"I think there are at least half a dozen high-level players, maybe more, who have already bookmarked the site. They’ll port in to the obelisk that manifested nearby as soon as the trial begins.”
The boy gasped as Val’s powerful hands gripped his arms. Val had to concentrate to ease his bone-cracking grip. “When does the trial start, Jake? Please. I need to know.”
The momentary jolt of terror Val had seen in the boy’s eyes faded to a thoughtful frown. “Sevenday. That’s tomorrow, right?”
“No, Jake,” Angelica sighed. “You’re mixing up the dates again. It’s today. We talked about the importance of timelines in our lessons yesterday, remember?”
Val hissed and turned toward the door.
“Val! Just where are you going? We’re expecting a hyperion call, and it’s vital that you’re here!” demanded an exasperated Christine, Lucius nodding in solemn concert.
“What’s wrong?” Angelica asked, her soft hands squeezing his own. “I can taste your sudden fear. Is danger imminent?”
Val grimaced. “No. No reds approach. But I need to move. Now!”
Jake frowned. “But how will you get there in time? It’s like two days’ journey from here, and the trial starts at noon. And you still have to be accepted for Avarum’s men to let you enter. They’re not allowed to let you die pointlessly if you have no skills. That was also on Readit, since death is now, like, permanent and stuff.” He flashed a sheepish grin. “Another thing I haven’t gotten around to telling mom and dad.”
Val scowled at the gazes pinning him. “It’s not a problem, Jake. I have my bike, and I have a gate close by. What I don’t have is a lot of time!” He caught their gazes. “I trust everyone to handle things in my absence. Carry on as you have, and spend this wisely,” he said, manifesting a good twenty million credits’ worth of Elementium coins, much to the surprise and awe of everyone present.
“Damn, Val, you’re just full of juicy secrets!” Jake gazed longingly at the map. “I’d so love to go with you, buddy, it’s just that...”
Val quirked a bemused brow. “Your class skills are geared toward mecha use, and joining a high-level trial with nothing save a blaster is a good recipe for death?”
“Well, yeah, that,” Jake sheepishly admitted. “And even if Tactical Mastery could boost everyone’s defenses a bit, I’m ridiculously squishy outside of my shell.”
At which point Val heard a strange beeping sound from the massive hyperion screen beside a number of rapidly blinking computer banks, Christine immediately going over and adjusting a number of knobs and dials, turning her head to glare at Val. “Stay, Val. This is important! We might just be able to sue for peace, after all.”
Val blinked. “Sue for peace? What are you talking about?”
Angelica took his hand once more, her gentle gaze meant to soothe. “None of us ever thought we could actually claim the crown, Valor. Even my crazy uncles knew the best they could hope for was to sue for a spot on the High Council, the heart of all influence and power within Jordia, answerable only to the Overlord himself. And dear Christine, who I am grateful to now be able to count as an ally and friend, only took up the banner by your side for survival’s sake, not conquest.”
“We are getting interference again,” Christine said. “Bear with me, children.”
Val smirked. “I’m hardly a child, and I don’t recall these problems before.”
“That’s because you hadn’t yet relegated an entire province to wild magics constantly exciting the electromana fields streaming past,” Lisa Calvar wryly noted. “It’s not too much of a problem elsewhere, but Dominicus Province is directly between Newford and Highblood Province.”
“Don’t worry,” Angelica assured. “Once Christine locks onto the signal, the display will show with absolute crystalline clarity, no different than if our enemies were right before us, as dictated by the inalienable nature of hyperion physics.” Violet eyes gazed imploringly into his own. “We were lucky, beyond lucky in the battles we survived so far. I’m honestly surprised to find I’m still alive, and none of us are fools. The agents Father hired made it pristinely clear that the entire Council is in Kentric’s pocket, and perhaps his reach goes even farther than that. With enough time and resources, Kentric could have entire armadas of battle-mechs on the field, no matter that you and Julia took out over a hundred in a strike that still amazes me. I think that’s the only reason we’re being given a chance to speak with the council directly. I pray you’ll at least consider their words before acting rashly, husband.”
