Swords of the Imperium (Dark Fantasy Novel) (The Polaris Chronicles Book 2)

by Choi, Bryan

  Reinhard sat at his desk, nursing a pipe. He looked up. “Argeads. Does the name ‘Hecaton Kheiris Mezeta’ mean anything to you?”

  The explosion that followed left Taki’s ears ringing.

  “Where is she?”

  “Have you seen her?”

  “I’ll kill the bitch!”

  “I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’” Reinhard said, and he shook his ashes out.

  Lotte marched up to his desk and slammed her palms on it. “Don’t jape with me. I just helped your people put down a peasant rebellion at the cost of too many godrotting lives. If you’ve seen Mezeta, then tell us where she is right now!”

  “I intend to,” Reinhard said. “Von Halcon says you want revenge on her, and this may be your chance. We can help you do that and in turn, you can help us.”

  “Lotte,” Aslatiel said. “Hear him out. Please.”

  “Thank you,” Reinhard said. “Spies have spotted Mezeta in Astarte. She’s apparently living in the lap of luxury and employs a squad of chevaliers as her bodyguards.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” Lotte said. She crossed her arms. “The primate banned her from the city on pain of death. I was there when it happened.”

  “And that’s what worries me,” Reinhard said. “Pacifying Astarte is vital to the campaign. Unless we either kill its leaders or buy them off, we won’t be safe on the march to southern Ursala. But the spies tell me that Mezeta has offered her services to the primate against us. This cannot be allowed. She’s a greater threat to the padishah than she ever was before.”

  “She’s always a threat,” Lotte said. “But how to take her down…”

  “You mentioned buying the ruler off,” Taki said. “Is that even possible?”

  “Yes,” Reinhard said. “The primate may have sworn fealty to Ursala, but he’s a disloyal subject who wheels and deals with his enemies on a regular basis. He had an arrangement with the Argeads and is open to dealing with us, so long as it benefits him. I want you to sneak in and meet with the man. Find out what he wants for his allegiance and what it’ll take for him to deliver Mezeta into our hands. She may be powerful, but she can’t win against an army. And if needed, Ba’gshnar will deal with her.”

  Aslatiel furrowed his brows. “How will we meet with the primate?”

  “Vympel Gruppe has put in a lot of hard work to arrange an audience. Alfa’s job is to make absolutely sure he comes to an understanding.”

  “We’ll make it happen,” Aslatiel said and bowed.

  “I have faith in your people, von Halcon. The city’s on the brink. See to it that we push it over. You’re dismissed.”

  Taki glanced over at his compatriots. Their excitement over the chance for murder was almost palpable. Hadassah seemed to positively glow. Disturbingly enough, it made her look quite lovely. He shuddered and turned to Aslatiel.

  “Sir Aslatiel, are we to assassinate this primate?”

  Aslatiel shook his head. “Only if all else fails. If that were to happen, then we’d be on a suicide mission.”

  “So what can we offer that Mezeta can’t?”

  “I don’t know, but I have a feeling he’ll demand discreet service. He has enough grad that anything we can offer won’t make a difference. But the primate is still an Ursalan subject and answers to a daughter of the Rex. Whatever he wishes will have to be accomplished beneath her notice.”

  Lotte put an arm on Taki’s shoulder. “I forgot that you haven’t traveled much in your life.”

  “I haven’t, Captain.”

  “Astarte is a beautiful place. But you’ll drown in intrigue there if you’re not careful.”

  “Have you visited there, Captain?”

  “Once, when I was Archangel Yuriel. Mezeta was there, though I didn’t serve her at the time. I wonder if the primate will recognize me.”

  Taki worried at a cuticle. “So we’ll walk in and meet the man, then?”

  “Not if we want to keep Princess Sophie in the dark. If we don’t do it discreetly, we’ll have every royal assassin in the place up our arses.” Lotte looked at Aslatiel. “But knowing your people, there’s a plan in place already.”

  Aslatiel winked. “Aye, the Imperium always has a plan.”

