“You’re worried this executioner will betray you?”
“Yes.”
“But I haven’t seen a Second around camp.”
“No, the current Second remains in Trel, but she is not the person I am concerned about. She is my daughter.”
“I thought Marl was your whelp?”
“She is, but Marl is the younger daughter.”
“Then who are you worried about?”
“The previous Second. Your brother-in-law. Legionnaire Taehrn Andren.”
“I’m here because I hate him,” Trin realized. “You want an ally against him.”
“Yes, among other reasons.”
“What other reasons?” Trin found that she was no longer upset, but approaching giddy. Subversive plots against Taehrn just had that effect on her.
“Your relationship to Bell Cobbren.”
“What does he have to do with this?”
Cyleste turned back from the cloth and finally faced Trin head on. “The High Cleric is very particular about his personal guard. When he sent me two of them to serve as scouts, I was delighted, until I learned that one of them was very close with Taehrn Andren.”
“Yeah…” Trin said. “The three of us have known each other forever. Bell has always been loyal to Taehrn. He looks up to him for some reason.”
“And well he should. Taehrn Andren becomes Executioner, and within the month, Bell Cobbren is given a respectable posting at the stockade, without any prior experience or qualifications. A few years down the line, Taehrn Andren is raised to First Legionnaire, and my what a surprise, Bell Cobbren becomes a legionnaire himself. From what I’ve seen of Bell’s career, he has every reason to look up to the man.”
“Now hold on. There’s a lot more to it than that.”
“Oh, you have knowledge of Bell Cobbren’s experience that my records lack?”
Trin blushed. “Well no… but Bell’s grandmother was Magistrate before Godahn… Can’t give all the credit to Taehrn. Besides, I know what you’re implying. Bell’s not like that. He wouldn’t accept Taehrn’s help in that sort of thing, not if he knew it came like that.”
“Are you certain of that?”
“Yes,” Trin said. And she was. Bell was a good person.
“Do you trust Bell?”
“Absolutely.”
“Can I trust Bell?”
“I think so, yes.”
“And if it comes down to me or Taehrn, can I trust Bell?”
Trin paused for a moment. She wasn’t sure what to say. Bell was a good man, but his attachment to Taehrn went deeper than simple friendship. For some godsforsaken reason, he idolized Taehrn. The naïve fool saw only the best in people.
“I don’t know,” Trin hesitated. “All I can say is that you can trust him to do what’s right.”
The Grand offered a grim nod. “Thank you, Trin. That will be all.” Cyleste turned for the exit.
“Wait,” Trin said.
The legionnaire paused, glancing over a shoulder.
“What about Jem?”
“Who?”
“The boy Taehrn took to scribe. Why was he pulled into this?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve been wondering that myself. You know the boy?”
“Yes, he’s a friend.”
“And you’ve known him longer than Taehrn has?”
That question startled her. “Well, yes, I believe so.”
“But you aren’t certain?”
“No, ma’am. I suppose I’m not.” It couldn’t be possible though. There was no way that Jem and Taehrn could have known each other. Then again, this was Taehrn. Anything was possible when it came to that butchering bastard.
Trin shook her head then spoke more firmly. “No, I’m certain. They hadn’t met before Lane.”
Jem had spared her life after she had attacked him. She trusted him more than she did anyone. Well, as far as she could trust anyone, of course. Between Taehrn and Fate, that wasn’t very far.
Cyleste seemed satisfied with Trin’s answer as she turned to leave.
“Now hold on,” Trin said. “What about Taehrn? What do you intend to do about him, and what does it have to do with Bell?”
The Grand Legionnaire turned and studied her. “I intend to march. Tomorrow morning.”
“You mean to Derlin? Well everyone knows that. It’s been spread all around camp that half the army’s leaving to prepare the way for the rest of us. What’s that got to do with anything?”
“I am not marching to Derlin Keep. I am leaving Taehrn behind, so that he cannot influence this war. When I leave for Derlin tomorrow, it will be with the intention of marching toward Dekahn. For those I take with me, that means a quick assault and a quicker end to this war.”
