Swords of the Imperium (Dark Fantasy Novel) (The Polaris Chronicles Book 2) (23 page)

“These aren’t poor peasants,” Lotte said gently. She squeezed his shoulder. “Everyone in this place has a gun behind his or her back and plenty of sins to defend with it.”

“I’ve gotten over that,” Taki said.

“Feeling morose over the albino?”

“Perhaps. Zhukov was a good man. I’d never known a Moslem before I met him.”

Lotte smiled. “If it’s any comfort, they believe that when one of the faithful dies in battle, he’s greeted by seventy-two virgins in paradise.”

“That sounds apocryphal,” Taki said with a sour expression.

“You’re just jealous. How are your wounds?”

Taki drew his sleeves up and showed her. The blisters had all ruptured and sloughed off, leaving grainy scabs. The swelling and redness from the burns, however, had disappeared.

“You never took me up on my offer,” she said.

“You were just teasing me, Captain,” Taki said.

“You shouldn’t always assume the worst, Natalis. You’ll be a virgin for the rest of your life that way.”

“And now you
are
teasing me.”

“Is that new confidence I hear from my awkward little cornet? Did you, perchance, tumble with the Kosovar girl who likes you?”

Taki turned red around his ears. “She’s immature. I don’t really fancy her in that way.”

Lotte laughed. “It seems I hit a nerve. Not to worry, I won’t tease you more.”

“Thank you, Captain. And forgive me if I presume too much, but you’ve also been in higher spirits these days.”

“Perhaps I am.” She paused. “I remember you asked me if it was treason to find contentment fighting under the enemy banner. Once, I’d never have imagined such a thing possible. Now, I’m not so sure. Imagine that: an archangel of the Temple serving the hated Imperium with pride. I don’t know what’s become of me.”

Taki frowned. “If I may speak frankly, I’m just glad to be rid of the Triada.” He spat as the last syllable left his mouth. Like any other clueless Polaris freshy graduated from the academy, he had once held the Agia Triada of the Temple in fearful reverence. After all, the three archangels—Michail, Yuriel, and Jibriil—had been the infallible personification of Temple Law and the Hoplite’s Code. That is, until Taki had actually met them.

“Mezeta told me, by the way. You asked her to kill Jibriil. Practically twisted her arm, too.”

His heart started to race. “I only spoke in the heat of anger…”

“That was truly bad form, and it could have earned you the gallows, Natalis.”

Taki bowed his head.

“And yet…” Lotte sighed. “I was also pleased. I didn’t think anyone cared.”

“I was impulsive. I know better, these days.”

She ran her fingertips across his cheek. “You’ve a kind heart. You make me regret things.”

Taki noticed that her hand trembled. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“I’ve been overly harsh with my words, and many times, I struck you all when I should have shown restraint. I treated my men the same when I was Yuriel, and now they’re dead. I can never earn their forgiveness.”

Taki clenched his fists and was silent for a moment. “Captain, when I asked Mezeta to kill the Archangel Jibriil, she told me that the only reason we hadn’t been hanged for our failures was because of what you endured. You saved our lives so many times. I have no right to judge you. I can only praise you.”

“I merely did my duty. And did it poorly, at that.”

“Now you’re the one morosely refusing a compliment.” He cracked a wry smile. “You’ll be a spinster forever at this rate.”

Lotte’s lips parted in disbelief, and she pushed Taki hard enough to bowl him over on the floor. He started to laugh. Her face flushed, and she crossed her arms. “No one likes a smartass!”

“Aye, there’s nothing more useless than a man like me.”

Her expression softened, and she bent to help him. “Do you really think I deserve praise, Natalis?”

He clasped her hand and pulled himself to his feet. “I do. I’ve never met a warrior as fierce and courageous as you. I wouldn’t want to face Mezeta without you.”

“And to think we were so close to her,” Lotte said. “I should kill that old fat bastard primate, but Sir Aslatiel won’t allow it. I’ve about had it up to here with the Imperials.”

