Meta Gods War 3 Read online

  “Looks like the wolves fell back,” the veteran soldier said.

  “Go stop them from following,” Brice said. “This reeks of an ambush. We’re pulling back.

  “Yes, sir.” The soldier jogged off.

  “Too damn clever,” Brice said. She pulled her helmet off and threw it on the ground. Her hair blew in the wind and streamed out behind her. She grunted and gripped the pommel of her sheathed sword.

  “We’re supposed to be hunting them,” Cam said. “But it feels like they’re hunting us.”

  “Turning our own tactics around.”

  “Get your men together. We’re going back to camp. We need to figure out what to do with all this.”

  She nodded once and locked eyes with him. “You know something.”

  Cam turned away from the soldiers. He stalked toward a pair of large pines and tore off a clump of needles. He let them drift down from his fingers onto a group of large grey pitted rocks.

  “I saw Lycanica,” he said.

  “You did— what?” Brice stood and stared at him.

  “I was out climbing with Sirrin,” he said. “And Lycanica came to me. She warned me that she wouldn’t allow us to defeat her armies. That she’d kill us all.” He looked at Brice and felt his face tighten with anger. “She said she’d let me run away if I left that day.”

  Brice let out a sharp laugh. “You’re right. I almost don’t believe you.”

  “It’s true.”

  “Lycanica showed herself to you. An actual god appeared before you and spoke.”

  “I know how it sounds.”

  “I’m not sure you do.” She shook her head. “The godlings don’t talk about their gods much. And they certainly don’t let Humans meet with them.”

  “I’m not sure the godlings can really control what their gods choose to do.” Cam said. “She was… something else.”

  Brice stomped her boot. “The wolves are killing us,” she said. “And you sound like you’re in awe of their god.”

  “You would be too, if you met her.”

  “Cam.” Brice banged her glove against her armor. “Tell me you’re not starting to rethink things.”

  “No,” he said. “Of course not. But I think Lycanica is directly in charge of them now.”

  He wanted to tell Brice about how scared Felin was of Lycanica, but he kept his mouth shut. Felin made it seem as though the wolves would do whatever the goddess commanded, no matter how atrocious or difficult. If that were the case, then Lycanica would have complete control over her forces. But he wasn’t sure Felin wanted him talking about that, and he didn’t want to betray her trust.

  “Which means our entire strategy is at risk.” Brice cursed and turned her back on Cam.

  “Not necessarily,” Cam said. “But we are going to have to rethink how we’re doing this.”

  “You don’t want to meet them head on. But your plan of baiting them into attacking the Mansion doesn’t seem like it’s going to work either. How can you expect to win this war?”

  “I’ll figure it out,” he said. “This isn’t some game with easy right and wrong answers.”

  “I know what’s right.” Brice let out a frustrated snarl. “We need to kill the bastards before they hurt our people.”

  Cam moved closer to her. He could see blood splattered on her armor.

  “We will,” he said. “But we have to be smart about it.”

  “I’m a heavy infantry commander,” she said. “I don’t care about smart. I care about smashing the skulls of those damn animals.”

  “And I care about getting this army through this alive.” Cam held a hand up, palm out. “You need to trust me, Brice. We can’t fall into the same trap we wanted to build for the wolves.”

  “And what trap’s that?” she asked.

  “Fighting among ourselves,” he said. “We need to work as one.”

  Brice’s eyes narrowed as she shook her head. “I guess that’s why you had Felin torturing men.”

  Cam went still. “I didn’t know about that.”

  “But you put her up to it. She’s your little personal police force, isn’t she? Your spymaster?”

  “Yes,” Cam said. “But I didn’t know how far she was taking things. When you warned me, I went out to her.”

  “And you saw it?” Brice asked.

  “I saw what she was doing. That won’t happen again.”

  Brice grunted again and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and seemed to steady herself.

  “I know you’re right,” she said. “If we keep going down this path, nothing good will come of it. But I’m just so angry.”

