Second draft. The exposition wasn't quite right in the first draft, so I went back and gave it another good long pass. When you compare the two you'll see what I mean. Also, the first draft skimped on the details a bit.

All of this will be carefully reviewed again before the April release on Amazon Kindle.

If you have any suggestions, I'm happy to hear them, and I'll incorporate them if I can.

Also, the Kindle version will have an appendix and a list of characters like the "Wheel of Time" series did.

Enjoy.

Chapter 3.

The question of who created the Khans raged for more than two centuries, since the first hapless soul was branded with the Seal of Arcala, and henceforth gifted with a Warlord. That individual went on to establish the Khan Orden, laying the foundations for the organization in a land that would one day become the Anderas Empire.

He travelled far and sought other Khan’s, and brought them into the fold. In time, as their numbers grew, so too their responsibilities. Thus, he formed the Quorum of Khans, comprising the wisest, most honorable, and most respected of the Orden’s men and women, to lead and guide their fellow Khans.

The Orden’s primary mandate was to find Khans, offer them sanctuary, nurture them, train them, and ultimately raise them to be of importance to the world. It also worked toward establishing peaceful relations with the many territories of the Northern Continent. They would offer their services to the ruling houses, protecting them and their populace from Khan Wilders that sought to rampage their lands. Being impartial, and with no political ties to any one land, the Khans of the Orden eventually came to broker negotiations between adversarial territories.

It wasn’t long before the Orden’s importance in world affairs came to be recognized by the Archons, who for many, many years had sought to distance themselves from the Khans and their Warlords. As such, the Orden was granted authority by our enigmatic custodians to referee conflicts, ensuring battles adhered to the Rules of Engagement. One must say, that the Khan Orden and the Archons had a strange working relationship, but that is a point of interest for another chapter.

In time, the Orden came to assign individual Khans to serve the ruling Houses. Utilizing the Seal of Arcala, a bond was established between the Khan and a member of the House, though not necessarily the ruler of the land. This bond allowed both parties to experience each other’s emotions, promoting cooperation and understanding. It was not without its difficulties, and those who participated in the bonding had to be wisely chosen. The bonding was intended to show the people of the land that Khans were as human as they were, and not to be feared without reason. In some circumstances, those Khans came to be recognized as champions of the land.

However, no matter the bond or a Khan’s personal feelings, their loyalty was foremost to the Orden. So when a Khan chose to disobey the Orden on moral or ethical grounds, personal motivations, or because of a forbidden love, that Khan faced judgment before the Quorum. And the Quorum’s judgment was invariably harsh.

But despite all this, that one question remained unanswered for more than two centuries.

Who was it that turned people into Khans?

The next question that needed an answer was…why?

Excerpt from The Devil’s Order.

An Unofficial History of the Khan Orden

(Kaden)

We were in the War Tent, having trekked over from Falken’s tent through the heavy downpour.

Thankfully, the distance wasn’t far, but in the rain everything felt like it was farther than it should be.

That said, the First Army’s encampment spanned an area of several square kilometers.

Inside the tent, we stood around a large, foldable table littered with maps, toweling our hair dry if nothing else. At least I didn’t fear catching a cold. It would take a lot more than a dousing of rain to ail my body, what with the Thread within to keep me healthy.

Etheric lamps glowed a pale emerald green, providing illumination to the interior of the tent.

Most of the chairs were empty as we stood around the table.

I looked at the men occupying the tent along with my brother and I.

Maximus Karmine, General of the First Army. Tall and ruggedly built, he could probably wrestle a bear to the ground…probably.

Barend Augustine, Field Marshal of Caldera’s five armies. Tall and lithely built, he had predatory eyes and thin lips. All of it belied the man’s good humor and easy nature.

Tamworth Ryland, Field Strategic Commander. He was shorter than both men, and maintained a trim physique despite spending most of his time in the planning tents rather than out in the field. However, I couldn’t deny his talent as a Jotunn pilot. He belonged to an elite cadre of men fit to wear the ring of a Jotunn Meister, a rank recognized throughout all the lands of the northern continent.

Three others occupied the room.

