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by Declan, Brian


  “What the heck did you do?” asked Falcon.

  “I bedded her, or she bedded me. I’m not sure who made the first move,” answered Atilius.

  Falcon laughed, “I’m sure Lord Cumberland wanted to kill you after that.”

  “Worse, he made me marry her,” said Atilius.

  Falcon burst out laughing again, “Should I congratulate you?”

  “Best thing that ever happened to me. She was stunningly beautiful and beneath the screaming she loved me. Gave me two daughters before the fever took her,” said Atilius.

  “Ah,” said Falcon thinking of his own mother. He could not even remember her face.

  “Where are my manners? Let me introduce you to my daughters,” said Atilius. “Stay here, I’ll go find them.” He stumbled out of his seat and pushed through the crowd.

  Falcon’s thoughts lingered on his mother. All he had was a cloudy image and the little bits his dad told him. That Laza took her. In some way, losing her was easier than what happen with his dad. It is hard to miss someone you never knew, but that never stopped him from thinking about her. Wondering if she would be proud of him. Aemilia sat down next to him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

  Aemilia tossed his cloak and medallion on the table, “Here’s your stuff.”

  “Thanks, I forgot I gave it to you,” said Falcon.

  Aemilia leaned on the table. “You mean threw it at me.”

  Falcon let out a quick laugh, “Yeah, well, thanks all the same.”

  Aemilia looked away, “Whatever.”

  They sat there in silence for a little while. Falcon was not sure if he should say something or simply wait for Atilius to come back.

  “You’ve got a pretty tightknit family,” said Falcon.

  “How would you know anything about family?” said Aemilia.

  Falcon froze then closed his eyes trying to maintain control of himself. As cruel as she was, she was right. What did he know about family? All he had was vague memories of a father who threw him away when he was still a boy and tiny bits of information about a mother he never knew. He did not even know his own brother’s name. He felt his chest tighten as the magic from all around clung to him.

  He grabbed his stuff and stood up, “Goodnight.”

  Falcon wandered through the party in a daze, not really focusing on anything. Before he knew it he was standing on the veranda alone. He stood there watching the city until he heard a voice behind him.

  “Your father would have been proud of you today.”

  He turned to see Duke Cato Eikard leaning against the archway to the veranda. He seemed like he had been watching him for a while.

  Falcon turned back to the city, “How would you know that?”

  Eikard came over and leaned on the railing next to him, “I knew him better than most. I saw your run-in with Count Grey,” said Eikard.

  “I’m sure it’s the talk of the night,” said Falcon.

  Eikard shifted to watch Falcon, “Is that why you did it?”

  Falcon shrugged, “No.”

  “Why stand up for him then? If Dominick’s boy was too drunk to hold his tongue he needed the lesson,” said Eikard.

  “That doesn’t make it right. If I burnt your house down by accident, would you rather burn mine down as punishment or spend the night next to my fire?” asked Falcon.

  “I see your point, but what’ll stop you from having another accident? Should I let you burn half the town before you learn?” asked Eikard.

  “Mistakes tend to teach more than a beating,” said Falcon.

  “The beating isn’t to teach, it’s to be a reminder and a deterrent,” said Eikard.

  Falcon closed his eyes and hung his head, “If you say so, I’m tired of arguing.”

  “Not arguing, just talking. In truth I agree with you, but sadly some men need the beating. When you rule long enough, you’ll understand,” said Eikard.

  “What do you want?” asked Falcon.

  “Just to meet you, see how deep Dominick’s dug his claws. And to give you a gift, that is if you’re strong enough to take it,” said Eikard.

  “That doesn’t sound like much of a gift,” said Falcon.

  “It might not be,” said Eikard.

  “Okay, where is it?” asked Falcon.

  “Oh, its very far, but I’m hoping you still know the way. I offer you Fort Reed,” said Eikard.

  “Nice joke. I’ve had enough banter, and it’s getting late,” said Falcon.

  Eikard looked Falcon straight on, “It’s no joke son.”

  Eikard started walking inside but stopped, “You think on it. When you’re ready, find me in Keld. If you don’t know where that is, ask Lockland.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Falcon.

