Tae knew that corresponded to Bearn.
"They only have about a third as many men here and even fewer here."
The Western Plains and the open west coastline. Tae used the lining cloth, and the napkins, to mop up the spilled wine.
"I'm thinking," Fallon continued, "we could send a diversionary force toward their main body, then hit them hard on the west coast. It might take a week or so for their main force to reach us."
Tae dropped the soaked cloth into the basket, using the remaining napkins to dry up the last of the liquid and the tiniest pieces of glass. He glanced up in time to see Firuz' face locked in a tight grimace.
"No," the Kjempemagiska finally said. "We will attack them at their strongest point. If we can't best them there, we will never win this war. And, if we can, we will have won it in a single battle." He added with an actual hint of compassion, "And, in the long run, we will lose fewer soldiers by not splitting our ranks, diversionary or otherwise."
Tae tossed the butter crock and bread into the basket, on top of the sodden linens. If the alsona sailors were like his own people, Tae knew they would not worry about the condition of the ruined food, only about the taste. They would snack well on what the generals would no longer touch, so long as they avoided the glass shards.
The generals' conversation descended into strategic details involving the commanders and battalions; and, with his cleaning finished, Tae found it safest to leave. As the discussion became more finely honed, he understood fewer words, especially punctuated by given names, ship names, and titles.
Swiftly, Tae headed up the stairs, through the hatch, and onto the deck, quickly lowering the door behind him. The instant it closed, something bumped against it. Fear seized him. Did they figure me out? Is someone coming after me? He drew back into the shadows, watching and waiting, but no one came.
Tae set the basket down as his heart rate subsided to normal. "Imorelda," he whispered, glad the cat had followed his orders to hide. She had been right to brag about her stealthiness; even in broad daylight, knowing she was aboard, he could not find her.
The cat did not reply, with presence or mental voice.
"Imorelda," Tae called, a bit louder.
A sailor appeared from around the mainmast and studied Tae quizzically. "Did you say something?"
Tae shook his head, frowning. "No. Did you hear something?"
The sailor did not reply, only studied Tae more carefully in the full sunlight. "Who are you?"
Tae thought it best to stick with as much of his story as possible. "Jaxon. I came with General Fallon." He peered about cautiously, hoping he would spot Imorelda, and the sailor would not.*Imorelda,* he mind-called carefully, worried she might still have him attuned to the alsona's level. She would hear him, but they would also.
The sailor continued to stare. He did not seem to notice Tae's call. Yet, suddenly, his expression changed from curious to suspicious. He drew a wicked-looking knife from his belt, its blade curved and serrated. "Answer my question… Jaxon."
"I did," Tae insisted. "I told you-" It occurred to him abruptly that the man had asked something mentally. And he had not heard. Which meant Imorelda had dropped the alsona's communication level, she had passed beyond range of their connection, or she was dead. No. Tae refused to accept the latter possibility. Then, little things came back to haunt him: the light touch as he descended to the captain's quarters, the lost footing, the bang against the hatch as he closed it. She followed me down. A worse realization struck him. And she's still stuck there.
Knife leading, the sailor lunged for Tae so suddenly he dodged more from instinct than intent. As he whirled to run, Tae seized the handle of the basket and hurled it toward the sailor. He did not pause to see if it hit. Though he had lost his mental connection, Tae could imagine the call of "intruder" touching every mind above decks.
A grunt reached him, then a cry, followed by the pounding of many footfalls on the deck. Tae risked a glance back as he rounded on the hatch. Men raced toward him from the fore, sailors with knives, soldiers with swords, and even a few dragging out small bow-like weapons to which they were fitting strange, metal arrows. He could scarcely believe they had mobilized so fast.
Tae thought he could make it to the rail, barely, if he did not slow; but he would not leave Imorelda behind.With hardly a thought to his own survival, he snatched at the hatch and jerked it open.
Imorelda emerged, puffed up and hissing. Her mind touched Tae's for an instant, then disappeared as she noticed the crowd bearing down upon them.
Saving her proved Tae's downfall. He twisted as he moved, trying to minimize himself as a target. A sword stroke meant to decapitate him gashed through his right shoulder and slammed against bone. The impact hurled him leftward, saving him from a skewering from a second blade but sending him tripping over the hatch, into an uncontrolled spin toward the port stern. *IMORELDA!* Tae screamed, not caring if she had them on alsona level. Without solid wood between them, she should hear him.*Grab on, and don't panic!* Easy advice, impossible for either of them to obey. Another blade carved a crazy arc across Tae's back, partially protected by the resilience of the garment he wore. *Imorelda!*
Appearing out of nowhere, the cat flung herself at Tae's chest. He caught her without slowing, flinging himself desperately toward the rail. The hammer of footfalls, the shouts of the soldiers and sailors, the lap of the ocean all blended into one indecipherable noise. Then, Tae found himself airborne, falling in a spray of salt water and his own blood. Arrows whizzed around him. One nicked his ear. Another crashed into his back, piercing deep through muscle and into his chest. *Got him!* someone crowed.
I'm dead, Tae realized. The peace it brought put the world in slow motion. He heard nothing but a toneless buzz, saw only the vast blueness of the ocean rushing up to claim him, felt nothing but the cold kiss of sea air against his skin. Then, he hit the water with a slap that brought everything back into focus. A mass of arrows fell around him, slowed to a crawl by the thickness of the water, except for the one that pierced his left thigh.
Still clutching Imorelda, Tae dove, watching the water turn scarlet around him. The cat went crazy in his arms, clawing, biting, twisting in a berserk attempt to free herself from the enclosing depths. The more she fought, the tighter Tae winched her, forcing his legs to move. They had to come up in a different spot or risk another hail of arrows or worse. He hoped they would not be able to follow the blood trail. They may not, but the sharks eventually will.
In the shadow of the bow, Tae finally dared to surface, still grasping a sodden and deadly ball of fur.
Once she filled her lungs with air, Imorelda finally gained enough composure to speak.*You stupid, stupid two legs!You tried to drown me!*
Tae's every breath was agony. Bloody froth bubbled from his mouth, and his shoulder ached so badly he could barely move. He wanted nothing more than to close his eyes and surrender to darkness, to let death quietly take away the pain. Imorelda, he reminded himself. You have to get her home. The only thing firmly settled in Tae's mind was that he would not allow a loved one to die for his folly. Imorelda deserved to live, and Matrinka needed the cat for her sanity.*Imorelda, just listen.* Tae let his head sink backward, allowing the ocean to bear its weight.*Tell Matrinka they have five generals and one magical leader.*
Imorelda climbed onto Tae's uninjured shoulder, shaking out the water.*Tell her your damned self.*
Tae appreciated that the mental conversation did not require breathing. He could never have gasped out that many words.*Imorelda, just listen. Five generals and one magical leader.The whole force will come directly against Bearn. Can you tell her that?* *No, you cat drowner. I'm not telling her anything.* *Imorelda.* Tae did not have the energy to argue, even in his mind. He dared not move from beneath the bow for fear of another attack. *Quiet!* Imorelda commanded.