The Lords of Valdeon (33 page)

"It will be as you say, my lord. No friend of the bastard prince will set foot within this wing."

Fox gripped his shoulder, questions burning in his eyes. Wolf shook his head and looked down at the children. Such things were best discussed when little ears could not hear them. The innocent nature of children allowed them to see through a ranger's mask to the true emotions hidden beneath the Jalora's magic. He forced a smile for his sons.

Two servants bowed low and opened the doors for them. Wolf gave them no notice. Dulcina had insisted they bring along half the household to San Leonora. It wasn’t her normal practice, but Lady De Vincente would not see her husband and family lowered in the social circles of Court. Wolf left such things to his wife. Dulcina had a gift for politics.

“What high adventures have my men been up to today?" Her melodic voice called from the settee. Dulcina stood to greet them. Wolf’s breath caught in his chest as his lovely wife smiled. After all their years together, she could still command his heart with a look. Her eyes sparkled as they found his.

"Mama!" Gaspar ran to her arms. "Julian and his pet tried to slit my throat, but I kicked him in the shin as hard as I could!"

"You kicked him before he had the knife." Danel stuck his tongue out.

"You weren’t there!"

They began to shove each other about. Danel may have been older and taller, but Gaspar had the De Vincente temper. It was an equal match.

"You aren’t helping yourselves, my sons." Wolf pointed to their Mama who had her arms crossed before her.

"Children, you must leave such things to your Papa. It is his place to protect our family. One day you will join him, but not until you are as tall as he." Dulcina came to stand beside Wolf and wrapped her arm around his waist.

Shock. Rage. It pulsed from the rear of the room. The Wolf’s squire stood with his hand clasped upon the hilt of his sword. His eyes were alight with fury. Basilio was fiercely protective of his adoptive family. He would never go against his ranger’s wishes or speak out of turn, but there would be danger of him provoking De Costa into a fight.

"Here you are, Little Sirs. Your bath water grows cold."

"Basilio, must we bathe now?" The boys began to shuffle.

"I’m certain your good father wouldn’t want his sons going to their beds dirty."

“Indeed not, my sons. Go prepare for your baths. Basilio will join you in a moment.”

Two curly little heads drifted down the hall, dragging their feet. He waited until they were safely out of range. Then Wolf turned to Basilio. He held out his hands. Basilio put Dulcina’s burgundy hair ribbon in one hand and a plain white handled dagger in the other.

“They were found driven in the door of your bedchamber.” Basilio relaxed his mind, allowing the rangers to probe his memories. Wolf was grateful he’d thought to pluck the dagger from the door before the children came home.

“Your apartments are well guarded.” Fox ran his finger along the hole in the wood. “This had to be someone with access to the chambers. A maid from the palace staff, perhaps?”

Dulcina took Wolf’s arm and squeezed it gently. “Someone has made a foolish mistake, Husband. This was simple mischief.”

Wolf smoothed at her face gently. “You attempt to put me at ease, my love. Mischief or no, the person who did this will face my justice. Any who threaten my family must expect their time in this world to be very short.”

Run to the streets of San Leonora, Lord of Valdeon!
The Jalora's command held Wolf in its grip.
Help our ally who faces treachery!

A sharp stab of apprehension pierced his chest. The Jalora stirred, its anxiety compounding Wolf’s own. As with most rangers, the Jalora warned him in times of great trouble. It normally communicated in images and impressions, but not since he first put the Wolf Ring upon his finger had he heard its voice so clearly.

"Squire! Guard my family with your very life!"

Wolf spun toward the door, halting only to wait for his fast-approaching squire. The Lords of Valdeon were beside him, ready to follow their commander into the fray. Basilio marched out into the room with bubbles up to his elbow. A look of understanding passed between them.

"Lieutenant! Kill anyone trying to enter these rooms. I don’t care who they are!" Basilio barked his orders past Wolf's shoulder to the guards shrinking away from the powered-up rangers.

Wolf raced past the soldiers with the young Lords of Valdeon right on his heels. They flew through the glass patio doors, through the gardens and into the main courtyard. A mounted patrol heading toward the gates cantered through the yard. The Lords of Valdeon swept between their horses, outpacing the beasts.

