Meta Gods War 3

by B N Miles

  He had the living to worry about now.

  Children ran from the rooms again. The toddler stopped and gave him a toothy smile. Cam smiled back as the toddler’s sister dragged him stumbling down the hall again.

  He turned from the scene and walked back to the eastern wing, listening to voices, laughter, arguments drifting off the rocks around him.

  10

  Cam leaned back against a wooden cart, his fingers tracing the chipped grain, as Theus stalked in front of the ranks of assembled men. Arter stood at the far end of the line, his back straight, his spear and shield hefted up against his chest.

  “This isn’t just some training exercise,” Theus said. “This is the training exercise. This is the only training we’re going to get. When we leave the Mansion, we’re out in enemy territory, and that means we might have to fight for our lives at any point. If any of you aren’t up for it, turn and walk away now. But those that stay, you’re going to be the elite of the elite, the best of the best.”

  Theus stopped in front of Arter and stared into the man’s eyes. Arter’s back straightened and his chin tilted up.

  “Nobody’s turning back,” Arter said.

  “Good,” Theus said. “Are you prepared to take command of this rabble?”

  “I am.” Arter smashed his spear against his shield. “Our lives for the shaman.”

  Cam felt his throat go dry.

  “Say it again,” Theus said, his eyes moving down the ranks. “All of you, say it again.

  “Our lives for the shaman,” the men barked.

  “Good,” Theus said and turned back to Cam. “I think they’re ready.”

  Cam took a moment to gather himself. He’d heard oaths of loyalty over the last day or so from most of the general staff, though some remained stubbornly elusive. But this was the first time he’d heard men pledge their lives to him without hesitation or reservation.

  The responsibility sent a chill down his spine.

  He pushed away from the cart and approached. He clasped his hands behind his back as Theus stepped aside.

  “Do you all understand the purpose of what we’re doing today?” Cam asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Arter said, and the assembled men echoed him.

  They were bears in old leather armor. Some of them looked more like scarecrows. Scraggly beards blew in the slight breeze. Their voices echoed through the enormous entrance cavern.

  “We need eyes on the wolves,” Cam said. “And this is the perfect opportunity to get you all experience. There’s a fight coming, and there won’t be a single one of you that’ll avoid it, not if you stay close to me. I won’t promise you’ll survive, but I will promise that you’ll die for the right reasons, which is better than most can ask for.”

  “Our lives for the shaman,” Arter barked, his eyes burning with passion.

  Cam nodded to him. “Good,” he said and turned his back to the men, his personal guard, the men that he’d trust with his very life.

  He didn’t know half of them. But Arter’s fanaticism convinced him.

  “Fall in,” Theus said. “Let’s move out.”

  Cam marched to the Mansion’s entrance. The plateau spread out before them. Dust blew in through the opening in waves. Boots echoed off hard stone and the wagon began to roll in slow groans.

  “Stop right there!” A voice broke across the space and the lockstep march faltered.

  Cam watched as ranks of armored men spilled from a side door. They wore the bronze plate of the heavy infantry. Cam tried to find Captain Brice in their midst but couldn’t see her distinctive plumed helmet or her long flowing hair.

  He didn’t recognize these men.

  “Stop right there,” the voice said again. There were fifty of them and only twenty in Cam’s ragtag group. Even if their numbers were even, Cam’s men wore old stinking light leathers and wouldn’t have a chance against a heavily armored and better trained force.

  Cam held up a hand and the group slowed. The armored men filled the hall, spread out, and locked shields. They came forward and stopped ten feet away from Cam’s group. He moved through his, Theus on his heels, and stepped into the zone between the two groups.

  “What’s going on here?” Cam asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

  “By order of the Lord of this Mansion, you are not allowed to leave the walls of the mountain.” A man wearing heavy armor stepped forward, his hand gripping the pommel of his sword. His helmet was off and tucked under his off-arm.

  Cam recognized him. The man’s name was Vogen. Dark brown eyes, swept back black hair, puffy cheeks and a square jaw. He looked more like a cave Troll than a Human, and Cam wondered about his ancestry.

  “The Lord of the Mansion doesn’t have that authority,” Cam said. “This is my army, and I’m taking them out.”

  “You do not have any such right,” Vogen said. “The Lord demands—”

  “This is absurd,” Theus said. “You know the Elder council put Cam in charge of the army, don’t you?”

  “My Lord says otherwise.” Vogen gave them a stinking grin. Half his teeth were crooked.

  “Your Lord can say whatever he wants,” Theus said. “Your Lord doesn’t matter.”

  Vogen stepped forward. “You will stand down,” he said. “You will return to your rooms and await further orders.”

  “We won’t do that,” Cam said. “You know that’s not going to happen.”

  “Good.” Vogen sneered at them then pressed his helmet over his blocky skull. “I hoped that would be your answer.”

  Cam felt his pulse quicken as Vogen stepped back into formation with the rest of his heavy infantry. He felt his men fall into their own battle lines.

