by Dan Adams
Castor cleaved through another Kyzantine, tore the body in half before he stepped around a careless thrust and rammed his blade into the woman’s chest up to the hilt. He slid his sword out, knocked another blade out of the way then took the man’s head off his shoulders.
Volans watched as Castor stopped, paused in the midst of battle and searched for another target, his blade poised waiting to strike. The Kyzantines kept their distance and the fight raged around him. Resigned that it was over for him, he stalked closer to Volans and Hydrus, slicing his blade across the back of one man who couldn’t get away fast enough.
Castor’s face was calm, his eyes focused as he neared, a sight that Volans had become accustomed to lately. All emotion had drained from the young man, he had effectively distanced himself from everything he did out here. Castor had become a brutal killer and Volans could see less and less of the young man he remembered from Buckthorne.
Gore dripped off the steel as he stood staring over his shoulder as the Nails finished the last of them and began raiding the wagons. His green eyes seemed almost inhuman before they caught the light that made them sparkle with flecks of orange for just a moment.
‘Get what food you can,’ Hydrus screamed out the orders. ‘Anything useful that you can carry grab, anything you can’t we burn.’
‘Where now?’ Castor asked.
‘We go east. We know the Gorgon Pass is secure and I’m confident that Duncan will hold it with the reinforcements. I want to know about Cerebus Valley and I want to know about the Musea Pass. If any of them have fallen that’s where they all will be heading and we can strike at their supply line.’
‘Do you think anywhere has fallen yet Hydrus?’ Volans queried.
‘I hope not but who knows until we get word and that won’t happen while we are out here in the middle of the bloody Empire cut off from any information. I want to be able to have numbers of the enemy if we get the chance to let anyone know.’
‘What about Pyxis and her hunters?’
Castor snapped his head around at the mention of her name, his words came out like venom. ‘Has the bitch been spotted?’
‘There has been no sign of them since we gave them the slip in the woods, but Pyxis is following. She is a relentless little bitch that won’t let go once she has you in her sights. Pyxis will be following but I plan for us to be always one step ahead.’
Castor wasn’t impressed. ‘Let her come, I’ll finish the job.’
Volans was sure that Castor meant it too. His form with his blade was brilliant and he was better than he was back in the Gorgon Pass when they first crossed blades. He was more determined too and would kill his way through her troops just to get to her.
Castor stood staring off to the west, knowing that the Kyzantine general was out there somewhere searching for him. Her standard would be fluttering in the slight breeze under the sun’s waning heat. Her black hair would be tied back, sweat on her brow, her tanned skin red from the sun.
Pyxis would come, he knew it, just didn’t know when. Castor massaged the palm of his left hand with his right thumb, catching the familiar silhouettes out of the corner of his right eye. Their numbers had grown since his time in the Empire plains, they sat in their saddles watching over him and the other Nails. One sat in front of the others, leaned forward to catch every glimpse, every aspect of the battle. Or perhaps just to be closer to him.
Men yelled in the background to step back as they torched the wagons and Castor turned and watched the flames lick at the wooden sides until they finally took hold and turned each and every one into a burning inferno.
Hydrus ordered them to move out so Castor casually made his way to Virtue and climbed into the saddle. He risked one last look over his shoulder to the shadows overwatching him, before turning his thoughts to what lay ahead. East and more Kyzantines to kill.
Byrn stood on the tower top at dusk as the scene unfolded in front of his eyes. The power struggle had been teetering on the edge of disaster for a while: Cygnus and his Howlers from Gravid’s Drift against Pollux and Buckthorne — a hugely volatile mix.
The Kyzantines were retreating in the distance. The trumpets had sounded and recalled them after another long exhausting day. Pollux dragged himself up the stairs, the scratches on his upper arm still bleeding, a look of determination and sorrow in his eyes. Octans was snapping at his heels, ready to explode. Ara accompanied them, moving off to one side as the two men went off to confront Cygnus.
Cygnus stood in the middle of the tower surrounded by his men, who all wore the tension on their faces, their hands twitching on their bows. Byrn watched as Pollux calmly and confidently stepped forward and met Cygnus’ gaze. Octans stood just off centre, his left hand resting on his sword hilt. The archers didn’t faze him at all.
Byrn risked a brief look in the direction of the mage, probably the most powerful person there and one of the more influential power brokers in this situation. Their eyes locked and a moment of recognition passed between them. In that instant he knew where her alliance lay, that Pollux would have her support and if things went bad up here, that magic of hers would decimate the men of Gravid’s Drift.
‘We need to talk Cygnus.’
‘So we are going to do this now? Right after, under my leadership, we have successfully kept the Kyzantines from taking the walls of Black Claw again?’
‘At the expense of my men.’
