The Truce - 7. Chapter 7

Ysabel was received by Damien personally, welcomed through the gates of his estate with a stony look. She had written to him ahead of time to announce that she was visiting, but she could tell that he wasn’t necessarily pleased to see his brother’s widow.

“General Clarion,” he said reverently.

“General Di Coteau,” she replied. The two grasped arms just below the elbow, in a customary greeting of the country.

“It’s good to see you,” Ysabel said politely. She truthfully didn’t feel that way, but was resolved to be civil. As annoyingly incompetent as he was, Damien was still a general of Nabius, and for that he deserved respect.

“And you,” he said. Ysabel could tell that the feeling of disdain was mutual, but wasn’t surprised by this. Their last few meetings had not gone well, and had mostly ended up with Ysabel degrading the man and criticizing his lack of authority over his people.

“Come with me,” Damien said. “We can take lunch in the parlor, and I’ve had a room prepared for your arrival.”

“That’s very kind of you, Damien.” They walked through the stone gate and past a second ring of walls before entering the main wing of Damien’s palatial home, and Ysabel noted a distinct lack of guards. She knew that not many had been supplied by the region to Alex, and had previously assumed that they were all stationed here.

Where are all of his men? Or maybe he really just has so few? Ysabel had cleared a platoon of soldiers that had been under Damian’s command, for war crimes committed on the Tomacian line. Alexandre had stumbled upon them, and Ysabel had used their eradication as an exercise for strengthening her own army headed by Marcus. She was sure that Damien probably resented her for that, but he had lost all control of those men anyway.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked as they rounded a corner and entered a lavish parlor. A beautiful array of foods had been set out on display for their meeting, and Ysabel noted that he at least must still have money coming into the region.

That’s good. Even if he doesn’t have soldiers, we can use the funding.

“I don’t think anything that will come as a shock to you,” Ysabel said. “I come at the behest of my son, to check in on the contributions to the war effort coming out of this region. You know that your support is critical.” Damien grimaced at that and sat down while making himself a plate.

“This estate spares everything that it can.” The statement was gruff, and Ysabel did not appreciate his attitude.

“Does it?”

“Do you question me, in my own home?” Ysabel paused at that, and gave a sigh.

“Damien, I didn’t come here to argue. You know I’m only here on account of my family.” Ysabel extended a claw on her right index finger, and speared a piece of fruit set up on the table to eat.

“Family,” said Damien while chewing. He swallowed before continuing. “My family is dead. Darion is dead, Ysabel. This future isn’t what he would have wanted, and you know it.” The demon flared to life in Ysabel’s mind at the mention of her late husband, and she struggled to keep it in control.

“Do not presume to tell me what he would have wanted,” Ysabel hissed. “I knew him better than any other soul in this world.” Damien grew a little nervous, and raised a hand defensively.

“Okay, okay. Sorry. I just don’t know how to justify a war to end all wars. Both of our family legacies were built on the foundation of war. With my brother’s passing… don’t you think we ought to honor him through continuing what he did all his life?” Ysabel thought for a moment about that while crafting her answer.

“Darion is dead, that is true. But he’s not the only family that you have. Your niece and nephew are alive. Your daughter is alive. Devan is alive. I am here, too. We need your help in reshaping this world. And if you don’t think that it’s what Darion would have wanted, then use your influence to help shape it once we’ve won.”

He always has been a follower.

“Hmph,” Damien replied. “Personally, I think someone like Yago would have been the better choice to lead. If we are to remake this world, let it be remade in the crucible of fire and glorious battle. The strong have always risen to the top in Nabius, and that’s how things should stay.”

“No,” Ysabel replied, “no I don’t think Yago would be suitable as a leader. He cares only for himself, and would not allow for contributions from others.”

“And Alex would?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“That’s exactly the problem. Nabius needs a mighty hand. I’ve half a mind to throw my lot in with the other side at this point.” Ysabel went unnaturally still at that comment, and the expression on her face made it clear that Damien had messed up.