Gunter Reagan, the reconnaissance platoon leader. Falken had instructed he remain in the tent. I had no idea what my brother was planning to do with the young captain.

Samuel Kayman, a member of House Claymore’s advisory staff. He was an elderly gentleman I’d known since childhood. He had been an advisor to my father during his reign and now he served my brother.

And last but not least, was Knight-Commander Chiren Kell.

Like General Meyren Milerna, Chiren was one of a dozen women serving in Caldera’s heavy infantry. She was gifted with a strong Ether Kinetic talent – strong enough to easily operate a nine tonne, armored Jotunn.

Like Field Commander Ryland, she wore the ring of a Jotunn Meister, however she chose to wear it on the ring finger of her left hand. No one jested that she was married to her Jotunn, not unless they wished to endure a beating at the hands of her customized machine.

She was a childhood friend, someone Falken and I grew up with despite the fact she was a few years older than us. In truth, to Falken, Alleyne and I, Chiren was the epitome of an elder sister.

To the three of us, she was family.

Chiren had toweled dry her long blonde hair, and restored it into the high ponytail she wore when out in the field. She was pretty. I would never deny that, in fact, few men would consider her anything less than such. Yet many perceived her an aloof beauty, though I knew that was far from her true nature.

Chiren folded her arms under her impressive bust, noticeable despite the bulky Ether conductive uniform that she wore – a must for all Jotunn Knights to better operate their war machines. She spared me a long glance, before turning her attention on Falken who stood with his backside resting against the table.

He had his back to us, with his arms folded and his chin tucked against his chest.

I recognized that posture. Falken was shutting out the world, thinking matters through, and yet I knew he was also following the conversation around him. At least I hoped he was.

I sighed inwardly and listened to Samuel argue with Karmine.

The elderly man spoke with patience that was beginning to fray. “It does not change the fact that she is a Khan—a Khan Wilder—thus unbound to a lord and master. The Quorum of Khans, and thus the Khan Orden, will not allow her to persist.”

Maximus growled angrily, “Persist? You mean live.”

Samuel took a quiet breath. “General, you mistake my words. She would not be harmed. Simply, the Seal of Arcala would be removed from her body. She would return to being the girl she was beforehand.”

Maximus leaned forward toward the older man. “We both know the Quorum is rather cagey on the matter regarding Khan Wilders, and said removal of the Seal. Since the Quorum answers to no one—not even the Archons—they keep the matter of how they handle Wilders to themselves. What happens to the Seal once it’s removed?”

“We know what happens. The Khan Orden has clearly stated that it uses those Seals to ordain new Khans of their choosing.”

“Then tell me what happens to the Wilders? What life do they have to return to? You are aware that the brand takes many, many years to fade away. How can they return to the lives they once had having been once branded with the Seal?”

I noticed a subtle shift in Falken’s posture, but otherwise my brother remained still.

Maximus slapped the table. “What do we truly know of the workings of the Quorum and the Khan Orden?”

Samuel appeared to hold back a sigh. “Granted, the inner machinations of the Orden are unknown to many. However, the Quorum of Khans has always maintained they hold the safety and well-being of Khan Wilders in high regard. After all, we are well aware of the danger posed to land, people, and property by the Wilders. It’s not as if they can be allowed to run around wild, now can they?”

Ryland straightened where he stood beside the table. “Maximus, you know Samuel is right. Khan Wilders are a problem. Remember the reports on the most recent incident in Kapernia to the far north? If a Wilder were to choose to lay waste to Caldera, not even the Four Armies could stop them. Such is the power a Khan Wilder possesses. Nothing in our arsenal can stand up to a Warlord. Our finest Jotnar are rendered inert within their presence.”

Maximus growled low in his throat. “I stand by what I say. The Quorum answers to no one, though lately I’ve heard they listen more and more to the tune singing out of the Imperial Citadel.”

Samuel frowned slightly. “General, are you certain you’re not allowing your personal feelings to cloud your judgment, what with this girl being the age of your daughter?”

Maximus’s eyes grew hard as stone. “What does being a father have to do with this situation?”

“I would presume a great deal,” Samuel replied flatly.