‘Your men? You were the only one left after the rest of the Buckthorne leaders died. They couldn’t even save themselves let alone defend the barricade. That doesn’t make you much of a leader — it just means you are alive.’
Pollux almost hit him. Cygnus was goading him to do so but he resisted the temptation. Octans was on the balls of his feet, foaming at the mouth for the opportunity.
‘Soldiers do as they are told. Die if they have to, if it means their life or their country. You are all expendable if I say so.’
Pollux clenched his fists. ‘If you keep sending men to die, there won’t be any left for you to kill tomorrow. Think about it. These are the only men we’ve got until reinforcements come and who bloody knows when that will be.’
‘Don’t be a fucking idiot Cygnus, you cowardly—’
Cygnus’ cheeks went red with anger before he swung his arm around. Pollux managed to step back to avoid the punch, forced his arms to remain at his sides as Cygnus turned and took another shot.
Byrn wasn’t surprised when Octans grabbed hold of Cygnus’ arm and dropped his head into his mouth. Blood sprayed from the broken lip and Cygnus stumbled back, his chest heaving, his breath heavy.
‘Time for a change Cygnus,’ Pollux said confidently. ‘You have two options. First, we share the responsibility. That means we run things by each other, share the worst of it amongst all the men not just mine. Or option two, I assume complete control of Black Claw and you will damn well do as you are told.’
Pollux stared Cygnus down, his green eyes never leaving Cygnus’, even when the archers from Gravid’s Drift moved closer. Byrn touched the hilt of his sword while Octans withdrew his and stared them down. A quick glance over at the mage saw flames wisping along her slender fingers. Things were going to get ugly very quickly depending on Cygnus’ response.
Cygnus broke the gaze, glanced at Octans’ steel, noticed the mage and judged whether the bloodbath would go in his favour if he decided to fight. Byrn thought he was an idiot if he thought they would survive. Ara tipped everything in Pollux’s favour.
‘Fine, we will share it. Don’t think for one minute that you are better than me, peasant general. If you don’t show me the respect my position deserves, the Kyzantines will never have the chance to get you.’
‘Don’t threaten me Cygnus. At Black Claw every man is equal and if you don’t like it, you can shove it up your arse.’
Cygnus opened his mouth to scream but managed to keep his cool.
‘Now for starters,’ Pollux continued. ‘We are going to take the fight to them. Hit th
em when they aren’t expecting it, like right bloody now. They think the fight is over when they retreat for the night, but no longer. We dictate the terms of battle from now on. I’m going to ride out with the remnants of the baron’s Fangs. You make sure that the gate stays open long enough for us to get back in. Understand?’
‘I thought this was going to be a joint leadership — that we ran things by each other?’ Cygnus sneered.
‘We have been doing things your way for long enough. This is my idea, we can judge how well it works and how we can adapt it when I get back.’
The scowl on Cygnus’ face said it all. Pollux turned and left, turning his back on a man that was ready to plunge a dagger into it. He made it to the stairs before Octans sheathed his blade and Ara strode calmly after him. Byrn followed, trying hard to hide the smile on his face, and left Cygnus and his dumbfounded men on the tower top.
Pollux shook Octans’ hand firmly and couldn’t wipe the smile off his face, he could hardly believe it went so well — no one had died.
‘I need you to stay here Octans, just to make sure that the bastard doesn’t close the gates on us.’
‘You need me out there beside you Pollux.’
‘I need you here more,’ Pollux reassured him. ‘Just this time, next time you can come with me.’
The Fangs came from the stables, each dressed in battle armour, leading their mounts by the reins. They mounted up and sat patiently for their general to lead them.
Finally Octans relented and gave way, racing off to order some of the Fists to station themselves around the gate. Pollux smiled at the sight, proud that his friend was beginning to get the feel of leading.
Ara stepped up beside him, her hand touching his briefly.
‘You sure you don’t mind doing this?’ he asked, the thought that he might get her killed on this run weighing heavily on his mind.
‘I told you I can handle myself. I’m much stronger than I let on and I can easily do everything that you have asked.’
Her smile filled him with confidence, that this little scheme of his might actually work and boost the morale of his men. They needed to do something that put them in control of all of this, not just stand on the wall day in, day out, wondering when they would die.
Pollux put one foot in the stirrup of a horse someone had brought from the stables for him and heaved himself into the saddle. He really needed to work on doing that more gracefully. His thoughts momentarily shifted to Castor, how he was so comfortable in the saddle. Pollux wondered if his brother was still alive. He hadn’t heard any information from the Gorgon Pass and he mumbled a quiet prayer to the gods to look over him.
Byrn came over quickly, rubbed his hand through his mount’s mane.
‘That went better than you could have hoped,’ the old master of arms muttered.