Trin had to stifle her laugh. “You’re just going to march up to Dekahn with half an army and knock on their gates?” She was no military genius, but even she knew that was suicide. “Isn’t that a bit dumb?”
“It will be dangerous, yes.”
“Well, aren’t there better ways to spite Taehrn than getting yourself killed?”
Cyleste smiled. “Perhaps,” she said. “But I suspect that bringing Taehrn and his regiment along would be more dangerous than leaving him behind. Besides, I have faith in our god.”
Trin frowned at the Grand as the woman turned to leave. Our god? Trin wondered.
As she reached the exit, Cyleste stopped and turned. “Ah, one more thing,” she said. “Will you be needing those shelves in your future plans?”
“No, just the cart.”
“Perfect. I will send someone to retrieve them.” With that, she stepped out of the tent. From the words that drifted in, she didn’t get far. “Speak of the bitch,” the Grand quoted.
“And it will come,” Bell finished.
With the setting sun behind them, the shadows on the canvas were long and thin, but she could still distinguish Bell’s shape.
“Good evening, Grand.”
“Good evening, Legionnaire. We were just speaking of you. You are coming to speak with Miss Cavahl?”
“Yes, Grand. We’re setting up for dinner and I thought I’d escort her.” An awkward pause. “You’re welcome to join us.”
The Grand chuckled. “Thank you, but no. Perhaps another time.”
“Of course.” Bell’s shadow brandished a noodly arm that swept up to his chest – a gesture he hadn’t offered at greeting. See, Trin marveled, when in Butcher’s name do they do it? I still don’t get this saluting shit.
“Dismissed,” Cyleste said.
Bell’s hand and head dropped together and then the two shadows stepped through one another. Bell entered the tent. His uniform was as tight fitting as ever over his broad chest. Trin was rather fond of looking at Bell, but unlike a man, she had actual talent in subtlety.
Men always spoke about their damned peripherals, but that shit was nonsense. A woman could notice when a man’s eyes were bugging into the sides of their sockets to follow her. People look at each other. That was a blooding fact, so there was no reason to hide it. The key was to instead hide the emotions while looking at a person. She couldn’t let Bell know she found him attractive, so she made her observation seem more casual.
It was definitely a shame how Bell forced himself to live. It must be awful to be in love with someone who could never return the feelings. With his brown eyes, well-maintained hair, and muscular build, he could have anyone. As most Drennish families were members of the Priest’s Caste, Bell’s dark bronze coloring and last name made him even more desirable. That was what made Bell’s situation so sad, because she knew that he could find the perfect man if he’d just stop pining after Taehrn.
“Evening, Trin,” he said, looking at her askance.
She realized her mouth was hanging open. So much for subtlety. It was this damned job. That had to be it. Too much sitting and not enough socializing, she was growing so bored that she was fawning over everyone – even Bell.
“Shut the fuck up,” sh
e said. It was so much easier to make him feel the fool – even if he had no idea why – than admit she was acting like one.
It didn’t work and the idiot just smiled at her. “Bad meeting?” he asked.
“Nope. Not for me. She hates your boyfriend as much as I do.”
Bell didn’t bat an eye at the title she had given Taehrn. The poor fool must think he has a chance. Or he’s used to my glowing charm.
“She asked about Taehrn?”
“Yep, and about you.”
The look Bell gave her was accusatory and admonishing. “You shouldn’t be telling me that. It’s not my business what she told you in confidence.”
“You’re the one that asked. And I’d say what she said about you is your business. If you don’t know what everyone thinks of you, how’re you going to not care what they think? Besides, she didn’t tell me not to say anything.”
She left out the part where the Grand had asked Gin to leave the room. After all, Bell was convinced it was none of his business, which meant Trin could pick and choose what she wanted to tell him.
“All right,” Bell said. “Well, what did she say then?”