Two long buildings housing the barracks of the palace guards on one side and visiting Valdeonian rangers on the other, boxed in the yard on either side of the palace steps. Rangers and soldiers alike came out of their chambers as the alarm bell's clang sounded. Wolf breathed a little easier. The Jalora's warning must have reached other rangers as well. His family would be safe for the time being.

The Jalora drew them down King's Row and forward toward the busy shops of San Leonora. Darting between the townsfolk, they were streaks of ash on a gusty wind. An urgent prod of power directed Wolf down a small alley. The San Leonora Library's ornate roof peeked over the top of the other buildings. He knew now who they were rushing to save. Jorge Pacarro. The urgent prodding of power was understandable now. Jorge's body was the hiding place for the Regent's Medallion. If he were in danger, it was also.

His keen ranger sight could make out several blades flashing in the distance. The alleys intersected into a small open space littered with trash and discarded crates. The attackers were circling their prey slowly, gauging his strength. One of them cried out as a hatchet sunk deep in his chest. A head of war beads twisted around as its owner yanked the blade out of his kill and brought it up to meet a new opponent. Jorge was bleeding, but still not beaten. His attackers had made the mistake of misjudging their prey. They were discovering how deadly a Pacarro warrior could be in battle, especially when he was cornered.

Beware the high ground!

Wolf stopped at the entrance to the open space, scanning the roof tops above them. Something was suspicious about the scene before them. The men attacking Jorge hadn't bothered to post lookouts to watch for patrols or the Pacarro tribesman's allies. They were leaving their backs completely unguarded. Their confident strikes directed at their victim appeared experienced. These were no amateurs.

Lucio the Ferret bolted forward, racing into the open space. Wolf thrust an arm out to slow the impetuous youth down, but it was too late. The trap had been sprung. An old crate smashed to the ground a few feet to Wolf's left. He chanced a look around the building's corner, turning his gaze upward. A man waited at the top of iron rod stairs attached to the back of the building. In his hand was a musket aimed at Lucio's head.

Jorge's death would please the black-hearted prince holding their leash, but the assassins' true targets were the Sacred Guard. Such disrespect and open treason could only mean one thing. Wolf was losing the fight for Valdeon's stability.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

A musket's boom echoed against the building walls. Stone chips exploded at Lucio's feet. He twisted his body, putting one of his attackers in the sniper's line of sight. Wolf sheathed his weapon and crouched at the corner.

"He has us pinned down, sir." Berto knelt beside him, growling with frustration as another shot struck close to Lucio.

"The gunman couldn't have reloaded so quickly. They have another hidden somewhere." Wolf stretched the Jalora's power out into the rooftops. "Berto, across from us. The other gunman has taken up position in a rear window on the third floor of one of the shops."

Berto nodded. Pulling the hood over his head, he disappeared against the backdrop of brick and wood. The others waited for Wolf's next order. Their two youngest fidgeted slightly at the prospects of their first real battle. Wolf turned his gaze upon them, capturing their attention.

"We aid a friend today, but this battle is larger than such things. Traitors strike at the heart of the Jalora's home. They threaten Valdeon. No mercy will be given to these traitors." Wolf's look was hard. "Attack when you hear Berto's signal for the all clear. I will take care of this gunman."

He bolted forward, staying low against the wall. Above him, the gunman was reloading his musket. Their eyes met. It had just become a deadly race. Wolf gripped the iron rod with both hands and summoned the Jalora's power. His advanced rank in the legion gave him stronger powers than most. He pulled with all the might he had, ripping the iron away from the wall. It crashed to the ground sending the gunman rolling across the stone. He reached for the musket, but Wolf's boot slammed down on the weapon. It broke in two with a loud snap. His blade arched upward, severing the traitor's head from his shoulders.

Glass exploded into the open space as Berto's prey flew through the air. His broken body fell into the midst of the attackers surrounding Jorge. The fighting stopped. Jorge's opponents stood motionless when they noticed the Lords of Valdeon. Fear was on their faces.

"Protect the innocent. Punish the guilty." Wolf's voice thundered around the walls.

The Lords of Valdeon swept into the group of men. Their blades moved with deadly speed, cutting through bone and flesh. Weapons swinging at empty air, the traitors failed to strike the untouchable blades. In moments the battle was over. Only the Lords of Valdeon remained standing.