Val frowned. “No one hesitated before at the thought of taking these bastards out.”
“That’s because we all thought we were as good as dead anyway, Valor,” said Sasha Calvar, fixing him with her intent gaze. “Why not spit in the face of the dragon before us, if we’re doomed anyway? It’s easy to charge valiantly forward when only death awaits behind. But if there is even a chance we can secure our safety, our freedom, and perhaps all that we have lost without facing off against impossible odds? We would be fools to not at least consider it.”
Lucius nodded in approval of Sasha’s sentiment, and Val saw the look in her eyes when she smiled his way. It was obvious she was finding reasons to embrace life besides a quest for bitter vengeance.
“It won’t bring your father back,” Val quietly said, knowing the horrific image of Kentric gloating over the decapitated head of their father suffering forever in a pain-vat was seared into their brains every bit as much as it was his own.
“We know!” Lisa sobbed. “But maybe we can get our mothers out of bondage, slaves to that monster’s passions no longer! Maybe we can bargain even for our father’s head to be free of torment, to be allowed the peace of death at last!”
Val hissed, lowering his gaze, unable to deny the desperation in her voice, having experienced firsthand the torment her mothers were enduring even now. How could she not want to rescue the women she loved most in life?
“Very well,” he said, glaring into their relieved smiles. “I’ll listen.”
“Wonderful,” commended Christine, still working intently on the dials. “The beauty of it is, if we sue for neutrality and are permitted to slip free of the game, you will still have full rights to the territories you have claimed. You need merely pay your annual tithe of men and resources and show him proper respect, and the future Overlord will allow us all to live in peace, according to historic precedent.” She frowned thoughtfully. “You have managed to acquire an impressive tract of territory in the South. We shall have to assure that you are charged no outrageous fortune to maintain it. The lands are wild, savage, completely undeveloped, and it is simple fear of onerous tithes from political opponents that have prevented our kind from ever properly developing an entire continent! Perhaps your acquisition will serve as the first step to a far more docile and productive world.”
Val smirked. “I seriously doubt that,” he said, before his guts instinctively clenched as the hyperion screen came alive, displaying the massive glaring countenance of Highlord Craven whose eyes widened when he caught sight of Val.
Insight check made!
Val noted the way the man's fists clenched, the sneer of absolute hate on his features wiped away moments later as Christine filled the air with diplomatic patter Val knew meant nothing.
Val had already seen what he needed to see.
Subtlety modifier in effect: You have successfully accessed your Dimensional Rift, and no one suspects a thing!
Dexterous fingers adroitly manipulated the gold-bronze surface of a cube whose functions he now knew perfectly, subtly placed atop a pile of crystalline data cubes neatly stacked on a shiny chrome table Val now found himself beside.
Val flashed a smile just as cold as the one Craven favored them all with. For if the handful of other council members Val recalled seeing the first time he slipped into that ancient domed council chamber did not give the gambit away, the surprised face of the Justicar that had first opened Val’s eyes to
the Path of Kings certainly did.
And Christine still didn’t get it. Craven wasn’t there to offer parley.
He intended to destroy them.
33
“…and so I’m sure you’ll agree, honored Councilmember, as evidenced by our miraculous string of victories, Valor Hunter has been chosen by the goddess herself! A true Contender walks the King’s Path, and ancient sorcerous powers once thought lost to legend have been resurrected once more, to the eternal woe of all those who have dared to oppose us!”
Christine’s declaration rang through the laboratory and the council chamber on such vivid display as well. Councilmembers seated before a gold-lined hardwood conference table and dressed in attire eerily similar to Renaissance finery exchanged nervous whispers while glaring at Val.
