And proceeded once more up the street.
More melees were stopped, more knots of aggressors taken out. Villagers crowded around the original four, stalking the streets alongside them. Machetes were raised and used, kitchen knives thrust into flesh. Kenzie stayed that little bit ahead of the wedge, unnerving Drake intensely when a severed head flew off the edge of her sword right past his face. Another inch and they’d have been nose to nose.
Kinimaka joined them from the right and Yorgi from the left, the Russian confirming that the two shooters had long since been taken care of. Curtis and Desiree and a dozen others joined them. The slow-marching phalanx was unstoppable, buzzing with energy and comradeship, each person watching the other person’s back, every pair of eyes searching out danger not just for themselves, but for everyone. Drake felt the mood of the villagers change right then, the instillation of belief and confidence a tangible feeling. Those that were scared stood strong. Those that were strong led the way. And the SPEAR team walked with them, proud to be a part of it, happy that they had helped make a difference.
Ahead, Mai waited, an exhausted enemy in each hand, letting them hang so their knees scraped the ground. Her flawless white face was serene as she singled Alicia out among the pack.
“How many, bitch?”
“Three, probably. I don’t think it matters now though, Sprite, do you?”
Drake felt happy for his girlfriend. Inspired enough to suspend her war of words with the Japanese ninja. The ground was littered with dead and groaning bodies, the creatures trying to spirit some away, fleeing between buildings and screaming as they ran, most likely tripping snares on their way back. Smyth reported that he was carefully dispatching a handful, but didn’t want to reveal his position in case he was needed again. Drake stopped as the march staggered to a halt, the villagers looking at each other, around at the village and then to the skies.
They had successfully defended their homes against a superior force. Many fell to their knees, some in gratitude, some in exhaustion. Many cheered and began to hug their friends. Drake found himself at the center of a group celebration amid the dirt and the blood and the biting winds. He clasped shoulders, grinned stupid grins with the villagers and let the tension go for just a few minutes. He danced around with one woman, high-fived a man, and saw people he knew by name holding bloody daggers and half-broken cleavers. He saw Brynn directing people to round up the captives and make them secure. Brynn is a teacher! Well, she makes a bloody damn good general as well. They moved to the village square, happy to be alive, and the SPEAR team managed to come together.
“Kimbiri lives on,” Drake said.
“But a long way to go,” Mai said. “There are other villages and we can’t be there for all of them.”
“I say we chop the head off the snake.” Smyth trotted up to them, covered in dirt and vegetation. “And I say we do it now.”
“Don’t worry, Lancelot.” Alicia winked. “Your queen will still be there when we get home.”
“Those assholes are running and they’re scared. In turmoil. We won’t get a better chance,” he huffed. “Take my advice or leave it.”
Drake studied Smyth thoughtfully and then said with some worry in his voice. “We do have to decide what’s the main priority.”
“Hayden,” Kinimaka said.
“Hit ’em while they’re down,” Dahl said. “Before they can make plans.”
“It does sound appealing,” Alicia said.
“And tonight we got a little lucky,” Mai added. “What if they’d attacked Nuno or a farm instead? We won’t get so lucky again.”
Drake nodded, gaze drawn over to the excited huddle of villagers. Curtis was beckoning him to join in. Brynn was waving them all over. It was good to celebrate victory tonight, Drake thought. But tomorrow would be a different day. Tomorrow Dantanion and his horde of cannibals could just reset and start again. A man with his means might even have an arms cache on the way. Secretary Crowe would not be held back.
“We achieved so much tonight,” he said. “But I don’t feel it’s enough. I think…” He gazed up at the mountains. “I think we have to finish this. Right now.”
“Hayden will be pissed,” Kinimaka said. “She pretty much just got there.”
“And the chateau’s still inaccessible,” Kenzie pointed out. “Nothing has changed there.”
“Not to me.” Yorgi kicked mud from his boots. “I could climb up the walls and find a way to let you all in.”
“Right into cannibal central?” Alicia drank water. “They’d just think you were the appetizer.”
“Is there another way?” Yorgi challenged.
Dahl nodded around a mouthful of food. Brynn had gotten fed up with waiting for them to join the impromptu celebration and had dashed across with a few bowls. She now listened to their conversation with interest.
“I know of a way,” the Swede said, and proceeded to explain.
Alicia rolled her eyes. “For fuck’s sake, Torsty, can’t you ever just use the front door?”
Kenzie came to his rescue. “I like it,” she said. “It breeds stamina.”
“It breeds bruises. That’s all it breeds.”
Drake eyed the Swede. “You think it can be done? I mean it’s not like we can come over the top of the mountain. The peaks are way too high.”
“Look over there. See how they shine under the full moon. What do you see?”
Drake did his best to discern anything other than shadows and lofty heights. “Shit, what did you put in that food, Brynn? The Swede’s finally lost it.”
“The passes.” Dahl waved indignantly. “Can’t you make them out against the mountain?”
“Mountain passes,” Mai said quietly. “There will be a way around the side of the mountain and thus above the chateau. It is the distance down we can’t control.”
“And how do you propose to find the right path?” Smyth asked.
Dahl nodded at Brynn, still chewing. The teacher nodded back immediately. “I do know several who could take you into those mountains. But it is up to them to decide if they want to go. Perhaps we will find one.”
Mai smiled agreeably. “Of course.”
Drake stared around at the group. “So we’re really going for the Mad Swede’s plan?”
Dahl looked offended. “I haven’t done anything mad in days.”
“Hold on, Hayden,” Kinimaka said so softly he probably thought nobody could hear him. “We’re on our way.”
Smyth shook the vegetation from his jacket. “We all going then?”
Drake smiled. “Yeah, and Lancelot can lead the charge.”
“Oh, don’t start with all that. Just don’t. I came clean, I fessed up. Don’t see anyone else doing the same.”
Silence as deep as the depthless caverns inside the mountains fell over the group, making everyone feel a little uncomfortable. In the end it was Brynn who broke it.
“Shall we ask around?”
“Yeah.” Drake eyed the path of their future. “And then finish this thing.”
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
“Your first step. Your first initiation,” Dantanion purred, his voice soft and liquid, like honey poured over a spoon. “Anything new may be abhorrent. To open the eyes, we need persuasive stimulation. To open the heart, we need compelling emotion. But to open the mind, do you know what we need?”
He paused, but continued quickly, not expecting to be interrupted.