  “I know,” Cam said. “I’m angry too. We have to be smart about it though.”

  She nodded once, sharp and deliberate.

  “Thank you for listening to me,” she said. “About Felin.”

  “Of course. I trust you, Brice, and I promise I’ll do my best to listen to what you have to say.”

  “That’s more than the old Generals ever did,” she said. “Shit, Cam. I lost my cool for a second. My blood’s still up from the fighting. I know you’re doing your best.”

  “I understand.” He tilted his head. “Let’s get the men organized and start the march back to camp.”

  “Yes, sir.” She gave him a tight smile. “Whatever you say, sir.”

  He watched her turn and walk back to the men. She barked orders as he lingered near the trees.

  Wind whipped through her hair and he wondered how much of the blood on her armor was from her own men.

  He gripped his sword to steady himself and followed in her wake.

  21

  Cam stood in front of his gathered general staff and leaned his palms against the pitted wooden table. The table was buried under maps and notes. Cam felt the weight of his father’s sword tug at his hip.

  Miuri tilted her chin toward him. She’d come into camp several hours earlier covered in road dust and sweat.

  “I gathered you all here to speak about the future of this army,” Cam said.

  He saw some of them flinch. Key looked dour, her light eyes somehow devoid of their usual sparkle. Brice’s face was ashen. Several of the minor Captains stared at each other like they could hardly believe this was happening.

  “But first,” Cam continued, “Miuri brings news of the Mansion.” He gestured to her and sat back down.

  Miuri cleared her throat. Her blonde hair was pulled back in tight braids. She wore a simple green and gray tunic and still looked all the more stunning for it.

  “The main wolf host followed the army,” she said. “They pulled away from their original position and left only a skeleton crew at their former camps.”

  “How many?” Key asked.

  “Several thousand,” Miuri said. “They’re dug in tight. I’ve never seen the wolves build fortifications like these.”

  “Does your father have the numbers to match them?” Cam asked.

  “We do,” Miuri said. “I believe the wolves left three thousand, and we have five. Plus, Galla is already conscripting more men and women and believes she can add another three to our numbers.”

  Cam let out a breath. “Of course she is. That woman could wring blood from stone.”

  “My father believes we can make a move on the smaller force left behind,” she said. “He doesn’t think they know we still remain in the Mansion.”

  “Or else they would’ve left more,” Key said.

  “It could be a trap,” Brice said. “The damned wolves have been extremely clever. Or… at least their commanders have been.” She gave Cam a meaningful look.

  Cam did his best to ignore it. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “Trap or not, Haesar and his men aren’t any help to us if they stay within the Mansion walls.”

  “That is exactly what we were thinking,” Miuri said.

  “Marching on a fortified position will be tricky,” Key said. “You have numbers, but not by much.”

  “My father believes it’s possi
ble,” Miuri said.

  “And this is an opportunity.” Cam leaned forward over the map and tapped the spot where the smaller wolf encampment lay. “If Haesar can take the wolves here, they can sweep up along this pass.” He moved his finger along the thick, textured parchment paper. “And hit the wolves from their flank here.”

  “That could solve a lot of our problems,” Brice said. “We might be able to turn and stand.”

  “I still want to cut them off from the north,” Cam said. “Break their supply train. If they can’t get reinforcements, and they can’t get supplies, they’ll get desperate.”

  “And then what?” Theus asked. “We wait for them to starve?”

  “It’s a big valley,” Key said. “Lots of game. Lots to eat.”

  “It’s big, but not that big,” Cam said. “We’re talking thousands of hungry wolves.” Cam leaned back in his chair and stared at the maps before looking back up at his assembled men. “The original plan isn’t working. The wolves didn’t take the bait, so we have to adapt. The new strategy will be simple. We keep marching north, keep chewing away at the wolves as they stalk and shadow us. We wait for Haesar to break the smaller force. Then we’ll turn and make a stand.”

