Scarred Man Read Online Free Page A

had the chance to relieve herself soon, she would embarrass them all.
    â€˜Hey,’ she said. ‘How about some food and water? And a chance to take a piss?’
    The last brought a laugh, and an order to stop. She was dragged to her feet and held tightly while the soldier who had punched her unchained her feet. The chance was too good to pass on, so as soon as her feet were free, she quickly lashed out and landed a solid kick to the side of his face. He staggered back, overbalanced and fell out of the wagon to land hard on the ground.
    â€˜I owed you that,’ Maida said quickly.
    The other two Agents and the wagon driver laughed at their companion’s discomfort and before he could clamber back into the wagon, murder on his soon-to-be-bruised face, his superior raised a cautionary hand.
    â€˜She is right, Opochtli,’ he said. ‘Call it even and leave it.’
    Opochtli glared at Maida, but the murder faded from his face as he climbed in.
    â€˜Call it even, then, Huitzilin,’ he said. ‘But don’t push it, Red,’ he added to Maida.
    â€˜Or you will do what? Glare at me? Pull faces? Your watching queen will be so impressed.’
    She did not know what sort of response she was expecting, but what she received was a shock. Opochtli’s face went white as he lowered his head and touched the tattoo on his cheek. Huitzilin’s grip on her arm wavered and the other soldier actually dropped to his knees in what she could only describe as fear, as he too touched the tattoo on his cheek.
    Now that’s interesting .
    Before she could take advantage of the sudden lack of attention on her, Huitzilin recovered and gripped her arm tightly, giving it a little shake.
    â€˜Be careful, Red, how you use the Queen’s name. Some will take offence, and be aware, she does watch. There is no exaggeration or myth there.’
    Maida gave a quick raising of her eyebrows. ‘Can I take a piss now?’
    â€˜Come on, then, Red,’ Huitzilin said, pushing her towards the back of the wagon.
    â€˜What? Are you coming with me?’
    â€˜How stupid do you think I am, Red? You really think I am going to let you walk away into the bush alone?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Modesty is overrated. Let’s go.’
    He jumped lightly off the back of the wagon and dragged her down with him.
    Now that she was out of the wagon, Maida took a look around. They had not travelled south through the arid plains, rather they had moved more east, into a lightly wooded area. There were some tall trees, but mostly it was low scrubby bush. Not enough to break up wind, but enough cover if she could get away. Maida allowed herself to be dragged towards a bush, where she wrenched her arm free and pushed Huitzilin away.
    â€˜I’m going to be on the other side of that bush. Listen if that’s what you want, but stay here.’
    Huitzilin gave her a calculating stare before jerking his head briefly in acquiescence.
    Maida walked quickly to the other side of the bush and squatted down out of his line of view. She had chosen the bush carefully — it formed the beginning of a low, dense hedge. It was covered in small greyish leaves and was almost impenetrable. As soon as she was sure he could no longer see her, she dropped onto her belly and squirmed away under the bush. She moved as quickly as she could, ignoring the rips and tiny cuts the branches were leaving on her clothes and body. With any luck, by the time he started to get suspicious, she could be ten or twenty paces away under thick cover.
    Once past the thickest outer layer of foliage, she found the going easier. The bushes were peculiar: their low, weeping habit left the area around the main trunk quite clear. She was past three bushes by the time she heard the first call of concern.
    The concern quickly became anger and frustration.
    â€˜Ice and wind!’ Huitzilin shouted. ‘She’s gone. You three get over