  Eikard waved a hand but did not reply further. Falcon was too tired to pursue the duke any further, but his words stuck in Falcon’s head. He had thought of taking his people back to Fort Reed for most of his life. Then again, he had a life in Dominion. There were certainly problems here, but so there was everywhere. He had friends and people who loved him.

  When Falcon stepped into his room Floriana jumped into his arms hugging him tightly. “You’re alright! I’ve been so worried,” screeched Floriana.

  “Yeah I’m fine, not even a scratch,” said Falcon.

  “Wait, what are you talking about?” asked Floriana stepping back to look at Falcon. She saw little bits of blood on his shirt. “What is that?”

  “It’s nothing, what were you talking about?” said Falcon.

  Floriana stared at Falcon hesitantly. “Lord Werval was murdered.”

  Chapter 16

  Arrangements

  By morning more information leaked its way through the castle. Dominick had the tenth legion lockdown the entire city, but rumors still spread. After escorting his wife home Werval was attacked by an unknown assailant. Two of his guards were killed along with at least ten of the city guards. The trail of bodies led out of the city but no Werval’s body was never found.

  The moment the bodies were found Dominick had the ninth legion lockdown the castle, forcing the party’s guests to stay overnight. Once the city was secure, he brought in one of his generals to take over the investigation. Until the general finished investigating, everyone was locked in his or her rooms or on constant guard in the central courtyard.

  Falcon lay on his bed staring at the ceiling when Rocious opened the door and poked his head inside.

  “Come on,” said Rocious.

  Falcon looked up, “What?”

  “We’ve got a task,” said Rocious.

  Falcon leapt out of bed and snatched his cloak. “What, where are we going?” he asked.

  Rocious held the door. “Courtyard. Get more magic now,” he said and started jogging down the hall. Falcon closed his eyes and jogged after Rocious calling magic. When he felt it start fighting him he opened his eyes.

  Falcon rushed forward catching Rocious, “What’s going on?” he asked.

  They turned the corner and Falcon hopped just in time to avoid tripping over an unconscious body. Falcon opened his mouth then shut it.

  “I don’t know exactly. Dom needs us to be seen,” said Rocious.

  “Do I want to know about the body?” asked Falcon.

  “One of Greko’s men,” answered Rocious.

  Falcon closed his eyes for a moment claiming his magic, “Is there a problem with General Greko?” he asked.

  Rocious let out a breath, “No.”

  “Then why are we going against his orders?” asked Falcon.

  Rocious started to smile, “We’re going to piss in his breakfast.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Do I need a reason?” asked Rocious.

  Falcon glanced at Rocious with raised eyebrows.

  Rocious snorted, “Would you accept, because I want to?” he asked.

  Falcon glanced at Rocious again.

  Rocious let out a slow breath, “Dominick asked me to keep hi
m in check. Once he’s gone we can get to work finding Werval.”

  “So we’re going to do what exactly?” asked Falcon.

  Rocious’s lips peeled back into a wolfish grin, “Teach,” he said.

  Falcon and Rocious almost made it across the main courtyard without a single word of protest. But General Greko caught sight of them and signaled his men to intercept them. He was a rugged middle-aged man with a closely trimmed beard that matched his short, jet-black hair. Greko’s only distinguishing feature was his piercing blue eyes, rare outside of Reed.

  “Return to your rooms, I have not completed my investigation,” boomed Greko easily making his deep voice carry.

  Rocious patted the air next to him, Falcon grunted. “That you, Greko? By all means continue investigating,” said Rocious in a magically enhanced voice.

  The crowd of nobles and the group of recruits perked up to watch.

  “You are interfering with the investigation, return at once,” boomed Greko again.

  Rocious flicked his hand. Falcon broke off to join Decimus, “My student has duties here. I will be overseeing as I do every day,” said Rocious in his normal voice.

  Greko stopped in front of Rocious, blocking him.

  “What are you playing at Lockland?” he asked in a low voice.

  Rocious turned his head and touched his ear.

  “What are you doing, Master Lockland?” asked Greko.

