"As you wish."
Vigdis was pissed at the loss of so many Toufik slaves. He'd been desperate for more workers in the ore mines. Vigdis had to keep production up, it kept his army of transports running. It's what had kept him in the game for the last few years.
Of course there might be a way to crush the Vidya Cadi once and for all. Vigdis had bought a little something from the Jurou Biljana during the auction. He had planned to save his surprise for another day, but why wait. Kagan quo Rordan thought he was riding high after stealing Vigdis' Toufik slaves. Well he wouldn't for long. Vigdis smiled sadistically. He would strike at the heart of the Vidya Cadi. Kagan would be forced to come to him and then Vigdis would decimate not just the Vidya Cadi but the man and take the ultimate prize, the whole of Cadi.
"How quickly do you think Kagan's army could reach our present location?" Vigdis asked.
"Two maybe three days." Madhava replied. "But I doubt Kagan will attack us here."
"Ah but what if he were forced to engage us?"
Giselle
Giselle hummed happily as she sat next to the Toufik female and the baby she'd met on the Jurou Biljana ship. She'd caught sight of them yesterday and couldn't help but seek her out in the Toufik camp. Actually it was the baby she'd recognized, since sadly Giselle was still working on differentiating the Toufik. It was getting easier if you concentrated on their hair pattern rather than facial features. Giselle was nearly ecstatic as she made the greeting gesture Sabin had taught her as well as a few other signs she had learned. The female hugged her close and gestured so fast Giselle only gleaned a few things.
Giselle helped the females as they shelled a mass of something that looked like blue peas, or beans. It occupied most of the morning. It was nice being around other females even if there wasn't a ton of banter. The Toufik seemed to be a simple people though not stupid. They were content to do their part. If the sun was shining and their bellies were full, they were a happy people. Giselle had been surprised to learn the Toufik were so upbeat because they came from a dying world. The thought was staggering and certainly put things in perspective.
Giselle dumped a lap full of the beans into a basket and then placed the pods into a boiling stew pot. The broth would be strained then other vegetables and meat added. The Toufik were ingenious in their use of resources. They probably had to be on their home planet. They made feeding the army seem like child's play.
Giselle grinned as she thought about Kagan's army of men. More than one warrior had greeted Kagan with a sly smile or a look of respect as they arrived at first meal this morning. Men were so predictable. Giselle had sat with Kagan attempting not to grin like a Cheshire cat as warriors found reasons to approach the Daimio to congratulate him on his victory.
"What are you grinning about." Kagan had asked when they had a moment of peace.
"Oh nothing." Giselle had replied.
"You better watch her. She's a wily one." Dagaa had chuckled.
"Who me? Never." Giselle batted her eyes in feigned innocence.
"Her little performance last night was orchestrated for a reason, and I'm almost ashamed of the part I played." Dagaa admitted so no other warriors could hear.
"Well if you men didn't have such a convenient handle to lead you around by." Giselle teased.
"Jeezelle" Kagan choked out part laugh part shock.
"Some people needed an attitude adjustment, and I didn't know any better way." Giselle admitted as she leaned into Kagan. "Besides it wasn't a performance. I just chose not to repress myself."
"I should bend you over my knee." Kagan husked back.
"Is that a promise?" Giselle whispered into his ear.
"We'll discuss later the cause of my warrior's disrespectful behavior. Although I appreciate your attempt to restore my honor, "Kagan wagged his eyebrows at her. "I'm sad to say it will only go so far my little pet." Kagan had smiled as he tugged her onto his lap.
Giselle wondered what Kagan had to say to her as she recalled the morning discussion. He thought his prowess in the sack wouldn't carry him far, and maybe it wouldn't, but Giselle disagreed to some extent. The warriors wouldn't be able to ignore the fact that Kagan was clearly their alpha. There was something primal about a male showing other males how he dominated a female. It wove its way into the psyche, and at heart they were all animals, subject to the call of the wild. Giselle had just taken the inborn weakness and turned it into a strength.
Kagan quo Rordan
Kagan listened to Grainne with growing dismay as he reported the unbelievable devastation in the Fazl Province, just along the border not more than a half days ride from their current location.