Maximus looked ready to punch Samuel into a corner of the spacious War Tent.

I was so convinced he would, I stepped toward the table.

For her part, Chiren regarded the old man with veiled discontent, and she voiced it. “Samuel, you have no right to say that. Simply because this Wilder is a girl, has nothing to do with the General’s reluctance to hand her over to the Quorum.” Her voice turned icy. “You should know better than to drag Danica into this matter. She is a close friend, and I won’t tolerate it.”

Samuel clenched his jaw at Chiren. “You missed the point entirely.”

“No, I didn’t,” Chiren replied.

The two regarded each other coldly, neither breaking the glare.

The stalemate ended when a calm voice broke between them.

“That’s enough. Both of you act your ages.” Having remained quiet for much of the time, Barend Augustine folded his arms across his taut chest, and regarded Samuel and Chiren with disappointment. “Do I have to repeat myself?”

Chiren folded her hands behind her back and muttered, “No, sir.”

Samuel puffed up his chest and stated, “Might I remind you, Field Marshal, that I am not under your authority.”

Augustine shook his head slowly. “Old man, you wear my patience thin….”

I watched Samuel prepare to retort, but it died on his lips when Augustine narrowed his eyes into thin slits, promoting his predatory appearance, and making him appear quite dangerous.

I glimpsed the ghost of a smirk on Chiren’s face as she turned away and faced a corner of the tent.

Augustine sighed heavily, and looked over at Falken. “Your Grace, you said the girl has no memory of how the branding took place. Do you stand by those words?”

Falken nodded faintly, his back to the rest of us.

Augustine asked, “You attest she saved your life?”

Falken nodded again, just as faintly.

I felt like thumping him.

Dropping her hands from behind her back, Chiren walked up to him and smacked him across the top of his head.

That elicited varied reactions from the men. Augustine’s eyes widened then narrowed once again. Maximus looked ready to burst into laughter, and Ryland merely expressed a dim look of displeasure.

Gunter looked shocked out of his riding boots.

Samuel merely sighed, and I felt relieved someone had smacked Falken before I did.

Falken rubbed his head while staring meekly up at Chiren.

“Sis—ow!”

She smacked him again. “Don’t call me Sis while we’re here in the field,” Chiren snapped. “Now, you brought us all here so start participating at this table.”

“I’m thinking the matter through,” he complained, then shirked back when she raised her hand menacingly.

“Don’t make me hit you again,” she warned.

“What do you want me to say?” he muttered.

“Tell us what you think,” she demanded.

Samuel spoke up. “Your Grace, I believe we should present her to the Quorum of Khans. The fact she interceded in this battle is a grave transgression of the Rules of Engagement as ordained by the Archons. House Kurama will undoubtedly lodge a protest with the Archon Embassy, even if we are innocent of the matter relating to the Khan Wilder.”

Maximus grimaced and rubbed his chin vigorously. “Damn those bloody Rules of Engagement.”

Ryland smirked. “You don’t complain when they happen to suit us.”

Maximus palmed the map table with a heavy hand. “The problem is that while the girl interfered with the flow of battle, it would not have affected the outcome. The Kuramans have no basis upon which to protest.”

I stiffened, and so too did Chiren.

Maximus glanced at her. “What’s the matter?”

She raised her chin and glared coldly upon Maximus. “Her interference saved Falken’s life. Don’t treat it lightly.”

Maximus grimaced again. “I know. I understand that. I did not mean to belittle her actions.”

I relaxed a little, though I noted that it was uncommon to see a general so conciliatory to a subordinate. Unheard of is perhaps a better description. However, Maximus wasn’t quite like other generals, and he doted on Chiren, treating her like a daughter.

Ryland stepped in by speaking quietly between them. “We all understand her contribution, Knight-Commander. What Karmine is saying is that this girl brought about a premature end to a conflict we were certain to win.” He waved his hand over the map, and then tapped a point on it. “Milerna’s Fourth Army was just around the corner, and the First Army is right here, less than twenty kilometers south of the forest. Two thousand ground infantry, and four companies of heavy infantry. That’s almost four hundred Jotnar. Pushing the invaders back would have been child’s play. In fact, if they hadn’t retreated when they did we would have crushed them inside the forest and taken no survivors.”

