Bright We Burn (The Conqueror's Saga 3)

Nicolae rode in front as their leader. He stopped beside Bogdan to talk with the scout. They were still a few hours from the fortress, so the scout must have been sent to look for them. Lada worked her way closer so she could eavesdrop. Insects just beginning to reemerge from the deep freeze of winter flitted through the crisp air, landing on trees speckled with green hints of buds. Getting here had been a muddy, roundabout trek, but they had to make certain they had Janissary uniforms and arrived after Radu.

“What is the plan at the fortress?” Nicolae asked.

“You do not know?”

Nicolae shrugged, indifferent. “We go where they tell us. We were told to come here. That is all I know.”

“You frontier forces are as bad as spahis sometimes.”

Nicolae moved closer, toying with the hilt of his weapon. His pleasant voice took on a dangerous tone appropriate to that level of a Janissary insult. The spahis were the elite, landed men, not the lifetime soldiers Janissaries were. There was no small amount of rivalry between the two. Spahis had the privilege, but Janissaries had the prestige and often the preference of the sultan. “You should take that back,” Nicolae said.

The man waved his hands. “Sorry. It can be frustrating, being stationed at an outpost. We get all the news but none of the action. We are here with some pasha. The bitch who declared herself prince of Wallachia is on her way to sign new terms of vassalage.”

Nicolae picked idly at his teeth. “Why do you need so many extra men for that?”

The scout shrugged, scratching under his signature white-flapped cap. “You heard how many she killed in Bulgaria?”

Nicolae grunted. “We were in Serbia. Been marching ever since. I still cannot believe the numbers.”

“Well”—the soldier leaned closer conspiratorially—“they gave me no specifics, but I have a feeling we are not really here to make a deal. Too many men, and a wagon with bars and shackles. I think we are here to take her back for punishment.”

Lada bit back a smile. It was gratifying that Radu still knew not to underestimate her. He had laid a trap to accomplish her same goal. She almost laughed at the irony of going to kidnap her brother, who was here to kidnap her.

Nicolae actually laughed. “Easy enough to take one woman. I still do not understand why you requested so many extra men. I hate traveling during this time of year. Snowstorms just when you get comfortable. Rain otherwise. Mud everywhere. It takes forever to clean my uniform.”

“After Bulgaria, I think the pasha is spooked. Wants extra protection.”

“How many men already in the fortress?”

“A thousand.”

“Hmm.” Nicolae sounded mildly impressed. Lada was flattered. It was a significant investment of men for what they anticipated to be easy trickery. The Janissary troop they had ambushed and killed on the way here had been two hundred strong. So she had two hundred of her men with her, and another five hundred following at a distance.

“How many men do we expect her to bring?” Nicolae asked.

“No more than a personal guard. I like our chances.” The Janissary laughed brightly. “You should be glad you got such an easy assignment.”

Nicolae grunted. “Good thing it will be easy, since we will do all the work, as usual. I met Radu Bey once years ago, at the siege of Kruje. He had to wear brown pants to cover constantly shitting himself in fear. He still that way?”

“I would not know. He is not here.”

Lada hissed in surprise. Bogdan coughed to cover the noise.

Nicolae rushed another question. “But I thought Radu Bey was the lure? He is her brother, is he not? Who would come but him?”

The scout paused, eyeing Nicolae with sudden scrutiny and doubtless regretting his loose tongue. “I thought you did not know much about this.”

Nicolae grinned. “I am full of surprises.”

Lada drew her knife, jumping in front of the scout and knocking him to the ground. She straddled him, her knife against his throat.

“Who are you?” he gasped.

“I am the bitch who butchered thousands. Tell me: How do you like your chances now?”

His face went white.

“Where is Radu?”