Janco waited by the horses. “All four had those boxes. What’s in them?”
“Criollo.”
“Holy snow cats! That’s…” Words failed him, but only for a moment. “Bad. Really bad. Terrible!”
“I’m aware.”
“What are we going to do?”
“Youare going to catch up with Ari and General Ute and get to MD-5 as fast as possible.” He held up a hand, stopping Janco’s protest. “The Commander needs to know about this. He needs to discover if this shipment was sent before or after Brazell was arrested. And if there are more caravans out here. Hopefully, Brazell kept good records of the shipments and they weren’t destroyed when they burned the factory down.”
“And you?”
“I’m following that wagon to its destination.”
Janco’s brows puckered in concern. “Will you send a message to the Commander once you get there?”
“Either that, or I’ll destroy the Criollo before I return.” When Janco’s pinched expression failed to smooth, he added, “Don’t worry about me. Worry about getting the general to the manor house without being delayed.”
“Yes, sir.” Janco mounted Lovey and saluted. “Safe hunting.”
“Thanks.”
Valek waited until Lovey was out of sight before he ate a quick meal and then returned to watching the caravan. Firelight flickered inside the travel shelter, and a warm yellow glow lit the windows. He spread his bedroll on a hidden spot that had a good view. It would be another frosty night. Eventually, one of the drivers came outside to guard the wagons. During the long night, they took turns on duty.
Two more nights of the same routine and, by the third evening, Valek was ready to put on a disguise and join the caravan in the shelter, claiming to be a fellow traveler. Instead, he suffered another bitter night on his bedroll, catching only a few hours of sleep.
By the end of day four, they had traveled well into the northwestern corner of MD-4. Another day’s travel would bring them to the Six-Pointed Star—it was the place where the borders of six Military Districts all converged. When the Commander took over Ixia, he drew a big diamond around the castle on the map then he marked the eight Military Districts, ignoring natural borders like rivers, mountains, and forests.
The caravan turned southeast instead and reached MD-4’s garrison. Valek hung back and watched as the wagons were admitted into the military base.
He gaped as they trundled through the gates as if expected. More questions bubbled. Did someone intend to use the Criollo to gain control of the entire garrison? Was General Tesso involved?
It was too vital to waste time speculating. He needed to get inside. Scanning the walls and seeking toe holds, he— Laughed. The lack of sleep had dulled his senses. If anyone had full access to one of the Commander’s bases, it was Valek.
He spurred Onyx, heading toward the gate at a gallop. The guards spotted him and stood in front of the wooden barriers with their hands on the hilts of their swords.
Their lieutenant stepped from the guard house. Everyone tensed as Onyx approached. Valek slowed his horse and halted next to the lieutenant.
“Who are you? And what’s the nature of your visit?” the lieutenant asked.
“That caravan that just came through. Who approved the delivery?”
“That information is confidential. I believe I asked you a question.”
“You asked me two.” Valek opened his cloak. Weapons were drawn. The sharp blades flashed in the moonlight. Slowly, he revealed the two red diamonds stitched onto the collar of his uniform. “I’m Adviser Valek, and I need to know about that caravan.”
Uncertain, the lieutenant squinted at Valek, then glanced at Onyx. “Can you join me in the guardhouse while I send for my supervisor?”
Valek dismounted and tied Onyx’s reins to the gatepost. “As long as you also send one of your people to keep an eye on that caravan. I want to know where they unload their cargo.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Make it fast, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, sir.”
With the lieutenant watching his every move, Valek waited in the guardhouse. At least it was warm. Impatience thrummed through his veins. He really needed to visit the garrisons more often. Perhaps when the Commander toured the military districts, they could stop at the bases as well.