Yet Craven only smirked from the other side of the monitor. “You are beyond pathetic, Christine Highblood." He ignored the cold glare Justicar Kaupias favored him with. “Even with the unfortunate loss of Tiberius’s forces, Highlord Kentric will soon have access to 300 battle-mechs with which he will grind your entire province to dust!” he roared, hot eyes glaring, seething his fury, all but snarling his hate. “You think you’ve won? You think we’ll accept your suing for peace? The only thing I’ll accept is your head in a pain vat, wench!”
Justicar Kaupias’s frown grew. “Have a care, Councilmember Craven. One might almost think you have a stake in this game.”
Craven immediately flashed the Justicar a placating smile that didn’t reach his ice-cold eyes. “It is not fury for the ebb and flow of battle that has pricked my ire, dear Justicar, but a matter of far graver import,” he insisted, snapping his head to meet Val’s gaze. And even knowing that hundreds of miles separated them, Val allowed his mind to sink into the cool gloom just a shadow away, focusing only on the man’s cruel mouth, avoiding all eye contact with his foe.
“Highlord Craven, I fear I don’t understand,” Christine began in careful, measured tones. “I was given to understand that you wished to talk to Valor Hunter in the search for common ground upon which peace could be built. Even with 300 battle-mechs at your disposal, our martial acumen and the ancient powers at our beck and call would make any victory a costly one at best, leaving your favored champion vulnerable before players far more vicious than our own contender. Wouldn’t you agree that it is in everyone’s best interest to sue for peace, and put these hostilities behind us?”
Craven’s eyes all but crackled with fury, the table itself crumpling before the giant figure’s oversized fists. “There is no peace for oathbreakers, Christine Highblood, particularly those who dare the use of forbidden exothermics!” he roared, abruptly standing to his feet, an accusing finger pointed straight at Val. “Your so-called champion dared the use of poisons and exothermics both! The penalty for this breach of the accords is clear, Christine! Death to Valor Hunter by pain vat, and death to all who stand with him!” He flashed a hate-filled smile. “It is not Highlord Kentric that you fools need worry about, but the might and fury of the entire Dominion!”
Christine paled. “That is a contemptuous lie, and you know it!” She laughed bitterly. “Clearly this is a gambit. Treacherous little worm that you are, you fear Valor Hunter too much to allow your chosen puppet to face him! No, you fear him so greatly that you would trump up false charges in the hope that you could fool a duly appointed Justicar into removing from the board that which you dare not face! How pathetic, and how suiting a council of corrupt fools!”
“I will enjoy the sweet symphony of your screams when you are brought before me, Christine Highblood,” Craven snarled.
She paled despite her fury, as the full weight of the massive Highlord’s gaze bore down upon her.
“I shall make sure your future vat is tuned to deliver pain beyond your wildest dreams!" Craven declared. "And how your contemptible arrogance will turn to desperate pleas when your doom is finally before you. And I will be there, Christine, reminding you of this conversation we shared, and the doom you sealed.” Eyes cold as ice glared into her own. “I swear before you here and now, Christine, that will be your fate.”
Christine hissed and lurched back, Angelica’s deft touch preventing the trembling Highlady from stumbling to the ground.
“Craven.” A single word spoken from the scowling Justicar. The giant of a man bowed his head. “The floor is yours, Justicar.”
The man nodded once, then turned to the screen, his brilliant blue eyes holding a surprising intensity, for all that his frame was as diminutive as any bureaucrat's. “Unfortunately, charges have been made, Valor Hunter, and I need to ascertain the truth of them. For all that I know you walk the Path of Kings, and have familiarized myself with the legends surrounding ancient powers Contenders once unleashed upon Jordia many centuries ago, we have witnessed the utter destruction of an entire regiment of soldiers and 107 battle-mechs to an attack so devastating that the kill-zone is still fatal to enter.”