Chiren pressed her lips together, her manner still stiff as she focused her attention on the map. “Why enter our lands at all? Surely they knew there was no chance of success.”

I glanced at Falken, but his face was unreadable.

Was it because he, the Archduke of Caldera was here? Was that why the Kuraman company of Jotnar had invaded our land?

Ryland rubbed a temple. “I won’t speculate. I have my suspicions but they’re just that—suspicions.” He inhaled deeply. “However, as I said before I don’t believe the girl’s intervention changed the outcome. If anything, it brought the skirmish to a premature end and saved lives.”

I caught the meaningful look he threw first at Chiren, then at my brother.

However, Falken was now staring at the map with a puzzled expression.

Abruptly he muttered, “Perhaps it will give Kurama pause and have him consider the wisdom of his choices.”

I faced him. “What do you mean?”

Falken exhaled quietly. “Well, it’s possible he took momentary leave of his senses.” Then he cocked his head as though listening to the rain outside the tent. “Then again, it might not have been his idea after all.”

I noticed the sharp look Ryland gave him.

I didn’t miss the subtle smile on the man’s lips as he regarded my brother.

Ryland nodded ever so faintly. “Good point. Troubling, but nonetheless a good observation.”

Falken eyed him. “Yes, it is troubling.”

It was Chiren’s turn to rub her temples. “Leaving aside Kurama’s mental state, what do we do about the girl?”

Falken turned his attention on Augustine, and studied the man carefully. “She’ll need representation before the Quorum.”

Augustine nodded very, very weakly.

Maximus broke into a grin. “A wise decision, your Grace….”

I saw the gratitude in the man’s eyes.

For all his bluster, courage, and bravado, the man was father to a young daughter and held a soft spot for women in his heart.

I too understood where Falken was heading with this, but Samuel beat me to the punch.

“Your Grace, you can’t be serious. You’re not thinking of—”

“—bonding with her? Yes, I am.” Falken straightened as he faced the tent’s occupants. “She saved my life. I owe her the protection only a Khan Meister can offer her.”

I stared at him while trying hard to hide my unease and misgivings.

Chiren wasn’t bothering with social subtleties, not that she ever did. “You understand what you’re saying?” she asked.

Falken looked down at the table for a moment. “Yes.”

Chiren swallowed uneasily. “Falken, you’re engaged to be married. That must go ahead. We need the stability a marriage like yours will offer Caldera and Reinvald. In fact, coming here was a mistake on your part. You shouldn’t be risking life and limb anymore. Don’t you understand that?”

“I know,” he replied, and faced her. “But I needed to be here. The men needed to see my presence on the line.”

Augustine said, “The men understand your position, your Grace. They’re not foolish enough to rouse rumor and gossip while here near the border.”

“Even so, I am their lord and master,” Falken stated in no uncertain terms.

Augustine nodded faintly. “Aye, that is true.”

Chiren grabbed Falken’s chin, forcing him to face her. “Falken, you’ll be bonded to that girl. You understand that you’ll be linked to her in a way that will—”

“—allow us to understand each other, and foster mutual trust—”

“—and devotion,” she finished off for him.

He smiled softly at her as he reached up and removed her fingers from his chin. “Chiren, you’re taking it too far. There are many degrees to devotion.”

“Falken, you and she will—”

“I know what the Bond of Arcala will mean to us both.” He straightened and continued to meet her gaze. “But the truth is she asked me three times if I needed a hand, and I said ‘Yes’ to her.” He reached out and took both Chiren’s hands in his. “Sis, the marriage will go ahead as planned.”

Chiren shook her head weakly. “Lisanna won’t understand.”

“Yes, she will,” Falken replied. “I’ll make her understand. Besides, our marriage was decided while both of us were in the crib. There’s no way she’ll back out of it now.”

He laughed lightly and released Chiren’s hands.

She smacked the top of his head again. “I told you not to call me Sis.”

Augustine cleared his throat. “Commander, you’ll addle his mind further if you keep doing that. Who knows what unorthodox decision he will make next.”