“How dare you?”

“Ysabel, this goes against our very nature, you know – “ Damien was cut off by Ysabel backhanding him across the face. The slap made a resounding crack, and had her claws been extended they would have shredded his skin.

“I will say this once more, and you will listen. You will do everything in your gods be damned power to support my son and ensure that we win this side. If you choose to betray us, I will make sure that you are hunted down and slaughtered like an animal. You will never live again without watching over your shoulder, and everyone that you love will be hunted down around you.”

“Ysabel, what – “

“Don’t interrupt. I’ll expect an additional 2 platoons sent to Alexandre’s aid along the front line in the next three months. Fail to supply, and you will invoke my wrath.”

“That’s more men than I have currently!”

“I know. I noticed on the way in that you’ve got a severely lacking staff – have you seriously not recovered from your last failed army?”

“That wasn’t my fault.”

“It never is. Do your best. I’ll write for updates periodically, and I expect results.” She stood up, turned, and walked out the direction that she came. Damien’s mouth hung open, and she could feel the rage radiating off of him in waves. Of the Di Coteau brothers, he was always the stupid one.

At this point, there was no way that she would honor Damien with her presence in the form of staying the night. Ysabel felt it was a shame that all of their visits devolved so quickly, but she found herself having less and less patience with people who fail to execute on their promises.

And the prospect of betrayal… that is too grave to consider. Damien and all of his power aren’t anything we couldn’t handle, but I really don’t want to have to contend with anyone else. She looked over her shoulder at a dumfounded Damien, who was rubbing his jaw where she had hit him. With a sigh, she continued on out of the manse.

I’ll find an inn or something to stay at. Why is it always like this with him?

***

Jezebel opened her mail to find a scroll sent from Marion Monciet, whom she was in a covert sisterhood with. Though Jezebel did not know Marion extremely well, they had met on occasion under their mutual tutelage and Jezebel thought that her sister in arms’ passion for killing Alexandre was refreshing.

Now there’s a woman who gets it. She opened the piece of parchment quickly, and read over it’s contents. By the time she was done, she was frowning. Okay, I take it back. This bitch is stupid.

Thumbing the letter, she read over its contents again, disbelieving the lack of resolve that her companion had demonstrated in the past few weeks.

To My Sister-in-Arms Jezebel,

I write to inform you of recent developments in our handling of the Di Coteau situation. My cousin has failed to assassinate the general and has returned to Ironia. It has come to our attention that the common goals of the rebellion and the two Ironian kingdoms may supersede the need to get revenge. Our tutor Almanita always told us to never to place personal vendettas ahead of long-term goals, so I have taken it upon myself to back off and reflect for now. The Monciets, Coynes, and the Di Coteau rebellion are attempting to organize a summit to discuss the best steps forward.

At this summit, I intend to demand a release of all Ironian lands seized by Nabius in the last 30 years, and the restoration of the Monciet throne. Reparation payments will need to be made, and Alexandre will stand trial for his crimes committed against my family after the completion of the rebellion. Should he fail to live out the rebellion, that will also meet my goals.

All this being said, we will meet with their leaders on the dates scrawled on the back of this note. If he fails to agree to my demands, I will not hesitate to execute him in that very meeting. I do not wish to risk war with the Tomacian prince, but I will consider the interests of my people before theirs. I ask you to cease any machinations that you have ongoing related to this issue. In the event that Alexandre loses his war or is killed in the next few weeks at our meeting, Ironia will throw its support behind you, should you prove to liberate our region as you once told me that you would.

Keep Strong,

Marion

Jezebel couldn’t help but feel annoyed at this, given that she and Marion had been so in sync previously. She knew that Marion would do what was best for her, but resented the fact that Marion was not serving her before serving Ironia.

