by Matt Wilk
“The hilt grants only one small bit of power- to every fiber of your being.”
The thunder rolled in behind his words and we were struck by the perfection in his description. After so many days of training, we became aware of all the limitations of the Lantos implant. We came to understand that we would die all the same as any man. Nothing could be done if one were drowned or dropped from a cliff, but, piercing and slashing wounds always healed so quickly that we lost little blood. Major Swiftblade explained that the many scars I had accrued would take many years to fade- at least they would. My height and mass would remain as humanly as any other, unlike the extremely altered musculature of those with the silver swirl. However, a deep enough wound would scar us all just the same and he jokingly warned me not to earn the mark of shame. I bowed to his wisdom. I was incapable of picturing him turning me into a marker the way the ferryman had done to his own son.
On our last night at the compound, Majors Bloodaxe and Swiftblade set out on a final hunt with the hopes of returning empty handed. It was better for everyone in the long run to be rid of all the predators stalking close enough to town that a child could get lost and accidentally become prey. Unfortunately, they left the Lady Bertrada alone with the three of us. When she called me for an aside, I was struck hard with the nervous shakes. It took quite some time and effort for Senjay to earn her respect, including fixing the cart door she had broken, and I did not want to ruin it for him. I entered the office to find it just as unused as our first day and she was already sitting in the only chair. She had her boots off with her feet on the desk and she was a bit on the tipsy side.
“Listen up boy. I’m in the mood to be sweet.”
“Why thank you ma’am.”
“Don’t condescend with that tone while I’m still aware of it.”
She finally returned a smile, quickly hiding it behind a swig from her wine horn. She gestured to a stool hidden behind the open door and bid me scoot it closer to her before I sat down.
“Before you go off and die trying to bait out some monster, I wish to tell you a story- your story. It begins with your father. Do you know where you come from?”
“I only just discovered the true nature of many things. Honestly ma’am, most people called me ‘Gojinus’ as an insult. And, it was always accompanied by a spit.”
“Ha! By a spit. Yes, Gojin-”
She spit and had a laughing fit. The chair almost fell over backwards, forcing her to right herself.
“Right, I was saying…”
“You were in Ulfbar that day weren’t you?”
“Ah yes, the day of days.”
She muttered those words to herself, over and over, closing her eyes to conjure the memory. I looked around and sat up while I waited. I could barely hear Senjay shushing Lazarus and refusing to go back down the stairs. Major Talon was becoming less aware of her surroundings as she raced to finish the horn with her eyes closed, crossing her legs on the desk and sinking deeply into the chair. She looked comfortable, but, her face filled with a genuine sorrow.
“More than twenty years had passed since the Swillians put down their arms. Your father was not the first ambassador to sneak in, trading cargo to snoop around.”
“But, ma’am, what were you doing there? Surely you were not raised in Ulfbar?”
“No, the truth is much worse than that I’m afraid. You see, I was making the sacrifice of pain to the allFather.”
“And how did they justify that, ma’am?”
“Oh, you imply my innocence? Very smart of you boy. But no, I was guilty.”
“Well I’d much rather hear that tale. Everyone knows…what came next.”
“Is that so?”
She huffed and sucked her teeth. Once she had decided how best to continue, she sat up straight and interlocked her fingers on the desk.
“Losing a son- even to the flu- is a sin to the Slorrick. The priest will say it is a sign of weakness, but I disagree. No matter, I was arrested anyway. The brother Wellings was so young, he decided to die with his innocence. Because he did not have the strength to take his own life, he saw me as an angel- sent by the gods to do it for him.”
“So, you killed him out of mercy? Then why not first take his key?”
“Nowhere for me to go. No care to even look. Lose a baby, tell me how clear you think.”
“Then, you were guilty of murder. Why did they still flog you? You should have been headed straight for the mine.”
“One must first appease the gods. Then, off to burn the girl for killing a Deputy.”
“That is pure madness. Wellings does not even deserve such power.”
“That face you make, the voice trembling with a deep anger. That is Gojinus.”
There was no proper way to reply to such a claim. If her intent was to provoke that reaction, then I had given her exactly what she wanted. It was odd to think of my voice changing so much. Of course it would, with my whole core squeezing so tight- along with my fists.
“They stripped me bare before tying me up. I am the reason why that is now illegal. That and the weak rope. The Sheriff began his speech and he was interrupted, just like that.”
She pointed at me and then mimicked me, or rather, she did her best to become as Gojinus. Her whole body flexed and she slammed her fists down on the table. Her voice changed with a practiced tone and I felt an odd twinge of familiarity.
“How dare you mortals lay your hands on such a fine vessel. You know nothing about the will of the gods. Why else would they wrap her in such a fine silk of gold? She is their holy gift to me. For I am Gojinus- Emperor of all the world!”
Her hands opened and she kept her eyes on them to keep me from seeing her tears.
“The Queen’s spies were also in the crowd, but, for all they spoke of justice, they would have only watched as I was whipped and then burned alive. Gojinus, he cut me down. He saved my life. When Wellings tried to stop him, one of the prince’s guards punched the life from his eyes. The bastard pulled my naked body onto him and kissed me. Then he tossed me to his men, and-and-and he started a war.”