“It’s not their fault that we missed Mezeta by hours.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Surely you’re not suggesting they’re in league with her?”

Lotte shook her head. “It’s no coincidence where she’s supposedly gone.”

“The Teufelsbrucke.” Taki looked at Lotte. “Where you…”

“Lost miserably and got my life ruined.” She laughed. “It’s also the gateway to southern Ursala. The Imperials want it badly. That Reinhard wants me to lead the battle to take it, promising that I’ll corner Mezeta for sure. It wouldn’t surprise me if they’d told her to go there.”

“But he said Mezeta’s a threat,” Taki said. “Why would they let such a threat simply walk away?”

“Because they only think of their own campaign. They don’t care much for our pain. But fine. I’ll take the damned fortress if there’s even a chance of sticking it to the old witch.”

“And I’ll follow you there as well.”

Lotte pursed her lips. “You might eat those words later.”

“Captain, are you worried about the fight?”

“Aye. Von Halcon is under the impression that I should lead the battle because I’ve been there before. I’ve told him I never got past the bridge, but he’s stubborn.”

“I think he’s a good judge, though.”

She smiled. “You’ve taken quite a liking to him, and he to you.”

“I suppose,” Taki said. “But I said once I’d follow you to the end. I won’t renege on my promise.”

“Natalis, you make me regret many things.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

Taki tensed but relaxed quickly. His shaking hands went to just under her chin, and he brushed the tips of his fingers against the sides of her neck. He heard the footsteps from the hall too late.

“Taki, the fat man sent someone, and he’s asking for—” Enilna let out a squeak as she entered.

Lotte immediately broke off the embrace. Gooseflesh erupted on Taki’s neck, and his mouth went dry.

“Tirefire.” Enilna croaked. She averted her eyes from either of them. “He’s…he’s waiting in the stairwell.”

“Thank you, Shpejtspate,” Lotte said. “Send him up.”

Enilna turned stiffly and bounded away.

Taki started after her, but Lotte grasped his arm.

“The new caller first,” she said.

He had no choice but to agree.
Enilna’s just a friend, anyway. We made sure at the festival.

Heavy footsteps sounded from the stairs. Taki checked again to make sure his Herstal was at his side. Why would a messenger from the primate wish to talk to Tirefire specifically, and not Aslatiel or the rest of Alfa? Before he could muse further on this question, the Archangel Jibriil stepped in.

Taki’s hand instantly shot to his side arm, and he freed it from its holster. He aligned sights on the man but stopped when Jibriil knelt in supplication.

“I’m unarmed! Stay your hand.” He raised his chin and locked eyes with Taki. “Please.”

Lotte gently pushed the Herstal’s muzzle down. “We won’t hurt you, Jibriil,” she said. “Unless you try to hurt any of us.”

“I swear on my honor, though I know it means little to either of you,” Jibriil said. “I come in peace, as a messenger of His Holiness the primate of Astarte—”

“Your master is the exarch,”
Taki spat with vehemence that surprised even him.

Jibriil cast his gaze down. “Nay, Sir Taki. I am a dog of Astarte now. I no longer hold the title of archangel or the name Jibriil.”

Lotte sucked her teeth. “Tell me what happened, Sion.”

Sion?
Taki reeled.
That’s the name of the soldier she chose to live! The one she sacrificed her betrothed for!

Jibriil shook his head. “It’s far too shameful, Lady Lotte.”

Lotte squatted and stared at him. “Humor me.”

“After Mezeta deserted, the Usurper Amilia was furious. I’m told she raged for a day straight. Soon after, she forced Exarch Constantine to abdicate his post. I’m told he digs for potatoes in Thraike now.”

Lotte slowly shook her head. “At least he wasn’t killed outright. Did a similar fate visit you three?”