Not that I expected the Coyne boy to succeed anyway… Ironians are no warriors. It’s no wonder their shithole country has been conquered so easily. They’re passive to a fault, and roll over on their backs at the first sign of kindness. The kind of people that settle for mistreatment just because they’re not subject to even worse conditions are the most despicable kind of people. She checked her nails idly, and sighed. That’s the difference between people like me, and everyone else. The ones who can instill the fear are leaders, and the ones who are grateful for their shitty lives are followers.

It didn’t take long for Jezebel to map out a plan, in which she would come out ahead of everyone in this situation. I don’t give a flying fuck about the Ironians – as a matter of fact it would be nice to have Marion and all of the rest of Almanita’s girls to stop calling me ‘sister.’ As if they’re my equals… disgusting. This situation isn’t the good news that I had hoped for, but all adversity is an opportunity.

Jezebel stood up, and began walking from her office down to the dungeons in her estate. The walk only took a few minutes, and she was able to ruminate on what she would do as she went.

The mines have produced an inordinate amount of saltpeter. When combined with charcoal and sulfur, I’ve potentially gotten the most deadly weapon in the continent, and I also have the most of it. As she walked, she passed several installations of statues of the saints of Nabius. Sainthood is the award of innovation, and I can be creative when I need to be.

Jezebel flipped the note in her hand over, committing the dates there to memory. She’s so trusting… why would you give a third party knowledge of the when and where of one of the most important summits to happen since the convention of the Thirteen? Jezebel shook her head, marveling at the stupidity of her comrade.

Elizabeth still works in the Di Coteau estate, and several of my men are stationed in the Monciet territory still. If I can get a wagon of the powder into their meeting, I can take flame to it to kill them all at one time.

Just think… Alexandre Di Coteau, Carlisle Cathcart, Marion Monciet, and Jared Coyne all taken out in one swift move. If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll get that brat Luca as well. I suppose if I don’t, all of his protection will fall after the deaths of his friends anyway. She moved on from that thought, noting Marion’s written advice not to let personal vendettas get in the way of a master plan. No Nabian general has ever taken out leaders from all three continents at one time before. I will become a legend. She turned a corner, realizing that she was almost at her destination.

Once they’ve all been eviscerated, I can make my way to Yago. He’ll take me in for sure, and we can divide up Nabius according to how I see fit. Perhaps I’ll take a few territories instead of just one. I’ll need to let my father know as well, so that he is ready to turn at the right time. I don’t trust Devan, so we can just have him executed afterwards. She smiled thinking of the next stage of her plan, feeling that it was practically the best part.

Besides… if I join Yago, I’ll get to see Talia. She didn’t know for sure, but felt quite confident that her cousin would have been taken to her Uncle’s estate. The generals on the other side of the rebellion seemed to default to his leadership in times of strife, despite their best efforts to keep up appearances of being independent and maintaining full authority.

I’m sure she’s getting tortured every day, and I’m missing it. I’ll get to join in on the fun if I get there soon enough. She arrived at the cell that held Mikhail, stopping in front of the iron bars that held him in a small stone room. He was filthy and smelled terrible, and Jezebel couldn’t help but crinkle her nose at the sight of him. To think, he could have shared in all this glory and more with me.

“Jezebel,” said the smith. His voice was hoarse, and Jezebel realized that she may have forgotten to send sustenance to him a couple of times.

Oops.

“Hello Mikhail,” she purred. “Comfortable?”

“Fuck off,” he spat back.

“That’s not nice,” she said toying with him. “And to think, I’m here to deliver good news.” Mikhail’s face looked a bit confused at that, and Jezebel saw a flicker of hope dance in his eyes. “That’s right,” she cooed.

“What do you mean?”

“There’s been a change of plans due to some recent developments. I’m going to send you to see Talia after all.” Mikhail stood up at that, his hands still bound together by a set of heavy manacles. Jezebel put a key into the cell lock, and opened the door. She walked into the cell, and stood just a few inches away from him.