  “It’s Praetorian Lockland. Or as your soldiers—”

  “I know what they call you. What is it you want?” asked Greko.

  Rocious leaned in, “Nothing General, my student is simply here to train. I will sit quietly, then at noon I will spar with him. That is all,” said Rocious.

  Greko stood up straighter, “Fine, don’t make a scene,” he said.

  “You know me,” said Rocious putting his hand over his heart.

  Greko squinted, “Yeah,” he said turning to return to his field desk.

  Rocious joined Falcon and Chaplin came over, “What do you need?”

  Rocious leaned against one of the war carts and flipped his hand at Chaplin, “Do whatever you do,” he said.

  Chaplin looked at Falcon, then at Decimus and back to Rocious, “What’s that mean?”

  Decimus shrugged and walked over to this year’s group of recruits hoping to join Dominick’s Military.

  “Line Up! Stand straight!” He waited for them to stop moving, then barked, “We’re going for a little run. Keep up, you stay. Fall behind, go home.”

  Decimus turned and started jogging, Falcon ran by his side and Chaplin took the rear.

  It was a slower pace than they normally ran so Decimus and Falcon easily carried on a conversation the entire time. Chaplin goaded the group, searching for the ones that were in over their head. They normally circled the courtyard one hundred times but for the first week, they only had them run fifty times. On the last lap Chaplin joined Decimus and Falcon, giving anyone who had had enough the ability to leave without pressure.

  When they stopped Falcon turned to count how many made it, and to see if any were ready to puke. There were more than normal but his eyes stopped on one individual. “Thomas?” he asked.

  His old friend waved, “Hey Falcon, long time.”

  Falcon worked his way through the group, “Too long. You’re joining the military?”

  Thomas looked down, “Sorta, yeah.”

  Falcon moved to stand in front of him, “Where’ve you been?”

  Thomas looked away, “Eh, traveling a bit.”

  Falcon moved into his line of sight but Thomas looked away so Falcon jumped at him forcing him into a bear hug. “I’ve missed you.”

  Thomas squeaked out a breath, “you too.” Wiggling out of his hug he said, “Fuck dude, you’re gonna crush me.”

  Falcon looked at his hands, “Oh yeah, sorry. Been working in a forge for years.”

  Thomas motioned with his head, “That Decimus?” he asked.

  Falcon tilted his head, “Yeah, you don’t remember him?” asked Falcon.

  “He looks smaller. He still number one?” asked Thomas.

  “Last time you saw him we were ten but yeah he’s still ranked first in the ninth legion, why?” asked Falcon.

  Thomas cracked his neck, “No reason.”

  “Hope your ready to spar, they’ll start calling people soon,” said Falcon.

  “Thanks for the heads up. Looks like they’re waiting for you,” said Thomas rolling his wrists.

  Falcon glanced back, “Yeah, I’m the punching bag,” said Falcon bidding farewell and joining Chaplin again.

  Chaplin whistled drawing attention from most of the courtyard including Greko’s men, “Roughly half of the men who come here earn a uniform. But I promise you, every single person will be given equal chance to prove themselves,” he said.

  Chaplin stepped back and Decimus stepped forward, “Now you’ll spar. If we like what we see, you get a uniform,” said Decimus pointing to one of the hopeful recruits. “You first.”

  Decimus leaned against the cart next to Chaplin. Falcon waited in the open area for the first recruit. He was a rough looking but muscular man, “Just fists?” he asked toward Decimus.

  Falcon motioned to where the man should stand, “Yup, whenever you’re ready.”

  The man glanced at Falcon and turned toward Decimus, “Why you giving me the kid?”

  Falcon stood patiently searching the faces around him. He saw Thomas focused the same way he would watch the weekly challenge matches. Looking farther he saw Count Grey, sitting with his daughters, watching with a wide grin.

  Falcon pointed at another one of the hopeful recruits, “Your turn,” he said. The recruit looked confused, wondering if he was supposed to wait for the first match. “Don’t worry about him, he’s already failed.”

  That got the man’s attention, “What’d you say?” he asked.

  Falcon turned to him, “What’s your name?”

  “Burt” said the man.