  But Cam couldn’t let this come to a fight. He barely held onto his legitimacy as it was. If he let this go too far, the very thing Galla tried to avoid would come to pass. The Mansion would break out into a bitter civil war and the wolves would sweep in through the front, killing them all.

  He couldn’t allow those men to attack.

  Cam reached for his power. He wanted to cook them in their armor, turn them all to ash. But that wouldn’t be much better.

  Instead, he swept a hand forward. A line of fire leapt from his outstretched palm and filled the air between the two groups. He held that wall of flame, raised it up, and made it deep enough so that any man who dared step forward would cook in a matter of moments.

  “Theus,” Cam said through clenched teeth.

  “What’s the plan?” Theus asked, stepping back with his arms raised to ward off the heat.

  Cam saw a moment of panic in his friend’s eyes.

  “Take Arter and the guard,” he said. “Go forward with the plan.”

  “But—”

  “Go,” Cam said. “I’ll keep them here. Take Arter, find the wolves, and report back as soon as you can.”

  “Remorn can’t get away with this.”

  Cam nodded once. His eyes were flint. His jaw felt like a willow tree.

  “He won’t,” Cam said. “Now, get moving.”

  Theus turned away from the flames and began to bark orders. Cam saw the men hesitate. Arter stepped forward to argue, but Cam stared back at the men and waved them off. He saw the frustration in their eyes, but Arter seemed to understand.

  He’d make a fine guard Captain one day.

  Theus got the men turned around and marched them to the door. Cam heard yelling from the heavy infantry, but when they tried to split off and head around Cam’s wall of flames, Cam simply made it larger. Sweat dripped down his back. Muscles tensed in his arms. When the heavy infantry shifted, he swayed with them.

  Theus disappeared out the main entrance with Cam’s men.

  When they were far enough, Cam dropped the fire. He took heavy breaths and sucked in blackened air. The stone glowed red where he’d placed the fire, and steam rolled lazy arcs up into the air.

  “You’ll answer for this,” Vogen shouted at him from across the glowing red line.

  Ca
m didn’t answer. He turned from the men and walked toward the far side of the entrance hall, toward a series of tunnels. He saw some heavy infantry men try to come forward, but the residual heat from the fire kept them at bay.

  Several Wardens were gathered in a cluster nearby. He caught looks but couldn’t read them.

  His mind was too twisted by Need to care as he swept back toward his rooms.

  11

  Galla sprawled out on the bed. Her skin glowed with sweat. Her hair spread out like a fan. The blankets and pillows were tossed on the floor in a tangle.

  “We have to do something,” Cam said.

  “I know.” Galla stretched her long legs. “I didn’t expect him to try something like that so soon.”

  “But you expected it eventually?”

  She nodded. “I hoped it would be too late.”

  “How many Generals are on my side?”

  “Most of them,” she said. “Over half. But there are still divisions within the military.”

  “We can’t spend all our time killing each other,” Cam said. “You were right about that. Maybe we can show them that the wolves are the bigger threat.”

  “If we wait for a common enemy to unite everyone, it’ll be too late,” Galla said.

  “Then what do you propose?”

  She reached toward him and ran her fingernails down his back. It felt good and seemed to catch an itch he didn’t know he felt.

  “We have to imprison my father.”

  Cam looked back at her. Her bare breasts shook with each deep breath. Her pink nipples were stiff. Her full lips were parted.

  “You’re talking about a coup,” he said. “A real, full on coup.”

  “That’s right.” She dropped her fingers from him. “I’ve been trying to avoid it. I don’t want to see my father stripped of everything he holds dear.”

  “But now he’s actively working against you.”

  “I had hoped he’d see reason.” She rolled onto her back. Her breasts spilled to either side. Her legs crossed and Cam’s eyes were drawn along her hips to the red downy hair between them.

  “We don’t have time to spare,” Cam said. “The last thing I want is to hurt your father any more than we already have.”

  “But I don’t see how you have a choice.”

  Cam stared at the stone floor. Lamp light flickered and danced. In the main room, he heard Miuri humming to herself as she cooked.

  “How will we do it?” he asked.

  Galla let out a breath. “I’ll invite him to talk,” she said. “We’ll take him then.”

  “You’ll betray him,” Cam said.

  “I already have. But at least this way, fewer people will die.”

  He looked at her. She tilted her head and didn’t smile. Her green eyes glimmered.

  “I didn’t know life mattered so much to you.”

  “Don’t bait me into another argument,” she said.

  He tilted his head. “You can’t blame me for still being angry.”

  “You can be angry,” she said. “But if we can’t move on, this isn’t going to work.”

  Cam shifted toward her and put a hand on her thigh. She tilted her head up and he met her lips halfway between them.

  “I know you’re right,” he said. “And I forgive you.”

  “I’ve been punished enough, you know. Felin snores like an animal.” Galla made a face. “And these rooms barely fit my wardrobe.”

  “You could leave some of your clothes back in your old rooms, you know.”

  “And walk back and forth whenever I want to change?”

  “Can’t argue with that logic.” He ran his hand up her smooth skin and lingered on a breast. She smiled at him, sultry and satisfied.