Lies: Trin marketed to herself, the first step in getting what I want. Ah, this bastard’s lucky I’m not as sadistic as Taehrn or I’d have scammed him out of those pants years ago.
“She wanted to know if she could trust you.”
“And?”
“I told her the truth. You’re a damned egotistical butcher who could turn any situation on its head to get forward, and that even now, you were plotting a way to profit off the misfortune of her soldiers, and to sleep with half a dozen of them to boot, before taking their coin purses and their swords to sell to their enemies.”
“No,” Bell said. “That’s you.”
“Yeah, but the Grand don’t need to know that.”
“Well,” Bell said, a half-suppressed smirk on his lips. “I’m sure they’d give you their swords, but I don’t know many men that would let you poke into their coin purse.”
“Who said I was talking about the men? There you go projecting again.”
Bell laughed and Trin couldn’t help but join him – sometimes she was too much of a comedic genius for even her to handle.
“I told her I could trust you to do the right thing.” Trin let the humor and sarcasm lapse. Bell needed to know what he was getting into if he was going to play at politics with Taehrn and the Grand Legionnaire. She wasn’t stupid and this wasn’t about the Grand’s privacy or about what Trin wanted for herself. This was about keeping Bell safe because he was one of the good ones who had stood by her since childhood. “She’s worried about Taehrn.”
“Did she say why?” Bell asked.
“No, but she’s a smart woman. She can see what I’ve been trying to tell you since I was twenty and you were sixteen. I know you won’t listen, but you shouldn’t trust Taehrn, and I hate to say it, but I’m afraid those two are going to pull you into something worse than the spurned lover bullshit that you’ve had between Taehrn and me. They’re going to test your loyalties, Bell, and after her visit here, I can tell ya that I’m more than willing to throw in with her than I will with Taehrn.”
“I’m used to politics, Trin. This is just some minor power struggle. In the end, the war will be over, Taehrn will receive a commendation, and then he’ll move on to some higher calling within the priesthood, maybe even a deaconship. I’ll go back to the Owl Guard, the Grand will keep her post, and that’ll be the end of it.”
Trin had to admit – certainly not aloud – that Bell’s explanation sounded reasonable. It was the exact sort of thing that Taehrn would be aiming for, but it didn’t explain why Cyleste gave a shit, unless maybe she was looking to retire to a deaconship herself and didn’t want it going to Taehrn. All right, she didn’t care that much if Bell knew he was right.
“Okay fine, I’ll believe you, but I won’t like it.” Actually, she did kind of like it. If Taehrn became a deacon, that would solve her problems with the estate. Her bastard ex, bastard sister, and the little baby bastard wouldn’t be grubbing to gouge her father’s business, and best of all, Taehrn would be Trellahn’s problem instead of hers.
Trin pointed to a tent and two cots she’d set aside. “Grab those for me, would ya?”
“Sure, what are they?”
“A tent and some cots. I’m tired of sleeping on the floor and there’s no reason Jem and I should be sharin’ that dinky little tent.” The tent that she and Jem had been sharing was a two-person squalor that they could barely stand in. This one was a deluxe version, large enough for eight people. It was likely reserved for someone in command or some shit, but Trin didn’t really care. If they were going to force her into this job, then she was going to enjoy all the perks.
She picked up one of the cots and he grabbed the other and the tent. Bell looked at her for direction and she nodded toward the entrance. She let him lead the way.
“Are you feeling all right today?” Bell asked.
“Dandier than a three-legged courtesan on Whore’s Wednesday,” Trin answered.
“You know what I mean, Trin. You put on a good face, but you seem sadder of late.”
She did know what he meant, but the blooder didn’t get that she didn’t want to think about all the shit in her life. But this was Bell, her oldest and truest friend. She could lash out at him, berate him, mock and humiliate him, and he’d come back tomorrow with a damned smile on his face. It was annoying how he could just ignore all her insults like that. That was the problem with having friends who knew her well enough to know she didn’t mean most of what she said. At least now she had Jem to harass, though even he was starting to catch on. She had made half a dozen jokes about him pleasing Taehrn in a sexual fashion and the boy hadn’t taken a single one to heart. All he did was smile and nod – just as he does while he’s sucking Taehrn’s cock.
