Arcane Mercenaries: Revolution by Mark August

Author:Mark August [August, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Four Fans Publishing LLC
Published: 2023-03-27T16:00:00+00:00

36

CARDINAL

Jannick’s military stroke against the mobs stirred up the church zealots. Voices shouted in every square against the StarTouched, even though Grant and Tegan’s units were the only places where the Touched found a home. Mob rule didn’t care, and the church continued to fan the flames of bigotry.

Grant checked his unit roster every morning to see who left for other opportunities. Torben Anderson and Tegan eagerly recruited Grant’s soldiers and offered lucrative bonuses to his combat veterans. A few stopped by to thank him for their opportunities under Grant’s leadership, but he understood why they had to leave.

The Arcane Mercenaries had little to offer without a contract linked to a sizable bank account. The church and their lackeys in the Treasury Ministry choked the mercenaries dry.

Mercenaries stayed by Hild’s side to guard Sina, and Rienne was a blessing for the remaining soldiers. The StarTouched officers didn’t touch the food or drink in the imperial compound. Rienne interfaced with the staff and monitored Hild’s care.

Grant paced the halls until his feet ached, and he drank far too much coffee. Hild was a powerful StarTouched warrior and recovered from the crippling disease in just a few days.

“I’m sorry, captain,” were her first words as Grant sat on a stool by her bed.

“For what?”

“I failed to protect the heiress.” She stared at the ceiling with her hands folded across her chest. “I failed in the one thing you asked me to do.”

“Stop it. I put you against a threat you couldn’t defeat, and this was one you couldn’t even see. I failed you as a commander.”

“They know, don’t they?” Hild whispered just loud enough for Grant to hear. They were alone in her quarters, but none were safe within the compound if someone could poison the heiress and her bodyguard.

“We think so,” Grant said.

“I’m sorry,” Hild said again.

Grant patted her folded hands and wished he could take the guilt away from his friend. Hild didn’t deserve to carry this burden when she had no defense against Gornick’s poison. He’d feel the same. Sina’s secret would escape, and the church would use it against her.

“I’ll get out of here so you can change,” Grant said as he stood.

“I’ll write my resignation letter as soon as—“

“You can write whatever you want, Hild. I won’t accept it. The Arcane Mercenaries are on the brink of disaster, and the city streets are reminiscent of the early days of the Mage Wars. Your resignation is denied, and I’d like to keep you in the rank of lieutenant.” Grant tried to smile but couldn’t find the energy. “If you’ll have me as your commander.”

Hild swung her legs out from under the covers and surged to her feet. Grant stumbled backward from her display and raised an eyebrow.

She saluted him in her nightgown and slipped behind the changing screen. When Grant heard her armor jingle and the bang of her sword against the wall, he left her to change.

Grant visited Sina daily. She had a fraction of Hild’s power and would need more time to recover from the dangerous dose.

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