Page 102 of The Infernal Battalion

“These two will remain,” she said. “Huld, watch them.”

“Winter?” Alex said. “I don’t like it. If Vess decides she wants to hold you responsible for Leti—”

“I know.”

“You have more than your own life to worry about,” Abraham said quietly. “Don’t forget that.”

“I know.” Rationally, this was a poor decision. We should have killed the guards, stolen a boat, and been away from here already. But Leti and the Haeta had helped her, and Leti had paid the price that people who helped her always seemed to pay. I’m not going to let her sister and her friends die, too. “I’ll be back soon.”

Ceft stowed her spear and led Winter on through the forest. More Haeta were waiting, resting against rocks and trees, eating what was left of their dried food, and maintaining their weapons. They all looked at Winter as she approached, though she couldn’t say what emotion she saw in their features. A few called to Ceft in their own language, but she waved them away.

“I told you she wasn’t welcome here.”

Vess was crouched in the dirt with two of the older warriors, sketching crude maps with a stick. She stood when she saw Winter, face frozen hard.

“I told her I wanted a chance to talk to you,” Winter said, before Vess could take out her anger on Ceft.

“Then you’ve wasted your time,” Vess said. “Leti listened to you and ended up dead. We’re done taking your advice.”

“So you’re going to get yourself killed instead?” Winter spoke loudly enough that the whole group could hear. “You know that attacking the fortress is suicide. You’re that eager to take a few Murnskai soldiers with you?”

“What choice do we have?” Vess snarled. “The red-​eyes are close behind us, and ahead is only the river. I would prefer to fight my sister’s killers and drag a few of them to hell than be devoured by demons.”

“The man who killed your sister is dead, Vess. Yath put a spear through his throat.” In truth, Winter didn’t know that for sure—​in the confusion of the fight, she had no idea whose shot had cut Leti down. “Yesterday morning was... awful. But it doesn’t mean every Murnskai soldier deserves to die, any more than you do for killing some of them.”

Vess snorted. “Words. We see where that got Leti.”

“I can get you on the ships,” Winter said, again loudly enough for everyone to hear. “All of you. You don’t have to die here.”

“Winter carried me from the field.” Yath dropped down from a tree branch. One leg of her trousers was still ripped and stained with blood. “She ran here to fetch Abraham, and only by his power am I alive.”

Vess turned on her. “And so you would follow her? Was being shot so exciting you’re eager to repeat the experience?”

“The enemy commander,” Yath said to Winter, ignoring Vess. “Kollowrath. The one who said we would have to sell our bodies for safety. He was at the root of the killing.”

“I know,” Winter said. “Last night Abraham paid him a visit. He’s no longer in command.”

A murmur ran through the Haeta. Vess looked back and forth, furious.

“I’ve spoken to the new commander, Lieutenant Dobraev,” Winter went on. “He’s promised shelter and passage across the river for all of you.”

“Lies,” Vess said weakly.

Winter leaned close to her and spoke quietly. “Why would I lie, Vess? What would I have to gain? If we wanted to leave you behind, we could have done that already. I want to help you, damn it.”

Vess’ fists were clenched, but her eyes were bright with tears. “You should have helped my sister.”

“I should have done a better job,” Winter said. “But it’s for her sake I’m here. She wouldn’t want the rest of you to die.”

“You don’t get to talk about what she would have wanted.”

“Then tell me I’m wrong.”

Tears started to leak from the corners of Vess’ eyes. She crouched, clutching her knees, head bowed, as sobs racked her small body. Winter looked to Yath, who sat down next to the girl and put an arm around her.

“Go and tell the white-​coats we are coming,” Yath said, to murmurs of assent from the others. “We don’t want any more surprises.”

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