  “I like when you come to me all pissed off,” she said. “What do you call it? The magic thing?”

  “The Need,” Cam said.

  “And sex cures it?”

  “More or less.”

  “Well, I love it.” She stretched again and kissed him before climbing out of bed. She found her dress and began to pull it on.

  Cam sat up to help. Light blue with gray lace and more straps than a set of armor. He pulled, tightened, tied, and twisted until she was put back together.

  “Be careful, Galla,” he said as she began to put her light leather shoes back on. They gleamed from polish.

  “I will,” she said. “I’ll send word through an intermediary.”

  “Where will we meet?”

  “I was thinking the main hall. Plenty of room. He’ll feel safe there.”

  “And if he brings men?”

  “He’ll bring men,” she said. “But what does that matter to you?”

  “I don’t want to hurt them.”

  She looked back at him. “You might have to.”

  Cam met her gaze. “I thought you didn’t want any more dead.”

  She let out a frustrated breath and turned. “I didn’t say you had to kill anyone. Be creative, shaman. I’m sure you can find a way to avoid bloodshed. You did it earlier today.”

  Cam let out a snort and shook his head. He stood and kicked through the blankets to find his tunic and pants.

  “I’ll see what I can do,” he said.

  “Good. And if you use magic, I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

  His eyes found hers. They glowed sharp and bright.

  “I know you will,” he said.

  She laughed, finished getting her shoes on, and stood. Cam watched her bunch her red hair and pile it up on top of her head. She let it fall back down before looking at him. Pink lips pulled back into a smile.

  “Tell the others,” she said. “I want to settle this tonight.”

  “And after?” Cam asked. “If this does work and we manage to take your father into custody?”

  “The others will fall into line,” she said. “No use in fighting over a man with no power.”

  “Some won’t.”

  “They will, and those that don’t will be replaced.”

  Cam watched her walk to the door. She pulled it open and stepped into the main rooms. Firelight danced across her red glowing cheeks. He found his pants, pulled them on, then sat the end of the bed.

  He didn’t know how it came to this.

  But Galla was right.

  Remorn brought this on himself. If he could just step aside and allow Cam to run the army, then he’d be able to maintain his title and position. Instead, he sent loyal soldiers to pick a fight.

  If Cam hadn’t stepped up and stopped them, his entire guard might have been slaughtered there in the main caverns.

  There was no other conclusion, as much as he hated it.

  They couldn’t let her father remain in power.

  They’d come this far, and if he wanted to see this fight through, it was time to take it all the way.

  12

  Cam walked just behind Galla as they made their way through the quiet Mansion halls. Footsteps echoed off rock. It was night, though it was always night in the mountain fortress. Galla’s lamp shifted and swung as her hips swayed. She wore a long conservative dress that covered her ankles and wrists. Cam’s ring glinted on her finger.

  The halls felt heavy with smoke. Families sat outside their rooms eating dinner. Chicken grease covered their lips. Cam wondered how long the meat would last.

  “Do you understand the plan?” Galla asked.

  Cam looked at her face half lit by the lamp light. “I understand it,” he said. “I just don’t love it.”

  “No turning back now,” she said.

  He didn’t argue.

  Galla took him through a series of side halls until they reached the main entrance. The high ceiling echoed with boot steps and amplified voices. Cam smelled burning fat and sweat. Galla’s red hair was piled up on the top of her head and her spine arced gracefully down to her long legs.

  “He’s not here yet,” she said as they walked further into the room. The space was empty except for carts parked up agai
nst the far wall. The makeshift tent village was dismantled four days ago when the people were all given lodgings. Some of their detritus was left behind: an old patchwork doll, a scatter of bones, torn lace from a dress.

  The guards at the front gate were stationed outside. Moonlight spilled in through the enormous stone maw and made Galla’s pale skin almost glow.

  “Are you sure he’s coming?” Cam asked.

  “He said he would.” She held her lamp up higher.

  “We’ll wait,” Cam said.

  Galla turned to him and put a hand on his chest. He reached up and took her fingers, his own palm swallowing them up.

  “I know this is hard for you,” she said. “You didn’t expect politics to be a problem.”

  “I didn’t think I’d have to work against my own people,” Cam said.

  “But that’s the way of power,” she said. “Those that have it don’t want to share with those that don’t.”

  “I’m not interested in power.”

  “You’d better get interested.” She shook her head and her sad green eyes gleamed. “Because no matter what you think, you’re in a power game now.”

  He squeezed her fingers and said nothing. There was nothing to say.

  Galla was right and he couldn’t argue.

  That didn’t make this any easier.

  Cam didn’t come to the Mansion to lead the army or to overthrow the Lord. He came to protect his village. But he couldn’t protect his village if those in charge were unable to do their duty. It drove him mad with anger, with self-pity, with loathing. He hated the systems in place that ruled the world, and he hated himself for coming along and breaking those systems.

  But in the end, none of that mattered. The wolves were coming and he had to stop them.

  Lamplight flickered at the far end of the room. Galla turned away from Cam, dropping her hand from his chest. He stepped toward the light as men spilled in through a side entrance.