  Grim faces stared at him. Cam knew what he was asking. Before, their plan meant the army would get to sweep up from behind and smash a vulnerable foe.

  But now he wanted them to fight a formidable enemy head-on.

  Thousands of men and women would die.

  He knew what he was asking.

  But now that Lycanica seemed to be in control of the army, he needed to put her in a position where her clever tactics didn’t matter. Brice was right, they needed to turn and fight.

  Sooner or later, it would come down to strength of arms.

  Cam leaned over the table and traced a path along the valley on the largest map. Such a simple thing, and yet those miles meant all the difference in the world.

  “We survive until Haesar can join us,” Cam said. “If we allow the wolves to catch up, they’ll overrun us. Without Haesar’s men, we’re at a disadvantage. So now the game’s a little different in the long run, but it doesn’t change much for us today. So go speak to your troops, make sure they’re getting what they need, and prepare to move out in the morning.”

  His general staff stood and filed out. They spoke in low tones to each other. Cam thought he saw some flash him angry looks but he tried to ignore them.

  Key came to him, kissed his cheek. “You’re doing good,” she whispered and tried a smile, but it looked hollow.

  He took her hand. “You need to rest,” he said.

  “No rest for me,” she said. “I’ve got a bunch of road-weary warriors to manage. This’ll be over one day, and then I can rest.”

  Cam squeezed her hand and released it. He knew she was right, and if she were just another General, he wouldn’t be so worried.

  But this was Key, his Key.

  She turned and left the tent. Brice and Theus followed.

  Miuri lingered in her chair.

  Cam leaned back and looked up at the tent roof. “When did things get so hard?” he asked.

  “They were always hard,” Miuri said. “But before, you weren’t the one shouldering everything.”

  “Now I wish I hadn’t killed Remorn.”

  Miuri laughed. “You liar. We both know that was the right thing to do.”

  “Sometimes I wonder.” Cam looked back down at Miuri. “How’s Galla holding up?”

  “She’s doing well,” Miuri said. “Restructuring the Wardens into more of a police force. Lots of people don’t like that.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “But she’s keeping everything together, which is what she wants.”

  “And your father? Gwedi?”

  Miuri raised an eyebrow. “Asking about Gwedi?”

  “I know she hates me, but she’s been around a lot. Just curious how they’re holding up.”

  “They’re fine,” Miuri said. “We keep our distance in the Mansion and avoid your people as much as we can.”

  “That’s probably for the best, even if it shouldn’t be.” Cam reached a hand out and Miuri took it. “I told Brice about Lycanica.”

  Miuri chewed her lip. “About what you saw with Sirrin?”

  He nodded. “I think she’s running the army,” he said. “It’s the only thing that makes sense. Before, they were fractured and barely cohesive. Now they’re setting traps and working as a unit.”

  “You might be right.” Miuri squeezed his hand. “All the more reason to fight them.”

  “I feel alone out here.” He stared into Miuri’s eyes. He almost forgot how she made him feel when she was around. It was like having a second body, a second skin, like he knew no matter what she’d be there to pick up where he left off.

  “You’re far from alone.” She smiled and tilted her head. “You have Key and Felin.”

  “They’re both busy,” Cam said. “I need them working. Theus is training to become a shaman and—”

  “Theus is training to become a shaman?” She sat up and frowned.

  “Oh, right.” Cam pulled his hand back and gestured. “I have this idea, maybe it’s stupid, but I’m starting with him. I can imagine an army of shaman, fighting the wolves. If they have Lycanica, then we’re going to need magic to protect ourselves.”

  Miuri drummed her fingers along the table. “And you’re sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Not at all,” Cam said. “Sirrin seems to think it’s a horrible mistake. But I’m starting with Theus and I’ll go from there.”

  “Just be careful. What you can do… it’s dangerous in the wrong hands.”

  “I’ll be careful,” Cam said. “You sound just like Sirrin.”

