Guardian (Sequel to Fearless)

Chapter Seventy One

A/N -- Only mildly proofread. Sorry for any little mistakes. Also, graphic content. Be wary.

The march halted. Retreated back, even, if only by a few hundred yards. War tents were pitched on what was currently Remorda Guardian ground. The baron's men didn't attack, just watched from their formation. Meanwhile, Hench flew into what had just been ordained as Master Dyran's tent. She was finding it very hard to breathe. Her heart threatened to pound right out of her chest.

Master Dyran whirled to her at her entrance. By his face, he had been expecting her.

"My son," was all she could manage to say.

"Isn't going to die," Dyran tried to calm her. "I'm not about to let him kill your son. And whoever the other two are either."

Rhalla knew it had to be Renna and maybe Sunny. Dyran's words did little to comfort her. So long as her Dane was in that estate, she'd be terrified. "He's not going to just give him back," she said, reasoning quickly. "My son is the only thing between him and death. He's not going to let him go. Ever. Surely, you know that. He knows that there's nothing stopping us marching once he gives my family back."

"I know," Master Dyran whispered. His green eyes flashed and he took Hench's shoulders. "Which is why we're going to take them back. Tonight." He let go. "And in the morning, all of them will die for what they've done to you. To so many."

"How?" came Hench's question.

"The biggest defense of this place is outside. Once we get in, it's over." Master Dyran began pacing. "It only makes sense that the majority of his force is outside, guarding the main gate out front. You saw the numbers. When day turns to night, we'll stay just close enough to keep them on high alert. We'll send someone in after them through the other side."

"Who?" Hench asked.

"Someone who's not going to get themselves caught." Master Dyran answered. "Someone with experience." He stopped his walking suddenly. "There's one Remorda Guardian in our order who's successfully infiltrated a large-scale fortress before."

Hench blanched. "You don't mean to send..."

"Iris Gwenneth," Dyran finished for her. "I mean to send Iris Gwenneth."

Rhalla took in a deep breath. "Is there no one else?"

"Can you think of better?" came the answer. "It's what she's known for."

"If she fails..." Hench dared to whisper. "She's more leverage against me. He'll kill her... or worse."

"The wicked don't always win," the master did his best to comfort her. "Your sister is very skilled at what she does. You know this firsthand. You attested to it when you appointed her as a Remorda Guardian. Have faith, my friend."

Hench took a breath. "Yes, sir."

"Take comfort in the fact that she won't be alone," Dyran said after a minute, making another decision. "I'm going in with her."

This made the mighty woman cough. "That's..." she couldn't find the words. "But how will you command the army if you're in there?"

"I won't," came the reply. "Which is why I have you, of course. While I'm away, my men are yours."