  “I said you failed Burt, you’re welcome to stay and watch or you can leave now. Your choice,” said Falcon.

  Burt laughed and turned back to Decimus, “Come on now, do you really want me to fight the kid?”

  Decimus let out a slow breath, “He gave you the options,” he said.

  Burt put his hands up and faced Falcon, “Whatever, I offered an out.”

  Falcon approached Burt steadily, “Sorry Burt, it’s too late for that.”

  Burt took a quick jab, but not quick enough. Falcon dashed in and caught Burt’s wrist in one hand and his neck in the other. Burt tried to overpower him but Falcon redirected his strength by slipping under Burt’s arm and twisting it behind his back. Falcon looped his other arm around Burt’s neck and forced him to the ground. Burt struggled briefly until Falcon stood up leaving him passed out on the ground.

  Falcon motioned for the next recruit to step up, “Whenever you’re ready,” he said.

  Falcon sparred the group of men the rest of the morning, trading off with Chaplin and Decimus every couple matches. Thomas stepped up for the last match.

  “Whenever you’re ready,” said Falcon.

  Thomas put his hand up, “Would you like to take a break first?”

  Falcon smiled and nodded, “No, that’s alright, I’ll be fine.”

  Thomas put his hands up and nodded, “Okay, ready.”

  Falcon stepped closer and Thomas stepped back keeping his distance. Again Falcon moved closer and Thomas moved away. Thomas kept evading for the next minute, but inevitably Falcon was able to corner him against one of the war carts.

  “That’s enough,” said Rocious, it was the first time he spoke all morning.

  Almost everyone turned toward him, including Falcon and Thomas.

  “You may join the others, take some water,” said Rocious hopping down from the cart.

  Falcon nodded, and Thomas walked with him to get some water.

  “Congrats, but you’ll have to fight sooner or later,�
� said Falcon.

  Thomas shrugged, “I only like fighting when I’ll win,” replied Thomas.

  Falcon scooped some water from a barrel next to Rocious and handed it to Thomas, “Can’t always win,” Rocious said as he walked into the open area they were using to spar and waited.

  “What’s he waiting for?” asked Thomas.

  Falcon took a healthy drink, “Me,” answered Falcon.

  “You already fought twenty men, and now you fight him?” asked Thomas.

  Falcon looked over at Thomas, “Yeah, well normally we don’t have so many recruits.”

  “How are you not tired?” asked Thomas, as most of the men were probably wondering.

  Falcon put his cup down and started walking away, “Practice.”

  As he walked up to Rocious, Falcon again scanned the courtyard. Before people watched with a hint of curiosity, now they were completely transfixed. Earlier they watched simply to stage off boredom, but now there was genuine excitement. Falcon shook his head – they had no idea. Falcon connected eyes with Greko for a second then turned his full attention to Rocious.

  “Need a moment?” asked Rocious.

  Falcon let out a breath, “No, I’m good.” The instant he finished speaking Rocious launched himself at Falcon with an explosion. Falcon easily deflected the initial barrage, then they sped up. Rocious moved so fast his movement was almost impossible to track. Instinct was the only way.

  Suddenly they stopped pacing each other in silence. With a snap Falcon dove into a roll avoiding an explosion. They circled a little longer and again Falcon leapt and dodged more explosions, slowly getting closer to Rocious. A few paces away an explosion caught him in the chest. Falcon tumbled into a group of Greko’s men.

  He bounced onto his feet, but Rocious caught him with a second explosion that seared his face and crushed him to the ground. The fight was over. Rocious glanced at Greko’s men, and saw their fear and excitement. He looked back at Falcon and crushed him into the ground again, then again and again, each time he glanced at the crowd.

  As people started turning away from the sound of breaking bones, holding their nose from the smell of burning, he finally stopped. Falcon was barely moving, his body twisted at an odd angle with broken bones, his face a bloodied mess. As gasps came from the nobles, Rocious caught a few of Greko’s men throwing up at the sight. Slowly the gasps of shock turned into an awed silence. Falcon opened his eyes and in front of their eyes his bones straightened, and he knit his body back together.

 

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