‘Yeah, no bloodshed. Best we could have hoped for.’
‘You heard he got a missive from Gravid’s Drift?’
Pollux raised an eyebrow. He didn’t really have time for this.
‘Arryn Dunn died trying to reclaim his second son’s body in the Musea Pass. Cygnus has now lost his father and brother to the Kyzantines.’
‘That means he is the new earl …’ That definitely put an interesting twist on things. He would have to deal with the consequences of this news when he got back. He nodded to Byrn and the man left, downtrodden and wearied.
Looking over his shoulder at Ara, her auburn hair now reaching her shoulders and her icy blue eyes warming when they met his. Pollux flashed her a smile, exposed his dimples, and blushed when she smiled back. What on earth was he doing flirting with her when they were about to go out there?
‘Open the gates,’ Pollux ordered, nudging his horse forward.
The sun had slipped behind the mountains, casting the pass in shadow. Pollux rode out underneath the barricade, Ara trailing close, the Fangs riding behind him. Trotting along, the knights moved into formation with him at the point.
He signalled Ara and an orb of light pulsed in the palm of her hand before she flung it into the air. It reached its pinnacle, exploding as the knights burst into the valley and into the first of the unsuspecting Kyzantines.
Pollux’s blade rose and fell as he killed his first.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
BATTLE BROTHERS BOOK ONE
MURUKANS
Buckthorne
Castor Fallon member of the Nails
Pollux Fallon member of the Fists
Cronos Scythe Baron of Buckthorne
Hydrus Scythe Captain of the Nails, son of Cronos
Byrn Emery Buckthorne Master-of-Arms
Volans Thorr Lieutenant of the Nails
Argol Larson member of the Fists
Octans Werth member of the Fists
Kryst Tipton Captain of the Fists
Tobias Sutton Captain of the Buckthorne Watch
Gerard Morgan member of the Buckthorne Watch
Tove Curran member of the Fists
Lucas Bray member of the Nails
Jacob McCabe member of the Nails
Ron Hudson member of the Nails
Aron Patton member of the Nails
James Cole member of the Nails
Gravid’s Drift
Arryn Dunn Earl of Gravid’s Drift
Cygnus Dunn Captain of the Howlers, son of Arryn
Thol Dunn second son of Arryn
Lacey Dunn daughter of Arryn
Zeke Aspring Captain of the Musea Pass
Brak Aspring officer at the Musea Pass, son of Zeke
Barcus Ruthorford engineer at the Musea Pass
Wez Lund member of infantry
Sarkridge
Wade Hardison King of Murukia
Daymon Hardison Prince of Murukia, Commander of the Murukan Horse
Reza Hardison Prince of Murukia
Walter Dejeski Knight-General
Samuel Rodderick Knight-General
Ryan Braithe Knight-General
Ben Curdish Knight-General
Carham
Hector Danyels Duke of Carham
Magi
Ara Rowsell Seventh Circle mage
Daria Gleason Eighth Circle mage
Mira Sykes Fourth Circle mage
Others
Duncan Avil Commander of the Gorgon Pass
Lynx Kiernan Murukan scout
Doric Ilett soldier at Black Claw Gate
KYZANTINES
Dagenham
Sebastian Jorgh Emperor of Kyzantium
Derrick Jorgh General of Imperial Guard, son of Sebastian
Indus Jorgh General of Imperial Guard, first daughter of Sebastian
Tucana Jorgh General of Imperial Guard, second daughter of Sebastian
Pyxis Jorgh General of the Wraiths, third daughter of Sebastian
Telis Dorado Lord Commander of the Imperial Guard
Robar Ballis General of the Imperial Guard
Thom Soto Assassin
Madeline Vargas Assassin
Tarkinholm
Cunx Rivera Captain of the Wraiths
Calan Delgado Member of the Wraiths
Redisberg
Chase DeVile Lord of Redisberg
Odion Fizdis Captain of the Redisberg First and Fifth
Skyview
Eugene QuandrusExarch of Skyview
SERAPHIM
Avernus Murcutt Leader of Seraphim, mage of Seraphim first cell
Edrazil Nash warrior of Seraphim first cell
Devilin Nash warrior of Seraphim first cell
TYREANS
Granbury
Giles Bryson King of Tyrea
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Adams is a Sydney-based writer. When he’s not penning kick ass war stories, he’s working on his guns — the arm variety, rather than the weapons featured so prominently in his books. He loves slushies and always finds himself climbing too many stairs on Wednesdays. Follow him on Twitter at @DanAdamsWriter
COPYRIGHT
VoyagerImpulse
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
First published in Australia in 2015
This edition published in 2015
by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited
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harpercollins.com.au
Copyright © Dan Adams 2015
The right of Dan Adams to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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