Trin snorted. That’s a good one. She noted it for later use.
“I’m fine, Bell, really. It’d be easier to deal with if I had some alcohol though,” she hinted.
“Not going to happen.”
“Fine, ya jerk,” she said.
She knew Bell’s limitations and responsibilities. She and Acklin would make a still and their own moonshine and everything would be fine without putting Bell at risk. Trin lifted the cot in her hands, rebalancing the weight to the other arm, and studied Bell. He wouldn’t relent until she gave him something.
“I don’t think it’s really set in yet,” Trin said. “I know that when I go back to Trel he won’t be there and that’s when it will really hit me, but right now it just hasn’t set in. It’s awful because I feel like I should be grieving, but the trouble is I spend so much time apart from them that even knowing he’s dead, it just feels like I’m still on the road and we’ll see each other again when I’m done. I just can’t fathom that he won’t be there when I get back.” She realized she was starting to repeat herself and stopped. Rambling was fine, but she couldn’t stand those moments where she found herself reiterating points she had already made.
Bell said nothing.
“Well shit, if you don’t have any help to offer don’t make me face it, you dick.”
“Sorry,” Bell laughed.
He had that habit of chuckling whenever he was nervous. Trin found it inappropriately amusing. There was silence for another few seconds as Bell’s gaze wandered the camp, in fear or avoidance she wasn’t sure. She let her eyes do the same, taking in the sunset over the neat rows of tents.
Finally, he regained his manhood and spoke. “Is that all that’s been bothering you, Trin? We never talked about how you got that black eye and the gash on your forehead.”
Mercifully, she didn’t have to answer. Bell had waited too long to ask, and when they stepped up to camp, Jem was already waving from the fire and standing to meet them. His reddish-brown hair had been cut short like a legionnaire’s. The speech she had given the boy must have worked, because he’d stopped the bro
oding. Indeed, he seemed to be opening up and she was growing rather fond of him. Without the hateful, whiney retorts, Jem was actually a pleasure to be around.
It was a remarkable difference, but she was afraid he might be growing too close to Taehrn. She didn’t know Taehrn’s motives, but it wouldn’t be to Jem’s benefit – just as they hadn’t been to hers.
“Can I help you carry anything?” Jem asked.
“Sure,” Bell said, holding up the tent bag. “Start setting this up behind my own, would you? Trin will come join you in a second.”
Jem leapt to be useful, taking the tent and moving to obey.
“You were saying, Trin?”
Bastard, Trin thought. She’d forgotten that Bell was intelligent enough to orchestrate some privacy.
The black eye had already healed. The gash was still a bit sore, but it was no longer noticeable. She didn’t want to think about what had happened, about what Fate had made her do, so she decided to give him an answer that was vague – one that satisfied his interest, but didn’t give him any details. She didn’t want to face it, and was that such a bad thing? Companionship had eased the more sinister thoughts and she didn’t want to go back to them.
“A man attacked me, Bell. I did what I had to.”
Bell’s lips folded inward as the corners of his mouth pulled taught. It was that grim smile of disgust and understanding that came with shock. When Bell opened his mouth to speak, she decided she didn’t want to hear his words, so she gave him a bit more.
“He hit me over the head with a rock and tried to pin me down. I stabbed him with my belt knife and left him to die. What’s done is done, Bell, and I don’t regret it. Please, don’t ask any more questions. I’d rather forget.”
“Don’t think that it’s Fate.”
“And how could I not, Bell? You might be right about the others, but this one was me. The knife was in my own hand.”
“But it’s not the same. This one is justified, Trin. It’s something that could happen to anyone. Don’t lump it in to be the same as the rest. Don’t make it into another sign that some god is trying to make you into something dark.”
Death's Merchant: Common Among Gods - Book One Page 33