Page 12

“What do you mean?”

“The White Watch is the fastest ship in the fleet. Did someone get away? Someone from Ramel’s court. Are you chasing someone who fled to Ik-Sundal?”

“If I am, Bastard, I would not disclose such a thing to someone with dubious allegiances. The White Watch is gone and there is a cabin for you in the Azuria Ascendant and that will be an end to it unless you wish to refuse my offer of passage and make your own way home. I am under no duty to ensure you return to Attar now that you are not part of my army.”

Damon knows this isn’t precisely true. Atticul would face anger from their father and Emperor Selim if he returned home and announced that he had left the great hero of the campaign to make his own way home from Jur-Mattan. But Damon would rather Atticul did not get the chance to explain the circumstances of Damon’s resignation without him present.

“Damon,” Atticul says, “I don’t see what has upset you so. Perhaps you are still battle-weary. You have a cabin on the Imperial flagship of the General Paramount, a great honour for a great hero. I will even make space for your companion here. Let us travel home as victorious brothers, aboard one ship. And of course, Zai does not punish sins of the body committed by soldiers away from home. With that in mind, we will both have a refreshing voyage before we return to the arms of Zai. Have you met my own concubine from King Ramel’s delightful harem?” He gestures to the tall woman on his arm. “She is rather wonderful.”

Damon nods to her. She offers a hand to Damon and he takes it and kisses her knuckles. Her skin is milk-pale. Her hair is as short as Trysta’s. She reminds him of a priestess. Perhaps that appeals to some men. “Opeth,” she says in a sweet, musical voice. “It is good to meet you Damon, son of Prince Rafus.” Her Artemian is flawless.

“My Lady,” Damon says. “You know Lyr, I assume.”

“I do,” Opeth says, smiling at Lyr. “I know him very well.”

“I plan to keep this one as part of my household,” Atticul says.

Damon looks at Atticul. “The court matchmaker will not be pleased that you have found your own companion.”

“Opeth is my concubine, Damon. I am no more planning to marry her than you will marry yours.”

“I simply meant that Lady Merin will now have to find you a wife who will take a man who already has a favoured concubine.”

“It’s not unheard of, Bastard. You will be aware, I am sure, of the relationship between our own father and your dead mother. My future wife will be delighted that I am comforted as I fight for the glory of Azuria.” He smiles at Opeth. “And I am sure your wife, will be equally delighted that you have found comfort on the battlefield with this exotic creature here.” Atticul pokes Lyr in the belly. A gesture that makes Damon want to hit him.

“Brothers,” comes a cry from behind Damon. He turns to see Endrew racing up the docks, he rocks to a halt when he reaches them, out of breath. “Brothers, I am here to bid you farewell before I lead the Imperial Army to the border with Ik-Sundal.”

Damon looks at Endrew. His own word might mean nothing in the Imperial Army, but Endrew has always been willing to listen to him. He decides to try, “We should not go to Ik-Sundal yet, Endrew. The men who are not staying here in Jur-Mattan need to return to Azuria. We ought to wait and first see what the Sundals do when we install a Warden and they see us here ruling Jur-Mattan.”

“But we must move now,” Endrew says. “We have information. A ship left for Ik-Sundal yesterday, we believe Queen Jareleezi escaped with some of the palace's greatest treasures. Selim is keen that we retrieve them.”

“Endrew, dear brother,” Atticul snaps, “This bastard here resigned his place in the army yesterday. Do not speak to him of such things.”

“What danger do you think you are in from me knowing?” Damon says.

“No, Damon, Atticul is right. I am sorry, brother. I spoke without thinking.”

Damon considers saying more. But reminds himself that this is no longer his war or his responsibility. The only people in this fight he cares about are Trysta — and she can take care of herself — and Endrew — and Trysta can take care of him. He needs to get home. Home and free. He’s been dreaming of this for years. Now it’s here. Why is he concerning himself with such trivia as the timing of the campaign in Ik-Sundal?

His time as a soldier is done.

Atticul’s magnificent ship is the largest vessel in the Imperial fleet. Damon has to admit she is quite beautiful. Her sails are full and pure white. Her deck furniture all smooth glossy wood. She has room enough in her belly for five hundred men.

A young page meets him and Lyr as they board. “Damon Darekul?” the page says. It is strange how his name sounds without ‘General’ ahead of it.

“Yes,” Damon says.

“Please come with me. Prince Atticul has asked me to show you to your cabin.”

The page leads Damon and Lyr below decks and to one of the cabins towards the back of the ship. When they arrive, it’s small. Meanly small. Insultingly small considering Damon was expecting to sail back to Azuria as Captain of his own ship. Certainly not a cabin for a General.

It’s a deliberate insult.

Another insult.

“Are you sure this is my cabin?” Damon says to the page.

“Yes, Sire,” the page nods. “Prince Atticul was very specific. For you and your companion from King Ramel’s harem.”