Stiger (Tales of the Seventh Book 1) by Marc Edelheit

Author:Marc Edelheit [Edelheit, Marc]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

“Sir,” Stiger said. “We must pass this right up to the general.”

“You don’t tell me what to do,” Cethegus snapped back, badly slurring his words.

At the captain’s tent, Stiger and Tiro had found Cethegus in a very poor state, deep into the bottle.

“But, sir,” Stiger said, “this is important. We found an unguarded ford across the river. There is no need for a—”

“Silence,” Cethegus yelled, getting to his feet and staggering slightly. “Get out!”

“The general must be informed,” Stiger said firmly, thoroughly outraged at the captain’s response to his discovery. This was critical information that could directly affect the campaign.

“And he will be,” the captain hissed, his face going livid with rage. Cethegus abruptly took a deep breath, and a calculating expression crossed his face. “You and your men are not to speak of this. Leave this matter to me. That is an order.”

“Sir?” Stiger said, outraged.

“Now get out. Your very presence—like curdled milk—turns my stomach.”

Tiro grabbed Stiger’s arm and pulled him away.

“Lieutenant, it has been a long day,” Tiro said quietly. “The captain has stated his intention to report this to the general. You have what you came for.”

Stiger glanced at Tiro, then allowed himself to be led away. At the tent flap, he turned and saw Cethegus pour himself another drink before sitting back down at his camp table. The man did not seem moved to urgency by Stiger’s information, and for a moment Stiger considered taking the matter back up again. Instead, he let the tent flap fall back into place and stepped out into the moonlit darkness.

Stiger was thoroughly disgusted. He shared a momentary glance with Tiro, who, Stiger realized, was just as unhappy. Stiger looked in the direction of the headquarters tent. He knew that Colonel Aetius would listen to him, but if he did that, he would be violating the chain of command and his orders. Cethegus had ordered Stiger to leave the matter with him. Besides, he thought, if he went to headquarters, it would only make things much worse between him and the captain.

“Let it go, son,” Tiro said quietly. “You’ve done all you can.”

Stiger hesitated, then nodded. A male slave carrying a bucket of water walked by them, head bowed, gaze locked firmly on the ground. Stiger’s eyes narrowed as he watched the slave pass out of earshot. Stiger looked back at Tiro. He recalled what General Treim had said about there being a spy.

“See that the men keep their mouths shut as the captain has directed,” Stiger said. “We can’t afford word to reach the enemy.”

“Yes, sir,” Tiro said. “I will.”

Stiger glanced back at the captain’s tent, then turned away for his own tent.

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