“What are you playing at?” Mikhail asked accusingly. “I know how you are. There’s no way that – “

“Shh, shh…” Jezebel said while putting a finger up to the taller man’s lips. “You’ll see her soon.” In one swift motion, Jezebel whipped a knife horizontally across Mikhails throat, and opened a thin red line into his flesh. The blade cut tissue and veins, and made a gash that was too deep to recover from. Despite his bravado, Jezebel thought Mikhail looked surprised at the strike.

He fell to his knees, clutching at his throat while blood coursed out of him quickly. He eventually collapsed on the stone, gasping and shaking while the life leaked out of him.

Step one is complete, Jezebel thought as she looked down with a smile. Complete Yago’s wishes. Now, to move on to the next phases. She turned on her heels, and made for the nearest guard to get assistance with the body.

I guess I’ll at least get to contribute to Talia’s pain from afar, for now.

***

Carl rode atop his favorite horse, in a tight ‘V’ formation with Alex directly across from him. The line was headed by an elite Tomacian soldier, and they were flanked by a few Nabians that Alexandre had picked by hand. They took a small group to avoid attention, but had made it up the central line without any difficulties. Alexandre was sure that there had been assassins along the way trying to make their names by killing high-ranking members of the rebellion, but there was nothing that the encampments stationed up the center of Nabius hadn’t taken care of. Elsa Torne had been extremely useful in that regard, and Carl had come to realize that having the largest number of spies of any general had served her well. She probably has just as much power and influence as Alexandre – potentially more. Carl was glad that she was an ally, and had enjoyed the time that they spent with her in the Capitol.

“Thank the gods,” he murmured when the group had passed Mullansburg. They had rounded a bend that he knew well in Alexandre’s territory, and now could see the Di Coteau estate atop it’s hill. He reflected on how the sight of the imposing manse had once been terrifying to him, when he had come under the pretense of slavery to assassinate Darion Di Coteau.

Now, it’s a sight for sore eyes. This place is almost like home. It didn’t take long for the group to arrive at the front gates of Alexandre’s home, and they found Eamon and Luca there waiting for them. While Barclay and Roark greeted some of the other soldiers, Alex and Carl were received by the current leaders of the territory.

“Carl,” said Eamon warmly. Carl extended a smile and his arm, preparing for a warrior’s greeting. Remembering that Eamon wasn’t actually looking at him, he began to speak up.

“It’s good to see you again. My arm is –“ Eamon cut him off, placing his arm along Carl’s perfectly. They grasped each other below the elbow, and Eamon gave a cocky grin.

“It’s good to see you again too.”

Clearly he’s made some improvements.

“Carl!” he heard Luca exclaim. The Cathcart Prince held out his arm to greet Luca in the same way as Eamon, but Luca jumped into a hard hug instead. This made Carl smile, and he returned the hug.

They broke apart, and Carl said “It’s good to see you too buddy.” Carl was almost a full foot taller than Luca, and he had to bend a little bit to hug the younger teen. He ruffled Luca’s hair, and looked to his right to see Alexandre greeting Eamon.

Alex had his hand on Eamon’s shoulder, and was giving his guard a “thank you.”

“Come inside,” Luca said. We have a lot to talk about. There’s been some movement from Lafeye and Orr. Mullansburg is actually doing quite well also, and I’ve got the most recent business accounts to review with you Alex.” Alex nodded, all business.

“I’m sure that can wait,” Carl said. “We’ve got some news for you too. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a recreational visit.”

“We didn’t expect that it would be,” said Eamon factually. Alex nodded, and the four began making their way into the manse. The other soldiers present began to get off of their horses and take them to the stables, while Luca looked around.

“Is Adrian not with you guys?” There was a note of worry in his voice. “He told me that he was going to be with you. I haven’t gotten any mail from him lately, and I assumed that he would be here.” Alex shook his head to either side, and replied.

“No. We think we’ve found a suitable match for him elsewhere, and sent him with my mother to collect the groom.”

“Oh,” Luca said. “Wow. That’s… that’s great. Who is it?”

“Not here,” Carl said. He knew that the house was relatively secure, but also knew from his days as one of its staff that the workers were prone to gossip. Getting overheard could be dangerous to both Adrian and Kade, so he wanted to maintain as much security as possible.