“He has a hard head, Field Marshal,” Chiren retorted smoothly. “I’ll attest to its hardness from experience.”

I took a step closer to the table. “Falken, we need to send word to the Quorum in Anderas.”

He nodded and looked to a corner of the tent. “Captain Reagan.”

“Yes, your Grace?” The young captain sounded startled, having stood silent and forgotten for many long minutes, the proverbial fly on the tent wall.

“You’re probably wondering why I included you in this impromptu meeting.”

“Ah, yes your Grace.”

Falken smiled supremely. “Captain, I need you to deliver a letter. It will carry the seal of House Claymore and it will be addressed to the Quorum representative in Anderas’s capital city.” He faltered and looked to Samuel for help.

The elderly man sighed, and answered his unspoken question. “Ravinia Eldridge, your Grace. She’s the current Secretary of the Quorum at their home in Anderas.”

Falken nodded quickly. “Yes, yes, that one. Gunter, you’ll deliver the letter. I want it there before Kurama can send them his distorted version of events.”

Gunter tapped his chest. “You’re entrusting something of this importance to me, your Grace?”

“Gunter, I have full confidence in you.”

I wanted to roll my eyes. A few hours ago Falken didn’t even know Gunter existed. Now he was entrusting this mission to a man he’d only recently become aware of.

Ryland spoke up. “Captain Reagan, I understand you won last year’s Wind Sylph challenge.”

I blinked and stared at Gunter.

This was the man who won that aerial endurance race?

The young captain straightened. “Yes, Commander.”

“Where is that racing Wind Sylph?”

“Ah…it’s with my brother sir, at his workshop in Cadena. He built it after all.”

Ryland nodded slightly. “Is it ready to fly?”

Gunter gave the commander a firm, resolute nod. “Yes sir. I took it out for a test flight two weeks ago. All good.”

Ryland regarded the tall captain for an uncomfortable length of time. “Captain, how quickly can you fly to Cadena, pick up that flyer, and return here?”

I watched Gunter give the question serious thought. The man studied his chronometer for a handful of seconds before replying, “I can return by sunset.”

Falken softly rapped his knuckles on the map table. “Can you spot the road that runs southeast past the camp?”

“I—I should be able to, your Grace.”

“Then you’ll be heading home to pick up that Wind Sylph. Take any flyer you want from here. When you return, we’ll be waiting for you on that road, a kilometer or so out of camp.”

“Your Grace…?”

“Think of it as an added precaution, Captain.”

Though he looked faintly puzzled, Reagan offered Falken a firm nod. “Aye, your Grace.”

“If you have enough time, pack for the journey. You’ll be travelling as a civilian, so make sure your clothes are suitable.”

“Ah, yes, your Grace.”

Falken took a deep breath. “In the meantime, I’ll be busy writing that letter. Samuel, would you come with me to your tent. I’ll need your guidance.”

Samuel sighed again. “Yes, your Grace.”

Chiren smirked. “You’re not going to make him write it for you?”

“Of course not, Sis. I just want his advice, and proof reading.” He gazed about the tent. “I need some paper. Damn, what a pain but it has to be done.” Looking at Gunter, Falken added, “Well, be back by sunset, Captain.”

Gunter saluted. “Yes, your Grace.”

Falken returned his salute.

I waited until Gunter had left the tent before speaking up but then noticed Falken was staring at me intently.

“What?” I asked nervously.

“He took my ring, so I’ll need to borrow yours for the seal.” Falken’s face darkened. “Ryland, we’ll need to make sure Gunter is outfitted with the necessary paper work to get him out of any trouble.”

Ryland pressed his lips into a thin line. “He’ll need a safe route through to Anderas. We can send word to Reinvald, but I’m not sure about the lands between Reinvald and Anderas. He could try traveling by ship, or following the rivers by air.”

I watched Falken’s expression harden. “Can I leave that in your care?”

Ryland tapped his fingers on the table as he studied the map that lay stretched over it. “By all means. In fact, I’ll need a word with the young Captain before he departs. A moment, your Grace.”

Ryland hurriedly stepped out of the War Tent to speak to the soldiers on guard duty, no doubt intending for one of them to go find Captain Reagan and deliver a belated message.

