Guardian (Sequel to Fearless)

Chapter Eighty Four

Baron Riasion stood in front of Captain Anderfail. "They've gone. They've all gone," his old, bitter voice spoke. "We've won."

The captain finished refreshing the bandage on his arm. The pain was enough to make him near cringe at his own touch. Master Dyran had crippled him, there was no doubt of that. "For how long?" Anderfail asked.

"I can't say. Let us pretend for the rest of our days until there is a sign of their return." A smile passed over his lips. "Good work to your First Squadron, by the by. By your leadership and training, we managed to bring back in the girl that got away. We brought in Rhalla Gwenneth. She sits in the dungeons now, until I get ready to handle her. I heard she fought like mad -killed countless men."

"She's talented." Anderfail was no liar. "What will you do with her?"

"That depends on how our chat goes. How is your arm?"

"What needs done?" came the straightforward reply. Captain Anderfail was never known for mincing his words -nor was he known for ever showing weakness.

"The ones we lost should be reigned back in. I want Irila and Elliot Gwenneth back. I want Azabela Stryder, the woman who got away from you, if she still lives. I want Dane Gwenneth. I want them as soon as you can get them for me." There was a pause. "Unless, of course, you want your son, and then I'll make an exception. He is, after all, yours."

"I have no time for a son --especially one raised so poorly." Anderfail raised a brow. "I'll get them for you. I assume that is your command."

The baron nodded.

"What of Iris? What of Rhalla's sister?"

"Ghost still hunts her." The sound of distaste was apparent in Baron Riasion's voice. "He certainly takes his time."

"You didn't leave the task to me."

"You sound reproachful. "

"You underestimate me," was all Anderfail said.

"You underestimate her," the baron countered. "Iris Gwenneth went into a foreign country, and slaughtered the leader of their army in his own home. A commander. Consider that. We are not such a large-scale operation." There was a pause. "Ghost is responsible for a great many deaths, and he's known to be the most competent assassin in Eldia, if you know where to listen. He was responsible for the death of the former General Rothstead, even. He seems a reasonable suit to combat her. And perhaps I can never be sure of his success, but at least my own captain is not having to waste time and resources chasing after a shadow. You have bigger things still to worry about."

"I'll get your Azabela. I'll get your Dane. I'll retrieve the parents, all the same." Captain Anderfail raised a brow. "You'd do well not to lose them... again."

The baron pursed his lips at the direct criticism. "Just as you would do well to direct your men in such a way that losing them isn't a possibility."

Yes. There was a bit of enmity between the two men. It had always been there to some degree. Sometimes, it had been inconvenient. Still, theirs was a relationship built on business rather than camaraderie. It had always been functional enough to see the job done. "Perhaps you might show me how it's done, then. I'm sure your military mind far exceeds my expectations of a baron."

"Just as my gold that I pay you with," Riasion said. It was almost a threat.

"Which you earn, in part, by my sword, and the women I now bring you."