Tulio the Rabbit stared at the dead as he wiped blood from his blade. Something was missing from his eyes. Wolf regretted Tulio's loss of innocence. He would never be the same again, but he was a ranger tasked with a sacred duty. It was not an easy life sometimes.

"We have seen the Jalora's will done this day. You honor your ring."

He gripped Tulio's shoulder and nodded to Otter. Pride replaced their somber reflections. They sheathed their weapons and joined the other, more experienced rangers keeping careful watch on the rooftops above them.

Jorge wiped his hatchet clean upon one of the dead men's waistcoats. "My eyes are glad to see you, my lords! I thought I was a dead man."

"You very well might have been." Wolf helped him to his feet. "Why were you wandering the streets alone?"

"A man may wander if the mood strikes him, my lord." The beaded head tilted to regard him. "It is the very young and the very old who need show caution."

Wolf grinned reluctantly. "And the very outspoken. You’ve made many enemies in San Leonora."

"One more vengeful than the rest, I dare say." Fox kicked at one of the bodies. "Julian has many pets."

"His valet, Armando, is particularly deadly. It cornered me like a bloodhound."

"It?" Fox lifted a fine eyebrow.

"Julian has brought a creature of evil among us. I knew the man, Armando. He was one of Leo's Lion Friends. No marks appear on this creature's arm. I believe we are dealing with a changeling. It showed me its true nature a few moments ago. Some magic hides its sharp ears and inhuman black eyes."

"Are you saying a mythical creature is running around the Palace of Kings?" Otter's youthful face struggled to hide his skepticism.

"Not for long." Wolf eyed the rooftops uneasily. "We'll take care of Julian's valet soon. Right now, we must meet with the other rangers. Jaguar. Take point. Ferret. You're with me."

Wolf pulled Lucio aside. He was furious with the young man. His impetuous act had almost gotten them all killed. He folded his arms and gave the young ranger what many subordinates had come to call Wolf's "I'll make you wish you were back home" look.

"Jumping into a circle of blades without a plan was foolhardy."

"But, Jorge was in trouble." Ferret's words faded when he looked into Wolf’s face. "Yes, Wolf."

"You’re a leader of men now." Wolf tapped on the dark green crystal of Ferret's Heart of the Warrior Ring. "The men who follow you will watch your every move. If you’re impulsive, they’ll fear your actions. Take time to make a clear-headed decision and they’ll respect you, because they know you respect their lives."

Ferret nodded and looked down at his boots. Wolf noticed Jorge had turned his head and was listening. The tribesman nodded his thanks to Wolf.

"Well, Jorge. I think young Ferret’s skill with a blade has already surpassed his father."

The young ranger looked up with a mix of surprise and pleasure. Flattery and other such sentiment were not easily pried from Wolf's lips. Such nonsense served only to distract men away from the pursuit of bettering oneself.

"My young lord is impressive." Jorge nodded sagely. "It is a pity his father was not here to see him fight. Cesar will burst his buttons with pride!"

"You’ll have your chance to tell the tale. We’ll take you to the ranger quarters where it’s safe."

"Yes, well I had better tell the tale well. I'm sure I'll have more than one proud father listening."

The other young rangers began to swagger up the alley, pretending Jorge’s compliments didn’t please them.

Wolf took the lead as they moved through the backstreets. Anxious to avoid more traitors, they used their cloaks to move about unseen. Jorge managed to match their pace though he was wounded. Sending the Jalora's power of sight and perception before their path, Wolf found friends rather than foes awaiting them. Two rangers stepped out of the shadows and saluted as their group approached Stallion’s Gate.

Owl stepped forward. "We've put the palace guard on high alert, sir. What has happened?"

"My Lord Pacarro was ambushed by friends of the bastard prince. Have a guard put on Armando, Julian's new valet. Tell them to show care. He's dangerous. Come, we must go to HQ."

"Owl, fetch the legion doctor. I will escort the Lords of Valdeon to Headquarters." The other ranger, Griffin, pulled his blade.

"Yes, sir." Owl saluted and then hurried toward the infirmary.

"The others await us in the hall." Griffin led the way through the palace gates.