  A woman whom Taki had never seen before reclined in one of the oversized oaken chairs in the study. Aslatiel had ordered everyone to meet there on one of the middle floors of the keep but had kept his reason for doing so a secret. The more Taki saw of the new arrival, though, the less he wished to stay, especially when she winked at him and licked her lips. A deep, crudely healed scar etched into her right cheek turned half her face into a ghastly, fanged rictus. Taki turned his eyes away.

  “Alfa,” Aslatiel said, “this is Brigade General Chang of Vympel. She arranged our meeting with the primate. Her intelligencers will also disguise us for entry to Astarte. Follow her counsel as you would mine own.”

  “If you don’t, you’ll not only die there but also make a foolish-looking corpse,” Chang said. She rose and started to pace. “You are to meet the primate in the Tintoretto. Think of a gaming hall mated with a brothel. We have chosen that place because Princess Sophie does not accompany her consort there. In addition, this is festival season for Astarte, so her agents will be overwhelmed by the number of visitors to the city.”

  “I assume we’re entering in disguises?” Lotte said.

  “Aye,” Chang said. “You’ll be replacing a nobleman and his entourage. They had an unfortunate encounter a fortnight ago. Highway robbery with no survivors. So very, very, sad.”

  Jesus, Taki thought as Chang cackled at the last part.

  “So we need to pick who plays what part.” Chang leaned over, pierced Draco with a stare, and gently traced the line of his jaw with a fingernail. “Yes. This beautiful buffoon will play the part of le Vicomte de Bretagne.”

  Draco tensed, and his cheeks reddened. “The victim de what?”

  Aslatiel cleared his throat. “The Viscount of Brittany, a man of the Ursalan court. That means the rest of us will play servants and bodyguards. General, I suggest that Rana plays the viscountess.”

  “A fine choice, von Halcon. Make it so,” Chang said.

  “Wait a godrotting second,” Hadassah piped in. “Why does Draco get to be the big shot here? I’m not going to bow and scrape to him, let alone serve him cheese on a platter.”

  “I don’t want your cheese, you wanker,” Draco said.

  “That’s fine. You make plenty of your own.”

  “You’re disgusting.”

  “Says the man with a foreskin.”

  “That’s sexual harassment, I’ll have you know. I don’t have to take it.”

  “I enjoy a double standard, sheepfucker.”

  “Captain!”

  “Shush, both of you,” Lotte said. “Von Halcon is right. Emreis has the most stereotypically Ursalan features of any of us. He can easily pass for one of their inbred nobles.”

  Draco looked wounded.

  “I didn’t mean it in a bad way!”

  “Mikkelsen, your people are nonexistent in the Serene Kingdom,” Aslatiel said. “In fact, it’s risky to even take you.”

  Hadassah crossed her arms. “So why does Elsa get the part of lead actress, huh? I call discrimination.”

  “This isn’t playacting for fun,” Aslatiel said. “We’re trying to sneak into a pleasure palace in the middle of a city full of spies and soldiers for an illicit meeting with its leader right under the nose of his consort. I suggested Rana because she looks so Anglian, and Anglia is close to Burgundy. It’s more plausible.”

  “Dassa, you think I want to be dressed in frilly bullshit and paraded around as a boutonniere for a sack of shit?” Elsa said.

  Draco’s lips quivered. “I’m a sack of shit now?”

  “She’s just getting into character,” Lotte said.

  “I’m not calling him ‘Your Grace,’” Hadassah sniffed.

  “You will if you address him,” Aslatiel said. “Ursalan protoc
ol rules the day. Especially for you, Emreis. Knowing how to speak correctly and conduct yourself with flourish is the most important thing to any member of the court. Flub it, and we’ll be outed. Then, we’ll be tortured to death.”

  “They’ll remove your manhood first,” Chang said matter-of-factly. “Speaking of which, Captain Satou, does his work? Have you tried it? And will you lend him to me tonight?”

  Lotte shook her head. “No on all counts, Madam General.”

  “Of course, mine works!” Draco insisted, nearly in tears.

  Taki cleared his throat. “We’re getting off track here! Sir Aslatiel, will we be allowed arms inside?”

  “No,” Aslatiel said. “Only Emreis and his bodyguard would be allowed swords. Ursalan law demands death for commoners and slaves found with weapons.”

