Thirty-Three

Sext, Two Days Before the Kalends of June

A Room in One of the Few Standing Buildings at Eastpoint, Bahim, Drum

“Taylor Keys,” said Hazel. “We must be ready for her this time.”

“What of the Councillor himself,” said Yidd. “Will he grace us with his presence?”

Hazel bit her lip. “It is possible. The men need to strengthen their Connexion. If they allow Keys into their Minds, the battle is over.” After a pause she added, “it will all be over.”

“And who will do that,” said Yidd.

“Do what.”

“Strengthen their Connexion,” said Yidd.

“Oh,” said Hazel. “I will do it personally.”

Yidd nodded and left. Damien, who had been in the room the whole time, chuckled. “This is it then, Captain?”

Hazel turned to look at him. He took a swig from his bottle. “You ought to stay sober, for what is to come.”

“I mean no impudence, Captain,” said Damien, smiling. “But may I ask what is in that flask of yours?”

Damien laughed when he saw Hazel turn pale. “Not a worry, Captain,” he said. “I will not ask for a taste. I am satisfied with my lot.”

“I —” began Hazel, but Damien dismissed her with a wave.

Before Hazel could find the words to explain herself, the door burst open. Damien and Hazel turned around. It was Kimberley Jones.

“Captain,” she said, paused to catch her breath, then continued, “Floyd is awake.”

Without replying, Hazel took off. Kimberley Jones had to jump to get out of the way.

Outside, Eastpoint, Bahim, Drum

Hazel almost ran straight into Logan. Logan caught her in his arms. She looked up at him.

He looked different. Hazel looked into his face to try to ascertain what had changed, and eventually came to the uncertain conclusion that something in his eyes had changed. His eyes looked deeper, and perhaps slightly greener.

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“How are you feeling,” said Hazel.

Logan smiled, and when he did so the unfamiliarity in his face eased slightly and Hazel felt a rush of relief. She looked down at his chest, which was slightly exposed through the tunic. He saw that it was clean.

“Your wound,” said Hazel. “It has healed already?”

“It appears so,” said Logan, without looking down.

“There is no scar,” said Hazel, running her finger down his chest.

“Hazel,” said Logan.

Hazel looked up.

“Tell me what is happening,” said Logan, in a tone that Hazel had never heard before.

Hazel withdrew her finger from his chest. “After you left for Jack,” she said. “Brendan Garth went to Gulldon and took it. But Keys knew everything. He always did. While I left Larkins to find you, he sent his eldest, Taylor Keys. She took Larkins, easily. Garth was surrounded. He tried to push to Tarrin but he was routed.”

Hazel hesitated for a moment, then said. “The few that escaped Taylor Keys is here. Garth and the others… I do not know what happened to them.”

“Taylor is coming,” said Logan.

“Yes,” said Hazel.

“I will face her,” said Logan.

“You —”

“How many men do you have,” said Logan.

“We have thirty-four,” said Hazel.

“You take them,” said Logan. “Rout them from behind.”

Hazel could only nod in reply. Logan turned to go, but Hazel grabbed him by the wrist. Logan stopped and turned.

“I need to talk to you,” said Hazel.

An Old Ironmonger’s Shed Now Used as Hazel’s Private Room, Eastpoint, Bahim, Drum

Logan looked around the shed. It was empty except two dozen rusty tools pushed to one side and a frayed straw mat on the other. It smelt faintly of a dead animal. The only window in the shed was smashed open, and streaks of dried blood ran down its edges.

Hazel sat down on the straw mat, and Logan sat down beside her. Logan waited for her to speak, but when she did not he turned to look at her, and saw her eyes welling with tears.

“Hazel —” said Logan.

“I am afraid,” said Hazel.

Logan watched as a singular tear ran down her cheek.

“I am afraid that I was wrong,” said Hazel. “I am afraid that what I have been fighting for, however noble, however grand, cannot measure up to the number of men who died for it. And I am afraid,” Hazel turned to look at Logan. “That I am sending the rest of them to die. And for what?”

Logan said nothing, and Hazel continued on. “And I know that it is absurd saying this to you, when you have been telling me all this time what I am only realising now. And especially when you have now decided to fight for reasons I cannot comprehend. But I need you to tell me that this was all worth something.” Hazel placed her hand on Logan’s. “Please, Logan. I need you to tell me that.”

“No,” said Logan.

Hazel breathed in sharply.

“I cannot tell you that,” said Logan. “Nobody can tell you that. Nobody can tell you whether your path is righteous or evil.” Then Logan placed a hand on Hazel’s chest. “But you have begun this journey because you believed. There is a part of you that still believes.”

Hazel looked into Logan’s eyes and thought, yes his eyes may be different, but it is Logan, unmistakably so. She nodded.

Then suddenly both of them lifted their heads up sharply. The battle was close, whether they wished or not.

Logan stood to leave, but Hazel pulled him back down. She threw her arms around Logan and kissed him. Logan raised his hand to her waist, but then dropped it back down onto the mat. Hazel reached her hand into Logan’s tunic, but Logan pulled away.

Hazel looked as if she was going to erupt into tears again at any moment.

“Meet me here again,” said Logan. “After the battle.”

Hazel grit her teeth. Then, after a moment, she nodded.