“Got it,” said Eamon. They reached the Di Coteau office, and shut the large door behind themselves. Both Luca and Alexandre made for the chair behind the giant black desk at the head of the room, and awkwardly paused when they realized what each other was doing. They made eye contact for a moment, before bursting into a grin.

“We can stand,” said Alex graciously. Luca nodded.

“So,” piped up Carl, we won’t be staying long. In two days, we’re going to leave for Ironia.

“Ironia?” said Luca and Eamon in unison.

“Why on earth would we be going there?” asked Luca.

“The Monciets and the Coynes,” Alexandre said. “We’re going to enter negotiations with them at a meeting. It’s my belief that they want their lands and control back in exchange for a bit of a truce. If we give them everything back, they won’t engage us.” Luca raised his eyebrows at that, and Carl could tell that he was taking that in. Carl hadn’t forgotten that Luca came from Ironia and was enslaved by Nabian conquerors not long ago.

“That could potentially be a huge advantage,” Luca said after a few seconds. “It would release all of our troops from the Monciet territory, and strengthen the north and the central line.”

“I agree,” said Eamon. “They’re to the west of us anyway, and behind enemy lines. Is there any chance of negotiating in a pincer maneuver?”

“Maybe,” said Alexandre grimly. “I honestly have no idea what the Coyne family’s forces are like. Though I don’t think it’s their intention to fight for us. They likely don’t care whether we win or lose – they just want all of their assets back.”

“And you killed most of the Monciet family,” Carl pointed out. Alexandre flashed a guilty look at that and gave a half-frown, and Carl realized that this probably wasn’t the most productive comment.

“Yeah,” Eamon said, “yikes. What would it cost us to give into their demands?”

“Essentially, nothing,” Alex replied. “Keeping control of the Monciet territory is mostly a drain on our resources. The only reason we have it in the first place is because my father wanted me to have a grand first-mission after graduation from the academy. Its capture was completely for glory – there’s not much of a tactical advantage to holding it now.”

“Production of resources is something we ought to consider,” said Luca. Eamon turned towards Luca, a bit shocked that he was the one of all the group to put up any resistance.

“Luca,” he said.

“What?” said the younger boy sheepishly. “I’m just saying. But I guess their number one export is wine, which isn’t really a critical commodity.”

“Agreed,” said Carl. “So lets plan out our strategy for approaching the meeting. We’ll also need a contingency for escape, the travel route planned, and to determine who exactly we’ll bring. It’s supposed to be an unarmed meeting, but I have no doubt that both sides will bring backup.”

“Yeah,” Eamon said. “We’ll put something together, and Luca and I will come.” Alexandre nodded, looking pleased at that.

“I think that would be helpful.” Carl had talked about this with Alex before, and knew that the optics of having an Ironian on the side of the Nabian council would help. Carl also knew that Luca would pick up on this – not that he doubted that the steward would refuse to go anyway.

“Good,” said Luca. “We’ll start drafting plans in a few hours. For now, lets get settled in. I also want to hear about Adrian’s new suitor.” The group agreed, and Carl gave a quick explanation to Luca.

“Basically, Devan Di Coteau has a long-lost son. He told Alex at the meeting of the Thirteen, and confessed that Yago Clarion had been the one to kill his children all those years ago.”

“I thought Devan killed his own children,” Luca said.

“Most people think that. He let that rumor fly rather than engage Yago. Luckily, Yago got the sex of one of the kids wrong and killed a servant’s daughter rather than Devan’s son. He’s been in hiding ever since, though he himself doesn’t know who he really is.”

“And he’s going to marry Adrian?” Eamon asked.

“Yes,” Alex replied. “Or that’s the hope. Ysabel and Adrian travelled to Devan’s lands a little while ago. Once they pick him up, I expect that they’ll come this way to head out through the northern ports.”

“We’ll do everything in our power to be sure they make it there safely,” Luca said.