His gaze flashed with deadly promise. “If only to rule out the use of atomics, vile arts far beyond simple exothermics and so utterly forbidden that even knowledge of their existence is grounds for execution. And I can tell by the calmness in your gaze that you understand exactly what I refer to.”
Craven no longer tried to hide his grin as Kaupias continued. “I now know of your Terran origins, and you walk beside nobles, so you need not fear death on that account. But I am sure you can understand why an investigation is absolutely in order. I must assure the Dominion High Council that Jordia’s unique electromana field alone is responsible for the remarkable acts of destruction witnessed everywhere you have risen your banner, Valor Hunter.”
The Justicar shook his head almost sadly. “I am sure I don’t have to explain to you the consequences of earning the ire of the Dominion entire, do I, Contender? It would be best if you made all haste and presented yourself before the Jordian High Council, so that I may conduct a proper inquisition.” He turned to a coldly grinning Lord Craven. “Lord Craven has assured me that you will be permitted safe passage to and from the council chambers. Orders calling for your arrest have been temporarily suspended in anticipation of your voluntary surrender. Fear not,” he said, “I will assure you a trial both fair and just, and upon its conclusion, should your innocence be proven, you shall be permitted to sue for peace or continue your quest for the throne.”
Val gazed at the man in bemused disbelief. His sincere gaze was that of a man who actually believed he could control this situation. That he wasn’t simply a piece on the board being manipulated for the High Councilor’s benefit. All Val had to do was look Craven’s way to know without a shadow of a doubt that should he be so foolish as to concede, his chances of surviving the encounter would be damn close to zero.
Besides, any Highlord who had access to his mind would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was guilty as sin. Explosives? Hell yes. Used them and loved them and would happily do so again. The fact that he could unleash tactical strikes upon any territory already in his possession just served as the perfect cover for attacking provinces not yet in his grasp.
But if he didn’t surrender, Craven had made it damned clear that he would do everything in his power to pit Val against the entire Dominion, and god knew how many dreadnoughts he would have to face then.
Val forced down the lump of dread in his throat, already knowing the only play he could make.
Turning to meet Christine’s haunted gaze, flashing a reassuring smile, covering the subtle caress of a certain bronze cube with a cough as he collected his thoughts and spoke.
“I will accept your terms of surrender.”
Kaupias’s eyes widened, a smile of relief he couldn’t quite hide beneath his formal demeanor even as Craven’s smirk and ice-cold eyes promised Val a lingering death.
“Val!” hissed a desperate Angelica.
Val raised his hand. “In fact, I will attend the council completely unarmed, utterly at your mercy. But I do have conditions.”
; “You will come at the Justicar’s pleasure, maggot! We will accept no conditions!”
Val tilted a bemused eyebrow. “Really. I’m to surrender myself to the mercy of men who have made their contempt for me all too clear, without any reservation or right to ask for concessions in turn? And you truly believe Kaupias is foolish enough to think I’d actually survive your inquisition, when the man you fear beyond all others is suddenly within your power? You’ve already shown your willingness to flaunt the Accords and jeopardize a treaty that has stood the Dominion in good stead for over a millennium, Highlord Craven. So I seriously doubt you’d have any qualms about something so mild as arranging for my death when I am proven innocent, considering the horrific crimes you’re on the verge of committing even now.”
Christine smiled. “As a Contender for the throne, Valor has every right to ignore all Council summons, especially if there is even a trace of doubt as to their objectivity. Especially with blatantly trumped up charges, as these no doubt are.”
Justicar Kaupias frowned. “Normally I would agree, but the charges are so grievous and the evidence of such a nature—”
“—charges brought about by those who clearly have no love for my clan, threatened us with torture and death before your very eyes!” Christine snapped.
Kaupias sighed. “True, Lady Highblood. Nonetheless, I must insist—”
“—that it is beyond outrageous. And if you were to deny him even the right to request concessions and consideration, history would see you as naught but a tool of the very corruption you so despise!”
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