Demon Child Ch. 12

Jhardron spoke sharply, "What does he say?"

Her words were reluctant but an exact translation of what Tollekai had said. Then she asked, "It is true, isn't it? The Bak did kill the children of the villages. Why did you do that?"

Jhardron turned and watched as the Ramaldi traitor and murderer began to pull weighty bag after bag of what had to be gold from the hole and dumped it to one side. "A Bak regimental Khan must obey the orders of the Aga Khan. I had my orders. I did not like them, but it is not my place to question them. I have had to do worse things in the name of duty. I am sure I will again." Aylanna felt the rigid angry control filling his heart, his carefully guarded grief and revulsion for things he had done, and things he might yet have to do again.

Tollekai stood back and gestured broadly at the pile of bags. "It is all there. I never took a coin."

Jhardron spoke sharply to Aylanna, "Tell him to put the bodies back into the hole. Tell him to bury them again."

Tollekai shrugged and began the horrific task of manhandling the half rotted corpses back into the hole and shoveling the dirt over them. Once he was finished he turned and began to walk toward the horse he had ridden here. Jhardron spoke in a cool icy tone, "Tell him we will be using that horse to carry the gold back."

As Aylanna said the words, Tollekai turned on her, rage in his face. "You said you would spare me."

Jhardron's laugh was harsh and humorless, "I did not say I would give him a horse. Tell him to get out of my sight. He has a short time to live if he remains here." At her words Tollekai made an inarticulate squawk and bolted out of the little valley.

Jhu'kresh was packing the bags of gold into a pack saddle, his face wrinkling in disgust. "My Khan, this gold will always stink of death and betrayal. I think I may pass up my share."

Jhardron answered, "So many have died for this treasure. Perhaps it is cursed."

The smell coming from the pack animal was so strong and disgusting the Aylanna and Jhardron ended up riding on the upwind side. Jhu'kresh kept a handful of flea bane and sniffed at it often. But still the smell seemed to follow them like an evil cloud. Finally Aylanna began to weave back and forth searching for more flea bane and other strong smelling herbs. As she slipped off Xin'sha's back and gathered the herbs she called up to Jhardron. "Maybe we can put this in the bags, to cover the stink?"

Jhardron shrugged, "I doubt anything will ever completely cover that smell, but it couldn't hurt."

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As the trio arrived at the camp, one of the guards spoke up, his manner hurried. "Kwal'kek asks for the demon. The other ha'akh is sick."

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