Ceyrabeth’s eyes narrowed but Sul cut her off with a gesture. “What did he say, Ceyrabeth?”
“I haven’t the faintest,” She replied haughtily. “I couldn’t think of anything good a talking Taintbrood could say.”
“Dispel the Silence, if you please.”
Ceyrabeth opened her mouth to protest, but one look at his face convinced her to obey. She whispered the counter and stepped back as the creature got to its feet. Ceyrabeth stood directly in front of Sul, ready to defend him.
“Na via lerno Victoria,” The Taintbrood spoke in a rumbling voice. Its visage was distinctly human despite its deformity and its posture was regal as any lord or lady that ever walked Aegreas. The Taintbrood was broad shouldered, as one would expect a creature like it to be, and a whole hand span taller than the Captain. As it shifted, there was the rustle of cloth and the clink of metal.
“Stand aside, Lieutenant.” Sul commanded. Ceyrabeth reluctantly shifted to the side a bit, but her sword remained ready.
“Sir, we still don’t know anything about…it.”
“We know from its speech that he hails from Nevaraak,” He replied, “And he is listening—and comprehending—every word we’re saying,” Turning his attention back to the Taintbrood, Sul continued. “He’s been captured by a foreign force bearing a standard he does not recognize so he is exploiting the ignorance of his captors and hoping to learn as much as he can about us by playing the part of the savage and studying us until he has learned what it is he needs to know: in this case, who is in command of these forces,” Sul turned his bandaged eyes towards the Taintbrood, “Hoc est rectam?”
The Taintbrood’s distorted features twisted into a smile, “Entirely,” His gaze flickered to Tarah, watching and wary, to Ceyrabeth and Eregost standing ready to do battle, then back to Sul “Your Nevaraakese is strange, but I understand it.”
“There is much that you must find strange in the world as it is now,” He beckoned, “Come and we shall discuss it.”
“Captain! You’re not thinking of bringing him into camp?”
Sul turned to her, the corner of his lips quirking in a dry smile. “I believe that things have been...normal, for quite long enough.” He inclined his head to the Taintbrood. “Shall we?”
Ceyrabeth watched them go, worry warring with indecision on her face. “Ceyrabeth.” Sul turned before they had taken too many steps, and smiled at her. A real smile; not sardonic, not a ghostly image of happiness. It was small, not what anyone would consider a face cracking grin, but it was there.
It was also the first time he had addressed her by name, without the descriptive 'Sir or Lieutenant' preceeding it, or her last name tacked on like a shield against familiarity. Ceyrabeth felt her heart slam hard against her ribs. “Are you coming?”
She nodded, inexplicably relieved, and whistled for Eregost who trotted up behind her. “Just try and stop me.”
The most important virtue a warrior must embrace is love. Love of conquest. Love of the cause they are fighting for. Love for your brothers in arms. Find something to love and you will find the path to victory. -Passage from ‘Victor Vinguardis’ (Way of Victory) translated from Daymorian. Author unknown. Currently banned by the Church of Imperius
The Legion Will Rise...
Phoenix Rising Page 29