Eckbert cackled. “Too true. I will have our people prepare a place for them to sleep. Perhaps some of your men will like to visit the oasis with our women.”
Ilyra gave him a disgusted look before casting her eyes up to the ceiling with a beleaguered expression. “Our women aren’t broodmares for you to trot out to tempt men with, you old fool.”
Eckbert looked affronted. “I never said they were, but if the opportunity presents itself and the two parties would like a little alone time, I’m not one to stop them.”
Chirron and Van looked a little startled at the exchange, neither one looking like they believed what they were hearing. Even Shea was a bit startled at the extent of Eckbert’s desire to see the women of his village impregnated. It just wasn’t a view typical to the Lowlands where they guarded their women’s virtue with a rigorous zealotry. They treated them by turns like precious treasure or valuable livestock whose bloodlines needed to be preserved. The Airabel villagers did not seem to prescribe to that same thought process. Judging by the way a few women were eyeing Fallon and his generals, Shea was willing to bet Eckbert’s wishes would be honored at the first opportunity.
Fallon opened his hands and gave them a fierce grin. “Now, shall we enjoy this feast you’ve put together for us?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“HAS HE said anything yet?” Fallon asked Caden upon arrival. Caden had had the foresight to move the man to a different part of the camp. One where Shea wouldn’t easily be able to overhear her former companion when he screamed.
“Yes. The man won’t shut up.” Caden gave the tent where their captive waited a disgusted look. “Nothing he says seems to be of any consequence, however.”
Darius snorted. He’d invited himself along to the interrogation. Braden had remained behind in the treetop village with Chirron and Van. Fallon hadn’t been happy leaving Van up there, knowing the other man tended to be brutal to those the Trateri conquered. There were also rumors of how he treated the opposite sex. Nothing concrete, however.
Despite that, Fallon had faith the general would keep him in check.
“Let’s see if we can jog something loose, shall we?” Fallon gave Caden a wolfish grin. It had just a hint of brutality to it.
Fallon stalked past him and into the dark space inside the tent. There was a small brazier lit on one side; it was the only light now that night had long since fallen. The Airabel villagers knew how to throw a feast and had kept Fallon and the others long past sunset. Coupled with the long journey down the tree in the dark, it was well past midnight.
“Look who has returned. The conquering warlord, master of all he sees,” Reece said upon seeing Fallon. He had a sly smile on his face, the expression that of a fox who thinks it’s cornered a mouse. Only Fallon was as far from a mouse as one could get.
He didn’t respond to the greeting, choosing silence as he crossed his arms over his chest and settled a dark look on Reece.
“Oh, scary. Does that look often win you confessions?” Reece refused to be cowed.
The man was foolhardy. Cocky and arrogant when surrounded by danger. Fallon couldn’t bring himself to respect him. He was a showboat. Fallon didn’t see much resemblance in the skill and poise Shea possessed and this boy’s cocky assumption that no harm would befall him.
A small movement in the corner drew Fallon’s attention. Witt stood behind the captive with his arms at his sides and a considering expression on his face.
“What can you tell me?” Fallon asked.
“What kind of question is that?” Reece asked. “Do you think I’ll just answer?”
Fallon leveled a calm look on the other man. “I wasn’t talking to you.”
Reece blinked in confusion.
A slight tug at the corner of Witt’s lips spoke to his amusement. “He’s definitely a pathfinder. My guess is he’s not been assigned to a specific post. He’s skilled, but his arrogance keeps him from advancing further in their ranks. It’s probably why they put him on this assignment. He’s expendable.”
Reece face nearly turned purple with insult. “I’ll have you know that I’m considered one of the best in my age group, and they don’t consider me expendable in the least.”
Fallon raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Is that why they sent you on a suicide mission?”
Reece snorted. “Hardly. Shea won’t let you kill me.”
“Do you see Shea anywhere near here, boy?” Darius asked at Fallon’s back.
Fallon hunkered down getting in Reece’s face. “Shea does not make the rules in my army. I do. She might be upset about your death, but by then it will be too late.”
For the first time Reece looked a little uncertain. Good, the little shit finally understood just how serious this was. It wasn’t a game. There would be no calling a halt if Reece decided he didn’t want to play anymore. Fallon was deadly serious and there was nothing he’d like more than to relieve this man of his head.
“I’m her cousin. She’d never forgive you.”
Fallon stood up. Hm. That might put a wrinkle in things. He didn’t let that stop him though. “It might take a long time, but I have a feeling she’ll eventually come back around.”
Reece snorted. “You don’t know Shea very well, then. That woman holds a grudge like no other.”
“It might be worth it just to shut you up,” Witt said, poking Reece in the back of the head.
Reece shrugged and tried to duck away from Witt. He didn’t get far, restrained in the chair as he was.
“What is it that you want?” Fallon asked. He was tired of the games. He wanted to be in bed holding his woman, not here interrogating a fool.
“Didn’t you get the note?”
Fallon’s jaw ticked. “You mean the note you invaded my space to leave on Shea’s pillow.”
“Yeah, that note.”
Caden scoffed. “This boy is an idiot.”
Darius’s expression made it clear he agreed. “How is he a pathfinder? I’m beginning to revise my opinion of them after meeting him.”
“He is not typical to their ranks,” Witt said, never taking his eyes off the other man.
“What’s the big deal? The note was very clear. Shea can come back home and even bring the little friends she’s made.” Reece’s expression made it clear he had no idea why they found the note so offensive.
Fallon snapped. He’d crossed the space in seconds and grabbed Reece’s shirt, jerking him and the chair he was still tied to half off the ground. “The big deal is you trespassed in my space. You violated the room I share with my Telroi. Worst of all, you seek to take what is mine. I have killed men for less. I have destroyed villages and salted the earth they rested on so nothing could grow again for offenses not even half as grave as the insult you gave. That is the big deal.”
Reece’s head flopped around on his shoulders as Fallon shook him with every other word. Fallon’s voice rose until it was a thunderous roar in the small space. The other three made no attempt to separate him from his victim, looking on with bored expressions.