  Chang nodded and clapped twice. A press of Imperials entered the room. “Everyone, get changed. My intelligencers will assist you with all of the details. We’ll see how you do in costume.”

  A bell later, Taki nearly collapsed with laughter when he saw Draco in full costume for the first time. The intelligencers had spared no effort to paint a convincing picture of an indolent, pleasure-obsessed courtier. Draco sported a ruffled silk shirt under a velvet doublet, along with tightly drawn silken hose and a wide-brimmed felt hat embellished with a brace of peacock feathers. The caked-on powder and rouge, along with a waxed moustache expertly adhered to his upper lip, completed the picture.

  “Draco, it’s so you!” Hadassah slapped her thighs and doubled over. Instead of finery, she and Karma had been given plain-looking servants’ clothing.

  “Oh, stuff it up your poopers!” Draco said. “I’m not the most ludicrous-looking one here.” He pointed his emerald-headed cane at Elsa, who threatened to topple at any moment under the strain of her hooped ball gown. Her face was flushed red due to a a corset that had been applied without mercy.

  “If I could breathe…I’d kick you,” she said.

  “I think she looks beautiful,” Lotte said.

  “Thank you. You’re quite…handsome yourself.”

  “Aye, thanks…” Lotte’s eyes were downcast. She cut a dashing figure with a sweeping, high-collared velvet greatcoat festooned with brass buttons, braids, and a long pair of tails. Her chest had been bound with linen, and the shape of her waist was hidden with a broad leather satchel belt. Her hair was drawn tightly back and oiled, and she looked every bit the part of a swaggering mercenary contracted to guard the viscount.

  “Captain, you don’t seem too pleased,” Taki said. He tugged at the hem of his page’s doublet. It fit well and would have been stylish if not for the Ursalan standard adorning the breast.

  “Oh, I’m pleased enough,” Lotte said. “It’s just that Rana’s dress is pretty, and I could never really fit into it.”

  Taki tilted his head in confusion. Why would such a fierce warrior wish to dally with frilly silks and cambric? “I think boiled leather and steel go better with you.”

  Lotte shot him an exasperated look.

  “We’ll be wearing these disguises all throughout,” Aslatiel said. “So you need to get comfortable moving in them.”

  “The things I do…for my country,” Elsa huffed. She tried to take a wider step and ended up pitching backward from the imbalanced outfit. She spread her arms in an attempt to direct her fall but ended up in Mikhail’s arms.

  “Make sure you all practice fighting in those clothes,” Chang said. “Or at least know what to tear away before you get into it. Spend the rest of the day in your disguises to get used to them.” She turned to leave. “Don’t fuck up, by the by.”

  “Oy,” Draco said. “Where’s the Prince of Maladies? Shouldn’t she be suffering along with the rest of us?”

  Hadassah stuck her tongue out. “You just want to see her in a cute dress, pervert.”

  “No! It’s just that, you know, maybe I wanted to see another side of the fearsome Prince.” Draco’s ears reddened through the powder.

  “My sister is too recognizable to the Ursalans,” Aslatiel said. “She’ll stay back for this one.”

  “Makes sense,” Draco said. “They titled her.”

  Taki yawned and righted himself. He saw Enilna staring at him while she squatted against a corner. She was attired as a lady-in-waiting, and though her finery lacked the expense of Elsa’s or the striking appearance granted to Lotte, it lent Enilna a certain air of delicacy that Taki found himself appreciating. He met her eyes, and she looked away. He went to her, sick of feeling blamed for everything.

  “What’s your problem?” he snapped. Immediately, he regretted his words.

  She glared at him. “I have no problem. I’ll be off now.”

  “Wait. Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you,” Taki said. “If I did, I’m sorry. But I’m not sorry for turning you down aboard the zeppelin.”

  “You’re impossible to figure out, Natalis. It confuses me, and when I get confused, I get angry. And you’re making me really angry!”

  “We’re about to do something dangerous. We can’t be pissy to each other like this.”

  “Then give me a straightforward answer. Am I not good enough for you? Is there something about me you dislike?”

  “It’s not about you.”

  “Then what is it? Do you have a dysfunction? Do you fancy older women? Do you want to rut with your captain instead?”