I turned my attention on Falken, and shook my head at him. “Did you know who he was? Is that why you brought him here?”

Falken smiled. “Of course I knew. I didn’t recognize him at first, but it came to me later. After all, I was the one who awarded him his trophy.”

I had to admit I’d forgotten who’d won the event.

Falken turned to Chiren. “Sis, I want you to talk to Fallon. Feel her out, see what you can learn from her. Don’t broach the matter of the bonding. That’s my concern.”

Chiren pressed her lips tightly before asking, “Won’t you leave that matter to me?”

“You want to bond with her?”

“No, you dummy. Won’t you let me explain the bonding process to her?”

Falken opened his mouth but remained conflicted for a long moment. Eventually he closed his mouth, and his shoulders fell a little.

He gave Chiren a defeated nod.

“…well, if you insist….”

Chiren raised her hand, ready to smack him again but Falken suddenly darted forward and embraced her tightly, crushing her large breasts against his chest.

“Chiren, I’m glad you’re here.”

I watched Chiren turn bright red, her right arm still raised high over her head. Anyone who’d ever thought her an ice queen was sure to have their doubts burned away by the sight of her blushing madly.

“Ah—Falken, what are you doing? Damn it, pay attention to your surroundings.”

“I trust you, Sis.”

Chiren couldn’t possibly turn any brighter. She lowered her arm unsteadily. “Fine, fine. Just let me go.”

He released her and darted back to a safe distance. “Right, now I’m off to write that letter. Samuel old man, come with me. Did you bring your dictionary with you?”

Samuel sighed…again. “Yes, your Grace.”

Falken swept his gaze over the men and one woman standing inside the War Tent. “Thank you, for your help.”

Damn him. He had a habit of changing between moods that always left me feeling like I was riding a small boat on heavy seas.

Maximus grinned broadly. “After you’re done with that letter, what are you going to do? Hang around here, or head back to the citadel.”

“I’ll head back to Calandor in the morning,” he answered, “so I need to make preparations regarding Fallon. I need to find a way to sneak her out of camp and get her to the citadel without drawing too much attention—ah!” He clicked his fingers. “Attention. That’s it. What better way to hide someone than in plain sight.”

Chiren had recovered somewhat and gave him a perplexed look. “What in High Heavens do you mean?”

Falken was nodding to himself. “Meyren Milerna. I need the good General’s help. Rather, I need to borrow something of hers.”

Maximus chuckled. “I only wish Meyren had been here to witness all this, but she’s still out at the border.”

Falken darted a glance at Augustine and then Ryland who’d just returned to the map table. “Regarding the border….”

The two men shared a look before Ryland stated in a calm manner, “The border will be secure by evening. Rest assured.”

Augustine added, “We need to take stock of the situation, but Ryland is right. We should have no trouble securing the border by evening if not late afternoon.”

Falken glanced at the map on the table. “We follow the rules of engagement regarding prisoner exchange…if any.” He was quiet for a moment. “How many did we lose?”

Augustine and Maximus took heavy breaths, but it was Ryland who replied after glancing down at the sheets of notes lying on the map before him. “Twelve, your Grace. However, we’re still counting. We have some eighteen Kuraman soldier’s in custody.” He looked up at Falken. “The Girl Scouts—I mean, the Empath Scouts—are in full deployment in and around Gaellen Forest.”

Falken pursed his lips for a long while, and studied the map. I watched his eyes trace a line from the forest back to the northern border with Reinvald. With a muted nod to himself, he addressed the three senior staff. “Try to get me a full count on our losses and injured by the afternoon. I’ll need names…and personal details.”

Ryland offered him a faint nod, but Karmine and Augustine both regarded Falken with veiled sympathy.

Falken looked at me, and then Chiren.

“Before I write that letter to the Quorum Secretary, I need to talk to the both of you in private.”

Tempted to send this in to a few agents, but I think I'll wait until May or June before I do so.....

Maybe I should start from scratch. I just don't know. Thinking about this is giving me ulcers.

Anyway, I noticed something that I need to fix in the new Chapter 6.

Cheers