Page 91 of The Merciless Ones

I glance back at Hemaira, those familiar grey walls that once held such wonder for me. “We have our sisters and all those who wished to flee. Hemaira holds nothing for us now. The siege can end.”

General Bussaba genuflects. “It will be as you wish, honoured Nuru.” She turns to a nearby aide, her head twitching once more as she does so. “Summon the commanders. We decamp immediately.” That said, she nods back at me. “Honoured Nuru.”

I incline my head. “General.”

Now I turn to the edge of the crowd, from where the karmokos, Rustam, Rian, and Lord and Lady Kamanda are swiftly approaching, Lord Kamanda’s golden chair whirring as easily over the dust and gravel of the camp as it did the elegantly tiled floors of his estate. Rian immediately runs for Katya, her immense form embracing his smaller one the moment they meet.

“Deka,” Karmoko Thandiwe says, inclining their head slightly when they reach me. “Our swords are yours, if you wish. We will travel to Abeya with you.”

The magnitude of the offer warms my heart beyond measure, but I sigh and shake my head, nonetheless. Considering the welcome I expect to receive in the city of the goddesses, it’s probably not a good idea to bring any of my human allies into close vicinity with the mothers. “I wish I could accept that kindness, but I fear I cannot in good conscience allow you to journey with me. Especially not you.” I glance at Karmoko Huon, who blinks.

“You know,” she says quietly.

I nod, remembering my first lesson with her, the way she handled that burly jatu so easily despite her delicate frame. I think I knew then. I think I always knew. “Yes,” I finally say.

“I am a woman,” she replies, her mouth tight.

I incline my head again. “I have never once doubted that.”

She sighs. “I thought Abeya was a haven for those like me.”

“As did I, once upon a time.” Once upon a time, I’d have thought Abeya would gladly embrace Karmoko Huon, the woman who chose to accept herself as she was inside, who fought to claim womanhood in this world, rather than the body the fates gave her at birth. Now, however, I’m not so certain.

“I think, for now,” I continue diplomatically, “it’s better that you find your own path.”

“A finer load of bull caca I’ve never heard,” Karmoko Calderis snorts disbelievingly. “‘Your own path’ – what nonsense.”

Karmoko Thandiwe, thankfully, is much more diplomatic as they step forwards. “What aren’t you telling us, Deka? I would understand why you wouldn’t want Huon to go, but me? Calderis?”

I bite my lip, then sigh as I decide on the truth. “I fear,” I say, “that if you go and become a worshipper of the mothers, we might end up crossing swords one day.”

“Ah,” the karmoko replies. “Well, that is a very good reason.”

“Besides,” I say, nodding to Lady Kamanda. “Your partner is due any day.” I’ve glanced at Lady Kamanda while in the combat state. Those children are ready to come out.

“More twins, just as I suspected!” the noblewoman declares, seeming so delighted, I pretend astonishment at the news. “One of the alaki told me – a very sensitive woman. We’ll travel to my summer home in Kambiada for the birth.” She smiles fondly at Lord Kamanda and then turns to Karmoko Thandiwe, almost hesitant now. “You will come, won’t you, Thandiwe?”

“Of course,” the muscular karmoko replies. “I am yours, you know that.”

Lady Kamanda beams.

I smile too, happy to see a pair so deeply in love.

“Your friends are welcome to come with me if they choose,” she adds, nodding at Rian and Katya, who shake their heads.

“I’m going with Deka,” Katya says in her deathshriek rumble, signing out her words using battle language as well.

Rian puts his hand in hers. “Wherever she goes, I follow,” he says quietly.

I nod, yet more warmth filling my heart. Outside of our uruni, I don’t think I’ve ever met a man as loyal as Rian, and I don’t think I ever will. His and Katya’s romance truly is all that she proclaimed it to be.

I glance at the other two karmokos and Lady and Lord Kamanda as I genuflect. “My deepest thanks for all you have taught me and all the aid you have given me. May fortune go with you.”

Three pairs of hands clap my shoulders: the karmokos, smiling down at me. “And with you as well, Deka of Irfut,” Karmoko Thandiwe says quietly.

“We will meet again.”

“Of this, I have no doubt,” Karmoko Huon says, nodding.