Phoenix Rising by Alec Peterson & Mandi Cole

Author:Alec Peterson & Mandi Cole [Peterson, Alec & Cole, Mandi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Reunions and Recollection

‘Allies take many forms. Some are expected, some are not. The masterful strategist makes use of all that he has at his disposal but never mistakes the convenience of an ally for reliability. The opportunity that is presented today may be the threat that is presented tomorrow’ – A passage from ‘Victor Vinguardis’ (Way of Victory) translated from Daymorian. Author unknown. Currently banned by the Church of Imperius

The orc was marched into Sul’s tent by several angry looking guards. One of them was nursing a broken nose; the result of an aborted attempt to shackle the creature. Reaper Maul shadowed them closely.

“Oi!” Maul shoved the orc towards the Captain who was settling into his chair regarding their captive thoughtfully, “Bow your head, you’re in the presence of greatness.”

“I bow for no man,” The orc replied icily, “Not anymore.”

Maul scowled and opened his mouth.

“Leave us.”

Sul’s voice was the same even tone that it always was and Maul knew well enough not to disobey, “All right Cap’n, if you’re certain,” Maul turned his attention to other in the room, “Right, clear out you lot! Cap’n’s orders,” He grabbed Ceyrabeth’s arm, “And you luv—“

“She stays.”

Calm. Controlled. And totally implacable. Both Ceyrabeth and Maul turned to regarding the Captain for a moment. Then a slow smile crept over Ceyrabeth’s face; she plucked Maul’s hand off her arm as if it were something loathsome, “You have your orders…Sergeant.”

Maul looked outraged; the expression provided the other woman with a great deal of satisfaction. Then he swallowed back whatever he was about to say, managed a haphazard salute and departed.

The prisoner turned to watch them go then turned back, “They’ve gone.”

“Yes,” Sul said simply rising from his chair.

The orc surged forward, faster than he had any right to be. Ceyrabeth dove for her sword but it was too late. The orc had Sul in his grasp…

…and with a loud whoop he hugged the blind man, laughing.

Ceyrabeth’s mouth sagged open as the orc pounded Sul on the back a few times and then pulled away, “I think our performance was convincing.”

“I concur,” Sul replied with a slight smile, taking his seat. He clicked his tongue a few times and Osen came racing out of the shadows and jumped into his lap, demanding his master’s attention. After a few moments of petting, Osen settled into his lap. “Did you have any trouble getting here, Ulak?”

Ulak shook his head and gritted his teeth, “I tire of ignorant westerners assuming that because I can speak in complete sentences, I must be one of the demon-worshipping orcs of the east.”

“And your journey from the Wilds?”

A shadow crossed over his face as pains still fresh moved across his features, “Well enough. Your man in Raynia made sure I made it to the port. What was his name again?”

“His family name is ‘Decius’; his father is a man of influence.”

“A senator?” Ulak spat.

“And a bitter rival of Retzel Shen, your former master. It was what ultimately convinced him to leave his family in Daymore Kharas.

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