“I’m sure your Telroi has much better things to do than accompany me to the Wind Division’s tents,” Braden protested. “I’d hoped to speak to the creators and get more information on their methods. I’ve no doubt she would find such matters tedious and time-consuming.”
Shea restrained her snort, seeing no reason to stop him as his objection helped serve her own purposes, even if he had just cast her as some dimwit unable to pay attention. This, after she had rescued his ass from the mist.
“There you have it. I’m sure the general will be able to get on without me.” Shea gave them both a wide smile, prepared to excuse herself.
“Not so fast.” Fallon’s words had Shea heaving an internal sigh. She tried to tell him with her eyes to leave it, that she had better things to do even if she didn’t know what those things were. “Shea would be the perfect companion since she helped create it and would know more about it and its beasts than any other.”
Shea didn’t know about that. The board’s keeper would know more about the process and the way it was being used.
Fallon’s smile held just a slight edge of wickedness to it. “Furthermore, since she will be responsible for helping you implement a similar board within your own command and other divisions, it makes sense to have her accompany you today.”
Shea blinked and gave Fallon an appalled look. Since when? She didn’t remember any discussion regarding this before.
Braden’s face was guarded as he looked between Fallon’s implacable expression, the one that said he wasn’t going to be persuaded from his course, and Shea’s slightly horrified one. He proved he was not without brains when he nodded. “It would be my honor to have the Telroi accompany me.”
Shea gave him a smile that was little more than a baring of teeth as she grabbed Fallon’s thick bicep and gave him a tug.
“I would like a word with the Warlord before we go.”
Braden’s expression didn’t change a bit as she led a willing Fallon away, Caden and the other two guards watching with similar non-expressions on their face. No doubt each had their own thoughts on the sight of Fallon’s Telroi leading him off. Shea decided to ignore that as unimportant for the moment.
“What are you doing?” she asked Fallon, her voice tight. She didn’t like being blindsided, and she definitely didn’t like being volunteered for something she had no desire to do.
“You said you were bored and wanted a challenge.”
No, she hadn’t. She didn’t remember ever saying anything of the sort.
“That’s not what I meant. You entirely missed the point of our conversation.”
“Did I? I don’t think so.”
“Never once did I say anything about being bored,” she hissed at him.
“Maybe not in so many words. I read between the lines.”
He read—
Shea took a deep breath and released it. Her glare would have sent lesser men scrambling for cover. Fallon’s lips only twitched, and he got a look on his face that said he thought her anger was adorable. It made Shea want to start punching things, preferably that face, just to show him how adorable her anger actually was.
“Fallon, you know that’s not what I meant.”
The humor fell from his face, leaving a solemn and serious expression behind. “Maybe not, but I don’t think I’m that far off-base. Not to mention, you’re the best person for this job. You wanted meaning; this is it. You can make a sizable difference in my warriors’ ability to survive this land. You, more than any other in my army, know what they’re up against. They can use every tool in their arsenal.”
Shea’s shoulders fell and she rubbed her forehead as she looked away.
“You’re one person and while your skills are undeniable, you are limited by the fact you are only one person. I need you to teach others what you know. It’s the best way that I can protect my people.”
He was right. She hated to admit it, but he was.
“Fine.” Shea’s response felt like it was dragged out of her by wild horses. She gave him a sideways glance, noticing the mirth that was threatening to reappear. Her fist shot out, nailing him in the stomach. His breath whooshed out of him.
Braden, a few steps away, looked horrified at her action. Caden lifted an eyebrow but otherwise remained unmoved.
Shea stepped beside Fallon, who leveled a glare on her as he rubbed the place she’d hit. She gave him a negligent shrug that held not even an ounce of remorse. “You wouldn’t want your men to see the Warlord smile, now would you?”
“Well played,” he murmured. Now it was Shea’s turn to bite back a smile. He leaned down, saying in a voice meant for only her ears, “I’ll have my revenge later tonight.”
She arched an eyebrow as she stepped around him before saying over her shoulder, “We’ll see.”
CHAPTER NINE
“WELL, I ASSUME you’d like to visit the board now,” Shea said to Braden as she walked up to him.
His eyes went above her head to where Fallon lingered behind her. “Yes, if the Warlord can spare you.”
“I’m sure he’ll manage without me.” Shea’s voice held an acerbic edge.
“Trenton and Wilhelm will be here shortly; they will accompany you,” Caden said before they could walk away.
“I’m sure my presence will be enough protection in camp,” Braden responded.
“The Warlord has made it clear that his Telroi is to have guards at all times, even while in camp.”
Shea grimaced. She’d forgotten about that, having made it her business over the past few months to slip away from her guards whenever possible. Good thing Fallon hadn’t been around to hear about that. She could only hope Trenton and Wilhelm kept silent. What Fallon didn’t know wouldn’t cause Shea problems.
By the significant glance Caden shot her way, she had a feeling either Trenton or Wilhelm—she was willing to bet Trenton, since he rejoiced at getting her in trouble—had spilled the beans.
“How unusual. She should be trained so she’s not so defenseless,” Braden said.
Shea gave him a look, but kept her own council. He seemed determined to twist everything. Why not let him?
“You are wrong,” Daere said, striding up to them. “The Warlord holds Shea and her skills in the highest esteem. He simply wishes to ensure she is protected from every eventuality, including being overwhelmed by surprise or greater numbers.”
Braden gave Daere a reserved nod, the gesture almost a half bow. Shea looked between the two with unease. The tension between them was already thick enough to cut.
Trenton and Wilhelm joined the group moments later, coming from the same direction as Daere. For once, Shea was happy to see them.
“Now that we’re all here, shall we go?” she asked Braden.
His answer was a sharp nod before he turned and stalked off, his strides long and purposeful. Being a Trateri, he’d probably grown up in one of these camps, so he understood the chaotic organization better than Shea did. The first few times the camp had moved, it had taken her a few days to relearn where everything was. After that, she began to find the pattern in its set-up and got lost less and less frequently.