She wiped her face. I was already doing the same. Senjay and Lazarus were sniffling down on the stairs and I thought if she caught them at that point she might have killed them.
“They tried to take me back to his ship. They did not expect a fight. Either way, when the battle was finally won, long after midnight, we found your mother there. You were asleep, as if nothing had happened at all, wrapped in her dead arms. Just another suicide.”
Major Talon nodded and got up quickly to leave. I worried that Senjay and Lazarus would get caught on the stairs, until they opened door loudly and let the dogs rush in.
“Matthius, how much trouble have you caused this time?”
“Shut your face and shut that door right now!”
Major Talon bought their ruse as her anger quickly clouded her perception. She stomped around the hungry dogs to put a knife hand in my face and yell one last time.
“You will never speak of this again! Do you understand me?”
“Yes ma’am, I mean no ma’am. I mean, of course not.”
She straightened up and wiped the last remnants of tears from her face.
“Good. I don’t want people to think I’m some freak like my cousin Besha. Ugh. I was young and angry once, do not repeat my mistakes.”
We all felt horrible about tricking her, however, it was about time someone revealed the secret history of us all. We had a right to know the truth. From there, we all vowed to take her personal story to the grave. Majors Bloodaxe and Swiftblade returned to camp long after dinner. Lazarus quickly cooked them up a second helping. They had found no more predators within the desired boundary and, even better, they did stumble across an early bloom of sloth cakes. The flat sour melons made a sticky mess but it was the first dessert in quite some time, and we treated it as though it might be our last.
The weather was turning bad early on the last day. A cold wind blew in from th
e northwest and the scattered rain smacked us hard from an angle parallel to the ground. Lazarus was distraught at how ugly the rain drops made our armor look. He was so concerned with the final inspection that we spent all night buffing the shells until you could read the stars off the pristine reflection. He had even gone so far as to borrow a knife and have us all shave our faces bare.
“Alright, Corporal Cadre, it’s getting to be about that time. Go ahead and fall ‘em in.”
“Sir yes sir. Fall in!”
Lazarus slid the stable door open all the way and revealed the Majors- lined up in wait. Major Swiftblade smiled at us, as we were already lined up in the same fashion. Lazarus made his steps and waited to report. Major Bloodaxe walked up and down the carts first, nodding at the tidiness. We were much more prepared than they had expected and, rightfully so, it filled them with pride.
“Report.”
“Sir, the squad is ready for inspection.”
“Begin.”
Lazarus dropped his salute and spun around to survey us and wait for the nod. Major Talon stood behind Senjay, caressing his clean back shell. The Black Diver armor was so clean I could clearly see bits of lightning reflected amongst the coming storm clouds. Major Swiftblade physically turned my head back to the front and gave the nod.
“And the stalls?”
“Cleared of all organics.”
“The steeds?”
“Scrubbed from hoof to horn sir.”
“Status of their horns?”
“Quite the rush sir, but they’ve been smoothed and sharpened. No cracks, no cavities.”
“My dogs?”
“Under cover and tied together.”
“Good call, given this wind. The building itself?”
“Floors swept, windows sealed, ready to be locked up sir.”
“And the key?”
“Right here sir.”
I smiled too deeply for it to go unnoticed. Major Bloodaxe flicked his eye to me while grabbing the key. He glanced for only one moment, but it was all the time he needed.
“You truly believe your squad is ready to move out?”
“Sir yes sir.”
“Then why does Matthius have no shirt?”
Lazarus almost spun around. He tensed up and refused to fall for the trick. Before he responded with a wrong answer, I took responsibility for my decision.
“Burned that goat vest last night sir.”
“I-I ordered him to sir.”
“Oh? And why was that?”
“No need to spread fear in town sir.”
“Stop speaking out of turn boy-o.”
“Sir, the smell would not wash out. It failed my inspection for the last time sir.”
“Ahaha! That smell. Right you are Corporal. Lock her up and receive your final order.”
“Sir yes sir.”
No one moved while we waited. Major Bloodaxe looked us up and down, issuing his own personal brand of final judgement.
“Got too much barbarian savage in your blood son, being as you’re full grown and still wider than you are tall.”
“Thank you sir.”
“Ha! More like half-a-barbarian.”
“Yes ma’am. Thank you ma’am.”
“Don’t know what happened to you twiggy. You lot ate more than your share of vitamins and bone powder. Somehow, you lost weight. And you’re a lefty? All I can say is, you had better learn to fight.”
“I’ll be the Knockout King for you sir.”
“Ha! Don’t inflate his ego any further Carolus.”
“Finished sir.”
“Right then, lock it up all of ya’s. Corporal Cadre.”
“Sir.”
“After a triad abroad, you’ll all be certified Cadets. You find a town you’d like to settle down in and I’ll personally testify to your proven record as a leader. If you live long enough, you’ll have the choice of posts and I guarantee you a lateral transfer as left-tenant in training for no longer than that first melt. You’ve earned it.”
“Yes sir. Wow, thank you sir. You’re too kind sir.”
