua still firmly planted at his sides, and together they walked to meet Stone.

  “Gryphon,” said Stone, his tone matching his name. “We need to talk.”

  Boar’s hand was a dead fish, cold and moist. He led Zo through the woods with the small contingent of men surrounding them. A handful of larger men with shaved heads and full beards clustered at the rear of the pack. They constantly glanced over their shoulders to see if they were being followed.

  “No one will come for me. You can tell your men to relax.”

  Boar smiled. “I should go back and kill every one of them if they don’t make an attempt to get you back.” He shook his head. “You are a valuable asset, my dear. A young Wolf healer is a fine prize. But a young Wolf healer hunted by the most powerful man in the region is a prize even greater than all the gems in the Kodiak Caves. The Nameless are fools for letting you go.”

  “How do you know about Barnabas?” asked Zo, stunned.

  “I helped get the information out of one of his scouts a few days ago.”

  Was that why they ha
dn’t seen any other scouts? Had Boar’s band of Clanless killed them?

  “So you’re taking me back to Ram’s Gate?” She kept her face forward, unwilling to so much as look at the man who still insisted on holding her hand. “What do you hope to gain from Barnabas?” asked Zo.

  The Gate! She couldn’t go back to that place. She couldn’t!

  Boar licked his chapped and peeling lips. “My citizenship.”

  “And your men?” Zo looked around at the concave faces of the Clanless.

  “Theirs too,” grunted Boar, but something about his tone was off. Did the others not hear the lie or were they blinded by the hope of belonging to the most powerful clan in the region? Barnabas would never accept anyone other than a Ram into his clan unless they offered themselves up as Nameless. Several of the men encircling them looked like they might pass for Ram, but the giants in the back of the group were decidedly Kodiak in origin. They’d be killed the moment they passed through the gate.

  The smell of fire warned that Boar’s camp was nearby. They reached a steep rock wall, and Boar released her hand as he navigated the rock face. When he reached the top shelf, about twenty feet up, he called, “Your turn, my dear,” his smile more menacing than a hundred threats. “That is, unless you’d like one of my men to help you?”

  The idea of any of these men touching her propelled her to the wall. She managed the climb without any difficulty and dusted off her hands at the top.

  “Such valuable hands,” said Boar. “I hear the man who entices a healer is wealthy for life.” He stared at her hands entranced, then blinked hard and shook his head. “I felt your sister’s touch. Her little hands brought me a great deal of peace. I can’t imagine what a more experienced healer might be able to do.” He licked his chapped lips again and smiled. “Perhaps you’ll show me before I return you to Barnabas.”

  The urge to spit in Boar’s face nearly overtook her. Instead, she ignored him and scanned the horizon and the view their raised position offered. She felt his stare. It was a sticky film on her skin, leaving her violated and somehow worthless.