Chapter 367

Arran glanced at Muna . “You’ve been in the Desolation,” he said . “What’s it like?”

“Worried about your captain?” she asked . She shook her head, and continued, “As I told you before, I can’t tell you about the Blight . “

They were sitting atop one of the tall hills that overlooked the mining camp, eating a small meal of fresh bread and cold meat while watching the priest grant the mercenaries their citizenship .

Even from a distance, Arran could see that the white-haired man looked weary . And no wonder — already, the man had turned over a hundred mercenaries into proper Darians, and although he barely spent a minute on each of them, it still added up to hours of work .

“I know you can’t tell me about the Blight,” Arran said . “But what about the Desolation itself?”

He’d asked Muna about the Blight many times, and each time, her answer was the same: that only those who traveled into the Desolation were allowed to learn of it .

Arran thought the law ridiculous, but he had some suspicions about its purpose .

While Muna claimed it was a matter of honor, he doubted that was the real reason . Rather, if the Imperium forbade talk of the Blight, then he figured the situation could only be dire — dire enough that Imperium’s leaders feared that the truth would cause a panic .

Still, he thought he could get her to reveal at least something .

Not because he was asking about the Desolation instead of the Blight — that was merely an excuse he offered, and a weak one at that . But rather, because he knew that she still hoped to convince him not to go .

And indeed, she gave him a hesitant look, appearing to be on the verge of breaking .

“I’m not asking to hear any secrets,” he said . “I just want to know enough to make up my mind . “

Finally, she sighed . “I suppose there are some things I can say . Not about the Blight, but about the other dangers the Desolation holds . “

“Other dangers?” Arran asked, his curiosity instantly awakened .

Muna nodded . “The Desolation is the front line in our battle against the Blight, but it also serves as a proving grounds . Every year, many thousands travel to the Desolation — untrained youths to stand watch at its borders, and ambitious warriors to travel deeper into the ruined wastes . “

Though her meaning was subtle, Arran understood it at once . “With so many people looking to prove themselves,” he said, “I imagine that they fight among themselves, as well?”

“They do,” she replied . “The Desolation is a place to prove one’s worth, but also a place where alliances are both forged and broken . And if one’s enemies happen to disappear… well, many who enter the Desolation never return . “

Arran took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm and suppressing the urge to loudly curse the Imperium .

“And a group of outsiders would have no shortage of enemies,” he finally said .

Muna gave him a small nod in response, and Arran could see there was a hint of shame in her eyes .

“Not all Darians hate outsiders,” she said uneasily . “But there are many who do . And if a group of outsiders takes the glory they believe is rightfully theirs…”

There was no need for her to finish the sentence . Arran already understood the situation .

In the Desolation, he could expect to face not just the Blight, but Darian warriors as well . And between those two threats, the latter might well be every bit as dangerous as the former .

“That’s why you should wait,” Muna continued, her tone growing firmer as she spoke . “Lord Rannoc is a generous ruler . A few years in his service, and you’ll travel into the Desolation with a Lord’s backing and his troops at your side . ” She gave him a sideways glance, then added, “Perhaps you’d even have a Knight by your side . “

Had Arran been a Darian, the offer would have been a tempting one . But as it was, he did not have years to spare .

Not to mention that he had no wish to get too deeply involved with the Darians — not with war on the horizon .

For several moments they sat in silence, Arran trying to find the right words to tell Muna that he had no plans of remaining .

But as he glanced at the camp, he noticed that the priest had finished his work with the mercenaries . And now, the mercenaries were gathering around someone — the captain, most likely .

“It seems the priest completed his task,” he said, glad for the distraction . “We should go take a look . I think the captain is about to make an announcement . “

Though Muna looked disappointed, she followed Arran down the hill and back into the camp, where the mercenaries were still gathering around the captain .

From the look of it, nearly all the members of the Wolfsblood Company were present, and those few who hadn’t yet arrived were already hurrying over .

Several more minutes passed as the last of the mercenaries arrived . Then, when it appeared all were there, the captain called out, “Wolfsblood Company!”

The mercenaries responded with a roar of enthusiastic cheers, and when the noise finally died down, Kaleesh continued, “Today, you have become citizens of the Imperium, free to choose your own path . “

Again, a round of cheers sounded, though less enthusiastic than before . Between the Imperium and the Wolfsblood Company, it seemed the mercenaries favored the latter .

“Lord Rannoc has asked me to relay you an offer,” the captain went on . “Any among you who so wish can enter his service, to become soldiers under his command . Those who take the offer will be well-rewarded, both with training and with riches . “

This time, jeers and laughter sounded among the mercenaries . Yet Kaleesh silenced them off with a sharp gesture, then said in a loud voice, “I encourage you to accept his offer . “

The crowd went silent instantly, shocked looks on the mercenaries’ faces as they stared at the captain .

Just moments earlier, they had booed and jeered at the suggestion of joining Rannoc’s forces . Yet now, their leader was urging them to do just that .

Several seconds passed in silence, with the mercenaries dumbfounded at the unwelcome surprise . Then, a voice sounded, “You’re abandoning us?!”

“I am not,” the captain replied . “Any of you who wish can accompany me . But the path I must take is a dangerous one . Even with luck, most of those who join me will not return . “

“So you’re leaving us behind?” one of the mercenaries shouted, a shocked tremble in his voice . “Just like that?”

Kaleesh shook his head . “Those of you who enter Rannoc’s service will be joined by Gar and Lasha,” he said . “And when I return — if I return — the Wolfsblood Company will be formed anew . “

At this, Arran cast a curious glance at the captain . The only reason he could imagine for Gar and Lasha leaving was if Kaleesh had ordered them to do so . Otherwise, he was certain no amount of danger would scare them off .

More questions and objections came from the crowd, all of which the captain answered patiently . Yet although the mercenaries were clearly shocked by the announcement, eventually the truth sank in .

That wasn’t the end of it, however . When the mercenaries’ questions ran out, Kaleesh had them split into two groups — those who would join him and those who would take Rannoc’s offer .

Some small part of Arran had expected — or hoped — that the mercenaries would take the first choice, to join the captain and himself in traveling to the Desolation .

Yet Kaleesh had told them again and again how dangerous it would be, repeatedly stating that joining him meant near-certain death . And though the mercenaries might be brave, the captain’s dire warnings proved effective — all the more so because he’d made no mention of rewards .

In the end, barely fifty mercenaries chose to join the group that would travel to the Desolation . And even their eyes held some doubt .

The others looked no less doubtful, but they gathered around Gar and Lasha nonetheless . Arran could see shame in some of their faces, but shame and doubt notwithstanding, few of them hesitated in joining the larger group .

As Arran watched the mercenaries say their goodbyes, he suddenly realized that Muna was looking at him .

“You’re joining him, aren’t you?” she asked . “Traveling to the Desolation, despite the risk . “

Arran nodded silently .

“No need to look so uncomfortable,” she said, giving him a small smile . “In truth, I knew it from the start . I could see it in your eyes . You don’t have the look of a man who’s ready to give up his adventures . “

Before he could respond, she suddenly stepped forward, then briefly kissed him before stepping back again .

“But maybe that will change after you’ve seen the Desolation,” she continued, speaking as if nothing had happened . “If so, visit me when you return . ”