“No, milady. We were spared. We agreed to govern the Temple as a triumvirate, with plans to choose a new exarch once things quieted down. Then, Michail and Yuriel plotted in secret against me. I woke up one night in shackles with a blade sunk in my chest. My own men laughed while they stuffed me into a coffin and nailed it shut. I feared they’d bury me alive but instead, they chucked me into the sea. I must’ve floated some way, because when the lid came off it, I saw chevaliers. They brought me to the primate as a prize, and he’s sheltered me since. The man’s a sinner, but he’s honorable enough.”

“So Michail and Yuriel are in charge now?” Lotte chuckled. “What a ludicrous couple.”

Jibriil shook his head. “Michail’s exarch now. Yuriel’s body was found soon after my ‘funeral.’ I’m told the corpse was only recognizable by a jeweled piercing on the…pudendal area.”

“That’s her, all right,” Lotte said. “So, what did the new basileus think of this? Will Michail get chopped soon?”

“The Usurper seems not to care,” Jibriil said. “The Temple survives. Perhaps it’s better off now. I wouldn’t know.”

A grim smile crept across Taki’s face. Jibriil had finally gotten his just deserts, even if the new exarch had failed to actually kill the man. The fallen archangel kneeling before Taki had none of the self-assured swagger that he’d possessed before the conquest. The man’s hollow cheeks and dulled eyes were in stark contrast with the pride and power that he’d held. Once, Taki had prostrated naked and freezing and contrite before Jibriil.
And now…
he let out a soft chuckle.

“Natalis.” Lotte shot him a chastising glance.

“Milady, he has every right to gloat,” Jibriil said. “Sir Taki, your scorn is justified. I treated you and your fellows very badly. I was arrogant and spiteful, and for that, I apologize. I beg your forgiveness, and I’ll work hard to earn it if you’ll give me the chance.”

“
Fool.
I’m
not the one you should be bowing and scraping to,” Taki said, and crossed his arms.

“Indeed. The one I’ve treated most terribly is beside you,” Jibriil said. He lowered his head to Lotte. “While I recovered from my wounds, I reflected heavily on the actions that brought me here. I acted in an uncouth and abusive fashion to you, milady. I failed to pay you the respect you deserved as a warrior and trod on your liberty. I…I forced myself on you many a time.”

“Sion,” Lotte said, “it wasn’t that way. I could’ve killed you at any time had I felt you were…”

“Milady, I call it what it was. It was coercion, even if only backed by words. It was rape. I don’t expect you to forgive me, and I won’t ask for it.”

With a sound mimicking an explosion, Draco and Hadassah burst into the room. Jibriil barely had time to turn his head before the pair set on him with their fists and feet. He curled and did not resist.

“Stop this at once!” Lotte bellowed. She took each of them by their collars and flung them into separate corners of the room. “That’s an
order
!”

“He admitted it!” Draco roared. “He finally fucking admitted it! Lemme at him!”

“Cut the shitlord’s balls off, and I’ll be happy!” Hadassah said.

“I won’t repeat myself,” Lotte said. “Move closer, and I’ll break your faces. This man is here as a messenger of the primate of Astarte. He may be essential to our mission here. No one is to mistreat him. Especially not you, Natalis.”

Jibriil pulled himself to one knee and wiped the blood away from below his nose. “Thank you, milady, though I understand their sentiments. My presence disturbs many, so I’ll be brief. The primate is ready to consider an alliance.”

Taki glowered. “We killed his princess and lost one of our own, and he’s ready to
consider
an alliance?”

“His words, not mine, Sir Taki. He had two requests of the Imperium, and the Imperium has fulfilled one. The second is thus: your forces are to venture north, to the lands of the Ulrichtochten.”

It was Lotte’s turn to glower. “The Cantons? What could the primate
possibly want
with those barbarians?”

“His Holiness predicts the Imperium’s eventual victory. Thus, he would like to establish an agreement between the mountain women and Astarte in the interest of continued trade and peace.”

“So he wants them to not kill his traders when they venture too far off the path,” Lotte said. “But there’s a problem. None of us know the area well, and I doubt that any in Sir Aslatiel’s company do, either. We’d be killed quickly.”