  She smiled and shrugged. “I guess he’s not so bad then.” She got up and came around the table. She pushed Cam’s chair back then sat in his lap and leaned her head against his chest.

  Cam wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

  “I need to leave again,” she said. “I’ll have to travel hard so I can tell my father the plan.”

  “I know.” Cam held her tighter, her body warm and soft against his. “I love you, Miuri.”

  “I love you too.”

  He kissed her hair. She tilted her head and met his lips.

  They stayed like that for a while. Cam couldn’t tell how long, but it didn’t matter. The lamplight dimmed as Miuri stood, stooped to kiss him one more time, then slipped away without a word.

  Cam leaned back and let out an exhausted breath.

  Then looked back over the maps and began to plan.

  22

  “Shut your eyes.” Cam crossed his arms over his chest.

  “You keep telling me to shut my eyes,” Theus says, “and then you kick me.”

  “So what?” Cam asked. “You think the wolves are going to come up and give you cute puppy kisses?”

  “Cam—”

  “Close your eyes.”

  Theus clenched his jaw and sat up straight. Cam walked around his friend, circling him slowly. They were alone in a clearing within shouting distance of the camp, but far enough away that the constant noise wasn’t too distracting. Theus wore a pair of loose trousers and an old white tunic stained with road dust and tree sap.

  Theus let his hands hang limply in his lap. Cam nodded to himself and Theus shut his eyes.

  “Concentrate,” Cam said.

  “It’d be easier if—”

  Cam kicked him in the back. Not hard, but hard enough to make his friend grimace.

  “Shut up,” Cam said.

  Theus grunted, sat up sat straight, and didn’t move.

  “Concentrate on my voice,” Cam said. “Picture this. There’s nothing, just black—”

  “—where I’m going to end up if you keep doing this,” Theus said, grumbling.

  Cam kicked him harder in the shoulder. “Do you even want to learn?”

  “Yes,” Theus said. “Okay, a
lright. I’ll shut up.” Theus took a few deep calming breaths.

  “Picture this,” Cam said again, “there’s nothing, just black. The voice is there, it’s a part of you, but also separate from you. It’s like a limb, but it’s also not. Picture this. The void fills you, swirls around you, is you.”

  Theus didn’t move. Cam continued to pace around him.

  “Picture this,” Cam said. “In the voice, lemon flowers recall olden times.”

  Theus frowned. Cam kicked him in the shoulder.

  “Picture this,” Cam said. “Flowers above the night’s moon. Roasting leaves. Liquor poured on a fire.”

  Cam kicked Theus in the back. Theus didn’t move.

  “Picture this,” Cam said. “Candle flame in the void flickering formless against the black. It breathes like a heartbeat. It grows bigger, grows taller, grows thicker until it flares into an inferno. You are that inferno.”

  Cam stared at Theus then kicked him in the shoulder.

  Theus rolled onto his side and let out an annoyed groan. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to do,” he said.

  “I’m trying to get you to concentrate and picture what I’m describing,” Cam said. “Now get back up and try again.”

  “Oh, Cam.” Another voice from the trees. “Are you abusing your friend?”

  Cam watched as Brice made her way toward them with one hand on the pommel of her sword.

  “He’s beating me bloody,” Theus said. “Send help.”

  Cam kicked at him but Theus rolled away laughing.

  “He’s a terrible student,” Cam said. “I’m starting to think I made a terrible mistake.”

  “Maybe you’re just a terrible teacher,” Brice said. “I never learned when my training master beat me. Only after the beatings, when he explained why he took me down so easily.”

  “That’s what I keep saying,” Theus said. “The kicking just isn’t necessary.”

  “If we weren’t in the middle of a war, maybe it wouldn’t be,” Cam said. “But you need to learn ten times faster than I ever did.”

  Theus got to his feet and stretched. “And how’s that going?”

  “So far, terrible.” Cam shook his head. “Maybe I have it all wrong.”