  Taki grimaced and shot a glance toward Lotte. When it looked as if she hadn’t heard Enilna, he sighed in relief. “No, and be quieter, damn you.”

  “You don’t even know what you want. No wonder you’re still a virgin.”

  Taki clenched his fists. “You hit me with that whenever you feel stung. Everyone mocks me all the time. It’s not like I want to be ridiculed forever! I wanted to take you, but you were scared out of your godrotting mind.”

  “So?”

  “It’s not supposed to be that way! You shouldn’t have offered yourself if you weren’t ready. And if I’d done it anyway, then I’d be even more pathetic for it.”

  Enilna punched him on the arm. “You’re so annoying! I hate you!”

  Taki shook his head. “The real problem is that you’re still a child. Well, I’m no molester.” He turned to leave.

  Enilna grabbed at his sleeve.

  “What?” he spat.

  “When…when you were all awkward with the padishah, did you mean what you said? About how you think I’m heroic and good?”

  Taki sighed. “Yes, I did. You’re braver than most people have a right to be.”

  “Then I guess I can forgive you a little. Can we stay friends?”

  Taki threw his hands up in frustration. “Of course we can.”

  11

  Lotte breathed in through her nostrils, held her breath, and let it out slowly. She closed her eyes and grasped the hilt of her side sword. “I know where she is.”

  Hadassah grinned and smacked her fist into her palm. “Then let’s start the hunt. Hear ye, Mezeta, I’m going to find you. And then I’m going to eat you.”

  “You say the same thing when you’ve got a finger in your nose,” Draco said.

  She reddened. “I do not!”

  “No cannibalism! And pipe down, you’re arousing suspicion!” Taki focused on holding his studiously bored expression. They had barely gone a dozen steps past the grand portcullis of Astarte, and everyone was already breaking character. Everyone in his squad, anyway. Why can’t they just be good? Meanwhile, the Imperials seemed to blend perfectly into their roles.

  “Even if Hecaton Mezeta were to pass right in front of our noses,” Aslatiel said, “we’re in no position to face her. You know this, Satou. Follow the plan, or we all die. Viscount of Brittany, control your horse.”

  Draco tugged at his reins and prevented the mare from snapping up an apple from a nearby street vendor. “Damnable beast,” he muttered.

  He alone rode while the others walked. They were disguised as a standard, if somewhat small, noble’s entourage.
Aslatiel had beaten it into their heads: the Viscount of Brittany had journeyed to Astarte to dice and enjoy blood sport at the Tintoretto.

  “My apologies, von Halcon,” Lotte said. “Mezeta didn’t just steal from us; she ruined our lives. We were cast out of our home with only the clothes on our backs. We’d have ended up as beggars or highwaymen if you hadn’t taken us.”

  “And if Natalis hadn’t vouched for you,” Aslatiel said. “There’s no love lost between Mezeta and me, either. We will face her again, I’m sure, but on our terms. For now, let’s obtain lodging and a place to rest our horses. Viscount, you remember how to comport yourself, right?”

  “Aye,” Draco said. “I don’t touch grad for any reason. I leave it all to you, and the other servants carry the bags. I’m to hit them with my cane if they tarry. The long and short of it is: I’m to be a giant dick.”

  “Precisely. And if someone of noble blood should insult you at any point?”

  “Challenge him to a duel, to be held in the morning. He picks the seconds.”

  “Don’t forget to throw your glove down.”

  Enilna tugged at Aslatiel’s sleeve. “Can we attend the festival? I’ve always wanted to go to Korbo’s Feast, ever since my mother told me about it.”

  Around them, the city buzzed with preparation for the ancient rite. Paying homage to a harvest god whose worship even the Santctissimus Rex could not stamp out, the festival was one of Astarte’s most popular. Brightly colored banners unfurled from high windowsills, and towering effigies of saints and devils received finishing touches from attentive craftsmen. Eventually, they would all burn for the culmination of the festivities. Enilna eyed a three-meter-tall caricature of the padishah, with comically oversized and sore-ridden genitals, and laughed.

  “No,” Aslatiel said.

  Enilna looked crestfallen but did not protest further.