Every Battle Lord's Nightmare Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One - Summit

  Chapter Two - Decision

  Chapter Three - Meeting

  Chapter Four - Contingency

  Chapter Five - Batuset

  Chapter Six - Confession

  Chapter Seven - Invitation

  Chapter Eight - Merger

  Chapter Nine - Smell

  Chapter Ten - Wrong

  Chapter Eleven - Bats

  Chapter Twelve - North Crestin

  Chapter Thirteen - Troublesome

  Chapter Fourteen - Directions

  Chapter Fifteen - Fog

  Chapter Sixteen – Oka City

  Chapter Seventeen - Politics

  Chapter Eighteen - Girded

  Chapter Nineteen - Encounter

  Chapter Twenty - Suspicion

  Chapter Twenty-One - Questions

  Chapter Twenty-Two - Attack

  Chapter Twenty-Three - Ill

  Chapter Twenty-Four – Rocky Gorge

  Chapter Twenty-Five - Welcome

  Chapter Twenty-Six - News

  Chapter Twenty-Seven - Forbidden

  Chapter Twenty-Eight - Game

  Chapter Twenty-Nine - Shut

  Chapter Thirty - Invasion

  Chapter Thirty-One - Trapped

  Chapter Thirty-Two - Dream

  Chapter Thirty-Three - Martyrs

  Chapter Thirty-Four - Foretelling

  Chapter Thirty-Five - Retribution

  Chapter Thirty-Six - Claimed

  Chapter Thirty-Seven - Delivery

  Chapter Thirty-Eight - Mistelle

  About the Author

  Every Battle Lord’s Nightmare

  Book 6 of the Battle Lord Saga

  By

  Linda Mooney

  EVERY BATTLE LORD’S NIGHTMARE

  Copyright © 2015 by Linda Mooney

  ISBN 978-1-941321-42-3

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  Editor: Diana Castilleja

  Cover Art: Ash Arceneaux

  The Battle Lord Saga

  The Battle Lord’s Lady

  Her Battle Lord’s Desire

  A Battle Lord’s Heart

  One Battle Lord’s Fate

  This Battle Lord’s Quest

  Every Battle Lord’s Nightmare

  Chapter One

  Summit

  “Mattox! Come back here right now!”

  Atty made a grab for the slippery two-year-old, but he managed to wriggle out of arm’s length, climb over the rim of the tub, and go racing in suds-covered abandon out of the bathroom. Giving a grunt of irritation, she climbed to her feet from where she’d been kneeling beside the big copper tub to bathe him, and went in pursuit.

  She barely reached the spiraling staircase leading down into the living area when a familiar voice called out. “Hey, Matt! C’mere, you little rabbit, you. Where’re you off to without a stitch on?”

  “Grab him, Warren!”

  Laughter, mixed with delighted squeals from her son, answered her.

  “Don’t worry, Atty! He’s not going anywhere.”

  She peered over the balcony, down at where her second had two firm arms around the child. “He’s quite a handful.”

  Warren Paxton grinned. “Well, the terrible twos, you know. Want me to carry him back upstairs for you?”

  “Would you, please? Thanks. I was hoping to be done here before Yulen finished inspecting the troops, but Mattox had other plans.” She didn’t miss how the second’s eyes dropped to her belly and the noticeable bulge, but he didn’t comment on it.

  “The battle lord isn’t done with the inspection. I’m here for a different reason.” Reaching the bedroom, he perched on the edge of the bed and plopped the child into his lap. “If you give me a towel, I’ll dry him off for you.”

  “Thanks, Warren.” She returned to the bathroom to fetch a dry cloth, tossing it to him as Mattox verbally protested.

  “Lemme go! Wanna go! Warren, lemme go!”

  “Hold on now, little prince. This won’t take but a minute. You don’t need to go running around the compound in your birthday suit. You’ll catch cold!” Paxton laughed as the child fought the towel and his confinement. “Hold still! Mind me, or I won’t take you to the practice field tomorrow to watch the sword fights.”

  The threat of losing that particular treat worked. Although Atty often used candy or desserts to bribe her son into doing what she wanted, Mattox had a special fondness for getting to roam amid the other soldiers and be a part of whatever they were involved in. Especially if he was accompanying his father. But if the battle lord wasn’t available, the next best options were Warren Paxton and Cole Mastin, the seconds in command.

  Atty watched as her son finally stopped struggling and accepted having his mop of curly brown hair dried off, as well as the rest of him. By the time Paxton was finished, she handed the man the little pair of pants and tunic to dress the child.

  “You showed up at the right time,” she admitted. “I seem to be getting slower.”

  Paxton snorted. “Slower, but not less agile. You have better aim when you’re pregnant than a lot of seasoned veterans have in their prime. Okay, Matt. Where are your socks? Soldiers don’t wear boots without socks.” He set the child on the floor. Mattox promptly ran into the small bedroom adjacent to his parents’ to fetch a pair from the small bureau.

