In the Pit of Snakes

Shyana was about to continue on, until she watched Vikas bend over his fallen comrades. The Thurucaln prince kissed his fingers and placed them on the dead men's eyes and in the center of his forehead.

Shyana knew all about killing a Thurucaln, but had never watched what they did with the dead. By then she was usually plotting out a new strategy to destroy more.

They waited for a moment, though she was itching to continue.

Once the ritual was complete, the uneasy alliance treaded into the forest, deftly aware of the dangers which lurked within, but even more so, the lethal beings on either side of them.

Six ventured forward, seven with Reuk, trying their best to ignore the small bones which carpeted the forest floor and cracked beneath their feet, with each careful step.

Shyana tried to focus on the path before her, but every move the prince made beside her set her on edge. She pictured him slashing her back open with the metal hook, dragging her closer and cracking her neck before she could react. This was wrong, so very, very wrong.

~~~

The second moon rose silently into the clear night sky, lighting the captain's way. as he trekked through the slumbering army. He made sure to position the night watch, so they wouldn't be close enough to see, or more importantly hear, his visit to Hinike's tent.

He smiled, as memories of their prior visits flashed through his mind, she was a loud little thing.

Taking one more look around the sleeping camp, Pri made certain it was clear, before he pulled back the tent flap and was instantly met with the smell of incense and richly fermented Leup.

His dark eyes fell upon the lovely sight before him; Hinike perched upon her cot, the soft firelight from the lantern playing shadows across her lovely face.

He swallowed, when those hypnotic blue eyes, emphasized with a barrage of supple lashes, caught him.

She curved her lips into a sensual smile and beckoned him with one elegant finger. The captain nearly tripped as he approached her cot and she handed him a glass of Leup. "I've been waiting for you, my love."

Pri smiled and reached a hand out to caress her soft skin. "I'm sorry it's been so long."

She giggled and shook her head. "I feel special to have you make time for me, when you are so busy cleaning up Makea's mess."

He felt a twinge of heat move through him, at the mention of their general. "She didn't leave me with a mess. Something must be important for her to leave. Especially if it means seeing her sister when she hasn't in so long. General Makea can't stand being in Xera's walls."

Hinike raised an eyebrow. "So important that she abandons her people in the middle of the night?"

"General Makea would never abandon Xhaia."

The woman brought her own glass of Leup up to his level. "Let us drink and then talk, yes?"

He scanned her, wondering what was on her mind, but toasted with her and sipped the Leup.

Hinike's brow furled. "Drink like a man, Pri. Or did you lose your stones on the battlefield?"

He smiled at her taunting and tipped his head, taking in the warm liquid in fierce gulps.

As quickly as he'd finished, a sudden dizziness pulsed through him. "My…that was quick…. what kind of Leup is this?"

Hinike shrugged. "My own concoction. Is it good?"

He nodded; feeling a happy, lazy warmth swirling through him.

Hinike ran her delicate fingers through his hair, sending waves of electric tingles across his scalp. "You should listen to me more. I see what you do not."

Pri shook his head at the drowsiness filling him, smiling at her statement. "Oh, and what do you see, my little flower?"

She watched, as the drink affected him just as she hoped it would. Little did he know that it was only water in her own glass.

Curling her fingers in and out of his braided hair, Hinike whispered. "General Makea can't be trusted."

He felt a slight alarm move through him. "What…do you mean?"

Then a sudden faintness, like he couldn't bear to stand anymore. He stared at the glass in his hand and back to Hinike, who blurred in his vision. "Hini… what have you done?"

She smiled and brought him down to her level, caressing him sweetly to her supple breasts. "Opened your eyes, my love. Now listen carefully, General Makea cannot be trusted. She's abandoned you. Say it."

"But…I…." Pri wanted to object, but he didn't know why. Why did he care again?

Hinike ran her fingers down his chest and rested on the clasp of his pants. "She is a traitor… General Makea is a traitor. Say it."

He felt emptiness overtake him, until there was nothing left but the woman's voice and the feeling of her hand. How he wanted her, though he couldn't tell if his dizziness was due to the drink or his desire.

At this moment he would say anything to please her and what she said sounded like ultimate truth. She was so sure; it must be so. "General Makea is a traitor."

Hinike smiled and pulled out a rolled scroll from her belt, pressing a quill into his numb hand. "Sign this. Now."

As if his hand were its own separate being, his fingers moved across the page, until he fell forward onto Hinike's shoulder.

She stroked his hair back, kissing his ear. "That's right. Makea is a traitor."