“Am I now? Well, as your final order, I hereby release you from the burden of command. Recruit, you may rejoin the ranks of your peers.”
“Sir yes sir.”
Senjay and I clapped for Lazarus. Major Bloodaxe quickly dropped his salute and snuck a punch at Lazarus low in the stomach. This time, the strike was blocked perfectly and he got a good pat on the shoulder. The giant let out his fierce whistle and the steeds came running up the slope from their morning graze. They shook at their straps and took their time settling in to pull the carts again after such a long break. We were safely under the green and growing canopy when gusts of rain blew in from all the other directions. Luckily, the sloths had all moved back to the ground after the thaw, so none of the trees were heavy enough to snap. The high road was taken at a slow and miserable pace. I shook from having no shirt, but, it would have been wreaking from mixing with all that rain water. As we crossed over the bridge, Senjay stood up in his cart and bellowed out across the gulch.
“The gods don’t want us in Embraun boys! Behold, I raise my fist in defiance!”
He stopped standing when Lady Bertrada spun around and slapped him in the back of the head. He still knew how to make us laugh when we needed it most. The west side of the high road was equally as miserable. I eventually caved in to the chattering teeth and wrapped up in my bed roll. The rain had already soaked it through but I refused to let my spirit drop. The city was glowing pink from the moment we rounded the southern tip of the final pass. Once the morning sun was consumed by the storm, the city became our only source of light, and the convoy slowly trudged towards it for hours.
Act 3
“It’s all the Early Bells!”
“What?”
The wind was howling off the city wall so loud Major Swiftblade could not hear the distance from his mount to the cart.
“All that pink light sir. It was just the Early Bell growing this whole time!”
He shook his head and threw the hood back up. We were waiting in line to enter the city as if it were after sundown. Even in the freezing rain and wind they forced everyone to wait, so I just hid in my shell. With no hooded cloak, I was already soaked through. I tucked into the rear corner to block the wind, using the shell for a roof. When we finally reached the gate, a guard jumped in and quickly inspected the empty bed. He only rolled back some of the cargo and was eager to speed us on, but not until seeing my face. I held out my empty hands and sat up leaning away to show that I hid nothing. The guard was so heavily cloaked that he flooded the area around his feet, so I bent over to grab my shell before it floated away. The lighting globe came too close to my spots and the Swillian alarm went out without pause. Whatever the message Major Bloodaxe was yelling from up ahead, it either went unheard or it was simply ignored.
“Wait…hands…the air.”
“No, what? Calm down, same side!”
“Now!”
The guard was not speaking to me but to his partner. Once my hands were spread in the air, a noose was wrapped around my neck. I was wise enough to grab the stick and get an armored fist through the loop- as it was not my first time being roped like an animal. I tried to block the guard in the bed from kicking me to my death but he would not allow me to hang in the air long enough to escape. The bastard tackled me out of the cart and held on tight. Even with the gauntlet keeping my airway open, the loop tightened around my arteries and the guard below even kicked out to aid in the breaking of my neck. I drew one last breath and slid my hand out of the gauntlet. The open gate in front of us transformed into a deep hole that sucked all the light from my eyes. With no vision and no air left in my body, I somehow managed to grab the guard by his own windpipe. He let out a choked growl that put an end to the use of my ears. The rain went silent and I no longer felt the drops falling on my face. All the focus I had left went to my free hand. Without permission, my other hand let go of the pole supporting the no
ose. The guard’s throat cracking in my grasp was the last thing I felt before we both went limp.
“Toss that cart for a bow-aaagh!”
The lightning globe burst on the wall protecting the guard above. I had time for a single heart beat and to see the flashing fire before he again tightened his grip. Mine tightened around his partner, who had decided to let go and push away from my grasp- without any success. A bit of the shadow chased toward me with the rest close behind and I again went limp in the noose.
“Charles!”
The pole was cut and I gulped down a whole breath. Major Swiftblade ripped the guard out of my hand as I fell back. Luckily, my back took the brunt of the fall as I was so accustomed to landing on my shell. Major Bloodaxe was yelling at the Swiftblade and pulling him off the fool who had almost killed me. I tried to crawl to my shells before they could float away with only one arm- to prevent being caught in another noose. The once crowded road was completely clear. A boy ran out from the town to steal my shell and I did not have the strength to stop him.
“Sorry about all that bub, just a wee misunderstanding.”
The boy was not afraid. Feeling myself pulled up brought back my sight fuzzy yet proper. The boy was not a boy, but a man. He looked at me cross as I blinked at him. Though I was still too dizzy to get off my knees, his eyes were level to mine.
“The Lantos, they’re not gods, they’re just little.”
“Oh, why- yes, I knew that. Did you not?”
The way he covered my rudeness with a joke made me realize my own offensive remark. I put out my hand and he shook it with his tiny hand.
“Matthius.”
“Bratley. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Sorry about the mess. What happened? I missed most of it.”
“Hmm, yes, being hung has that effect. Well, you scared the mob back to the outskirts and nearly killed Corporal Benson.”
“Did I? Did I?”
Yelling out hurt my throat and caught the attention of the guards tossing the cargo, one of which was Corporal Benson. The Majors were observing from both sides of the cart.