  “You said you had another reason to see me?” Atty prompted.

  Paxton turned his attention to her. “A missive was delivered a few minutes ago by a small brigade of soldiers. Yulen wants you to meet him at the main lodge.” He waved for her to leave. “Go ahead. I’ll take care of Matt and meet you there.”

  She turned to head down the stairs just as the child emerged from the back room. The little boy’s unique eyes turned pale pink with worry when he realized she was leaving without him.

  “Mohmee?”

  She paused to flash him a smile. “I’m going to the main lodge. As soon as you get your boots and jacket on, you can come join me and your father.” Grabbing her coat, she threw it around herself and left the cabin without hearing any further protests.

  Her presence was hailed two steps outside the front door. Atty automatically waved to the sentry on watch in the nearby tower. The night was clear, the air crisp. The stars overhead were ice crystals surrounding the milky white broken moon. Clumps of snow remained on the ground, scattered in little melting mounds, but it felt like the worst part of winter was over. Hopefully, spring would be early this year.

  Yulen D’Jacques was standing by the fireplace, along with Mastin and two other soldiers. Four armed men wearing ceremonial tabards were waiting a few feet away. Everyone glanced her way when she entered from the side door. Yulen waited until she joined them to introduce her to the brigade.

  “Gentlemen, my wife, Atty D’Jacques, Battle Lady of Alta Novis. Atty, this is Wolfe Matriman and his squad. They’re from Corado.”


  “Corado?” She gave them a puzzled stare. “Where is that located?”

  “West,” Matriman answered. “North and west.”

  Her eyes widened. “North and west? How far? I’ve never heard of the place.” Atty noticed how the man tried to keep himself from staring at her hair as he explained.

  “We’re representatives of Alton Highcliff, Battle Lord of Rocky Gorge. He’s heard of the treaties you’ve forged with the Mutah.” He pointed to Atty. “He’s also aware that the battle lord of Alta Novis has taken a Mutah to wife.”

  He flashed her a smile. The sight of it set her teeth on edge, but she said nothing. Instead, she smiled in return. “What is your business in Alta Novis?” she inquired.

  In reply, Yulen handed her a small leather envelope. She opened it and extracted a sheet of paper, quickly reading over it. When she glanced up at the visitors, she didn’t miss the surprised expressions on their face. It was obvious that seeing her verified the rumor of Yulen’s marriage. Seeing her reading the document further shocked them. She could almost read their thoughts as clearly as she’d read the paper.

  The Mutah can read?

  It’s true! She’s Mutah! See the blue hair?

  Atty folded the document, replaced it in the envelope, and handed it over to her husband. Stepping back, she took a seat at the closest table and silently let Yulen take care of matters as she kept warm by the fire.

  “How far is your compound?”

  “Eleven days ride,” Matriman replied.

  Yulen slowly nodded, thinking. “Is Alta Novis your final destination? Or will you continue on your way after you leave here?”

  “Your compound is our southernmost stop. We would be grateful if you would allow us to spend the night here. We’ll head back at first light.”

  Yulen glanced at his two subordinates. “Meyers, will you and Tattersall show these gentlemen to the soldiers’ barracks and issue them a bed?”

  The men nodded before ushering the visitors out of the lodge. At the same time, Mattox threw open the side door and ran in, followed closely by Paxton. Yulen gestured for the seconds to join him and Atty at the table.

  “Our guests are being shown their overnight accommodations,” the battle lord informed her second. He extracted the paper from the envelope and shoved it across the table for Paxton to read. When the soldier finished, he handed it back.

  “Well? I’d like to hear your opinions. Pros and cons.” Yulen looked at both men. Atty knew he wouldn’t discuss the invitation with her personally until they were alone.

  “Are you asking if we think you should go?” Mastin finally spoke. “My first reaction is yes. This would be a perfect opportunity to cement what you’ve accomplished between Normals and Mutah. Maybe bring about more signed treaties from that area.”

  “Your second reaction?” Yulen nudged.

  “Eleven days to get there? That’s almost a month on the road going and coming. And we all know a hell of a lot can happen on the road, especially in areas we’re not familiar with. Not to mention that compounds that far away may still be antagonistic toward Mutah. There are too many unknown and potentially dangerous variables.”

  “I agree with Cole,” Paxton commented. “But my biggest fear is that we may encounter Bloods. We don’t know where they went once they left this area.” He glanced at Atty before continuing. “We know for a fact they didn’t go east. And so far there haven’t been any sightings from New Bearinger or anywhere south. That pretty much leaves the west and north.”

  “Then you’re suggesting we decline the invitation,” Yulen clarified.

  Atty smiled to herself. We decline. Not I decline. That was one reason why she loved her husband as much as she did. He firmly believed that any decision he made affected everyone. Although he made the majority of the decisions, he accepted full responsibility for those choices, whether they ended well or disastrously. When it came to the bigger issues, he never made up his mind without seeking council or examining all avenues. Since she’d been with him, she’d never seen him assume the self-righteous, self-serving attitude of some battle lords she’d met, who felt their word was indisputable.