“I know you will.”

***

Talia sat cross-legged on the stone floor of her Uncle’s hall, breathing in and out slowly. She was storing her energy, and practicing breathing exercises. Her concentration was upended when Yago strode through the door, flanked by a couple of people in tribal garb. Talia knew that they were from the southern provinces, which were connected to Yago’s territory via tunnels through the mountains. She had seen an increased number of the tribesmen and women in recent days, and wondered why Yago had so many of them in his home. He was carrying a tray with a slab of red meat on it, which was next to a bowl. She couldn’t see what was in the bowl, but had a guess that made her sick to her stomach.

“Talia,” Yago said with a wide grin as he greeted her. “How is my darling niece today?”

“Kill yourself, please,” she replied. Yago smirked at that and continued to his desk unphased.

“Come now child, what’s with all of the hostility? Have I mistreated you during your stay here?” Talia raised an eyebrow at him, and did not give a verbal reply. “I have always treated you so well and given you special attention, your entire life.” Talia’s mouth dropped open at that, Yago’s gall grinding up against every nerve that she had.

“Are you fucking kidding me? I’ve lived with nightmares every day of my life because of you.”

“I know that I do inspire fear, but I’ve never used it against you. Any mental horrors that you face are because of your own shortcomings, and have nothing to do with me.”

“You… you…” her voice got stuck in her throat, and she felt emotion choke her.

“I… I… what?” he asked with a sneer.

“You raped me. For years.” The momentousness of finally confronting her uncle weighed heavily on her chest, but Yago rolled his eyes at the accusation.

“Oh please, Talia. You enjoyed our affair just as much as I did.” Talia was disgusted, the nonchalance of his response throwing her.

“I was a child. Children don’t have affairs.”

“Darling… you were always my favorite niece. I did the same with Jezebel, and she hasn’t come at me throwing wild accusations. As a matter of fact, she’s even reignited our fun a few times.”

“I don’t care what Jezebel has done. She’s an idiotic bitch with no understanding of right and wrong. And she’s not your blood relative.” Yago rolled his eyes again, and set the tray he was holding down on his desk.

“That’s all the more reason to enjoy our time together, niece. Our blood is special. It gives us strength and allows us the use of tools that are not at the disposal of others. You have Clarion blood in you. You have access to more power than anybody else. In my opinion, we should have been reproducing closer to the family for a while now to protect that power.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? You’re actually insane.” The statement was both a declaration and a realization.

“It’s true,” Yago said. “How else do you think your mother got to be where she is today? The sister I grew up with never would have made it in this world without the introduction of some outside power.”

What? Talia thought, slow realization dawning on her.

“Our people have access to an ancient magic – a strength that kills most other men. It was passed down from our ancestors that mixed with the tribes to the south – the descendants of this very territory.”

“You don’t mean…”

“That’s right,” Yago said gleefully. “The Demon. All we need to do is consume the right flesh. It lives dormant in most humans, but then is activated when we take it in.”

“When you eat other people,” she said quietly. “When you cannibalize enough.”

“That’s right,” Yago nodded. “Most of the folks that try to achieve the same die of madness. But our family gains strength. It is the same strength that I offer to you, and will shape the world with.” Yago picked up the tray that he had and held it out to her, and Talia saw that the bowl on it was a soup filled with blood and chunks of people, and she saw hair in it. The sight made her want to wretch, but she held it in.

“You’re sick. Sick and depraved, in every possible way.”

“You might think differently if you try it. Your mother has been ingesting the right amounts all of her life.”

“And it destroyed her.” Yago scoffed at that, but Talia continued on. “Does she even know that that’s why? That you’ve been supplying her with this the whole time? Forcing her to ingest other people?”

“I’ve kept her strong so that she could thrive,” Yago said.

That answers the question. Mother has been a victim of his too, and she didn’t even know it.

“Try it,” Yago beckoned.