  Both seconds glanced at each other. They knew they didn’t have the last word in the matter, yet they were aware that the battle lord trusted their instincts, as well as valued their opinions. Mastin sighed. “I’m saying this is your chance to spread the word. Maybe bring about more treaties. But we’ll need to be well-armed and watchful while on the road.”

  “Since the Bloods have deserted us, I feel the men have gotten less vigilant,” Paxton added. “They’re not as sharp as they once were. Whoever we take with us will need to be well-honed.”

  They were interrupted by the sound of wood smacking on wood. Atty looked up to find that Mattox had grabbed his play sword where he’d left it by the fireplace and was attacking the tables with jabs and swings.

  Yulen straightened. “I’ll let our guests know what we decide before they leave. Since they’ve come this far, it’s only right I let them know whether or not we’ll attend, so they can inform their battle lord upon their return.”

  He got up from the table and walked over to where his son was practicing. Atty smiled at the two seconds. “Between us, doesn’t the thought of traveling into unknown lands sound a bit exciting?”

  Paxton chuckled. “More like intimidating.”

  “I thought I’d had my fill of unknown lands when we tracked you to the east,” Mastin admitted.

  “Yeah, but you have to admit, you’re glad you did,” she teased. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have met Paas.”

  Mastin blushed at the reminder. She glanced at Paxton. The man was resting a hand on his abdomen where he’d sustained life-threatening wounds when she’d gone east to hunt and almost lost her life. “I know MaGrath released you to resume your duties, but do you think you’re fit enough to make the trip?” she asked him.

  It took the man all of two seconds to realize what she was asking him. He blanched. “Atty, I wouldn’t need to go unless you were. Good God, are you actually contemplating accompanying the battle lord over such a long distance? In your condition?”

  “I’m barely seven months along, Warren. I was further than that with Mattox when we went to Bearinger to find out what happened to Yulen after the Bloods attacked the compound. Say it takes us a little over a month to get there, stay a few days, then return. I’ll be back long before my due date. Besides, Liam says I’m doing a lot better with this pregnancy than I did with my first, and I agree.”

  “So you think Yulen will accept the invitation to the summit?” Mastin inquired.

  Atty shrugged and got to her feet. “All I know is that all the work Yulen has done to bring about these treaties isn’t over. Now that some agreements have been put into place, we can’t sit back and hope the good he’s done continues on its own and spreads outward. No, we need to spread the word ourselves. We need to venture into areas where it wouldn’t otherwise be heard. Am I looking forward to being away from home for such a long stretch? Not really. But sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.”

  “The greater good?” Paxton echoed.

  Atty felt a warm glow go through her as she observed her husband and son skirmishing in mock battle. “Yes. The greater good. For me and Yulen, that good is the future we’re leaving for our children.”

  Chapter Two

  Decision

  Yulen glanced up at the mug being held in front of his face. Smiling, he accepted it and watched Atty make herself comfortable in the chair opposite. The fire going in their fireplace may be smaller than the one in the main lodge, but it was just as warm. Cozier, in fact, with only him and Atty sitting in the overstuffed armchairs.

  “I love this time of the evening,” he admitted.

  Atty laughed softly. “Until Mattox wakes up and demands something to drink. Or has to go to the bathroom. Or…”

  Yulen felt his smile widen. “I think he’s past the demand stage and en
tering the I’m tired of waiting for them to pay attention to me so I’m going to get it myself stage.”

  Atty laughed out loud, slapping a hand across her mouth to muffle the sound. Her movements tilted her mug, and some hot tea spilled over her tunic, directly above her slightly swollen belly. “Ugh. Ow.” She lifted the material and waved it to cool the burning liquid.

  He sat up. “Did it burn you? Do I need to get a cold press?”

  She shook her head. “I’m okay.” Sighing, she looked at him. “We’re going, aren’t we?”

  Yulen hesitated. Atty noticed it and knew the reason for his reticence.

  “Please don’t tell me you were thinking of going without me.”

  “Atty—”

  “Fuck this, Yulen! We’ve had this conversation before! We’ve suffered because of your pig-headedness! If you’re going, I’m going with you! End of argument!”

  He stared at her in surprise. Not because of her outburst. He had expected it. But Atty never used profanity. If she did, he’d never been around her to hear her, although the soldiers were guilty of lacing their language with vulgarity.

  She continued to glare at him with narrowed eyes. Her breathing was agitated, and her face was flushed, visible even in the orange glow of the fire. He gave her another minute, in case she wanted to say more. When she didn’t, he took a sip of tea and continued.

  “My love, the dangers that could befall us—”

  “We’ll face together,” she concluded in that no-nonsense tone he was well acquainted with.