“You’re disgusting. I will never engage in that.” Yago clicked his tongue disappointedly, and dipped his finger into the bowl. He put it into his mouth, and pulled it out clean.

“You deny power if you deny me. This is the gift of the ancient goddess Nymira.”

This isn’t magic, Talia realized. It’s a disease. These are quite literally just symptoms that affect the brain, and make one go crazy. Paired with the skills of a Nabian-trained fighter, you might fight like a monster. But you’re no god or goddess.

“Anyway, I thought you might say that,” Yago continued.

We must be able to fight this madness off. That’s why other people who eat the infected die, but mother lives on through it and slowly recovers from her descent. In order to keep her in the demon state, she has to continue eating…

“So I thought I would prepare a demonstration for you.”

I can see how Yago may have supplemented her meals while she was living in the Capitol. He must have men all around her. But who has been satiating the disease since? There must be someone close to her that is providing her meals.

“We’re going to play one of my favorite games.” Talia’s attention snapped to Yago at that, her eyes locking with his in fierce, determined anger. “Since you won’t experience this power for yourself, I’m going to show you what it looks like. You may have heard that I do enjoy the occasional hunt.” Talia nodded, knowing about Yago’s escapades. He often released victims into his lands, to take their chances in the woods and mountains and swamps of Yago’s lands. He would then hunt them down, as if they were an animal.

“I’m going to release you and give you a full day’s head start. If you escape, you escape. Otherwise, you come back to me, and I get to do whatever I want to you. I won’t use any spies or informants – only track you using the power of the demon. No one else but I will track or hinder you.”

“You’re insane.” Yago laughed at that before continuing.

“Quite possibly, but who isn’t? Hopefully, you will be able to see just how powerful this allows us to become. I’ll be able to follow you by scent and sight. Surely a warrior as trained as you with a full day will be able to get away, no?” Talia did have to admit to herself that she felt like she should be able to get away, but felt more and more dread towards her uncle building. She didn’t say anything, and he took that as a sign of her accepting the rules of the game.

Yago lifted the bowl that he had brought up to his lips, and drained it. Talia saw the two tribesman that had entered with Yago smile as they watched, and she now understood the reason why Yago had been so involved with them.

Primitives that still worship old world gods. They think anyone who can survive the Demon embodies a deity.

Talia’s uncle then walked over to her, and raised a key to her restraints. Each one on her wrists and ankles was unlocked, and she rubbed around where they had been, where the skin was raw and sore. Talia looked at the two guards in Yago’s office, taking them in head to toe.

The one on the right has a spear, the one on the left has two knives on his belt. Her eyes dilated.

“Your one day begins now,” Yago said. “Go.”

You don’t have to tell me twice. Talia took off at a run, heading straight towards the guards. The spearman made a surprised face when she leapt at him, and a pained noise when her knee crashed into his face. In the air, she grabbed his spear with her hand twisted upside down. As she fell to the ground with him, she tucked into a roll. Her wrist untwisted, spinning the spear around in a circle so that the pointed end faced the second guard. She thrust it up into him just below the ribcage, and twisted. By the time he had reacted, Talia had removed both knives from his belt. She launched one knife into the neck of the dazed spearman, and took off with the other one in hand.

It would be no use to fight Yago now. I’m not strong enough, and I’m sure he expected a fight. Talia held onto the knife while she ran, flying through the stone halls of Yago’s fortress as fast as she could. It probably hadn’t been necessary to kill the two guards on her way out, but she wanted to arm herself. And anyway, the more of those sick fucks that die, the better.

She ran, trying desperately to think of a way to escape. She knew Yago would have perimeters that she wouldn’t be able to cross, despite him saying that he wouldn’t use informants. She believed that he would hunt her on his own, but the valid field of play in his mind wouldn’t extend beyond his borders. Once she got too close to an actual escape, she knew that he would be alerted and would catch up on horse to get her. I need to think of a way to really escape. I can figure that out later, but for now, the only thing I need to do is run.

So, she did. She ran, as hard and as fast as she could.