The Abject God by Allan Batchelder

Author:Allan Batchelder [Batchelder, Allan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: grimdark fantasy
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 2018-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

SEVEN

Vykers & Co, In the Emperor’s Lands

Once again, Vykers was struck by how much warmer and somehow heavier the air seemed compared to that back home. Always, he could feel it moving across his skin, like a lover’s caress, promising mysterious pleasures and urging him to contentment. But contentment was not Vykers’ way.

He and his band had ridden for two days, encountered no one, and seen little of note. The Reaper was bored. He knew why, of course: everyone from this side of the sea was over on the other side, sacking his homeland. Briefly, he felt envious—the greatest conflict in a lifetime, and he was not involved. Not yet, anyway. Defender or liberator, it was all one to him, so long as he was victorious in the end.

Behind him, Vykers’ heard his men’s whispered conversations in a hodge-podge of different languages. Hjuest could sort it all out, but to Vykers it was flat gibberish. The only person who wasn’t speaking, didn’t ever speak, was Ona, which, from the Reaper’s experience, probably meant she had the most to say. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. She’d chosen to follow him, against his wishes or advice, she could damn well suffer the consequences.

Still…how in Mahnus’ name could she possibly be his granddaughter? Endless hells, his head hurt just thinking about it. He supposed he’d have his answers—and they, their reckoning—sooner or later.

Vykers scanned the horizon. It looked like there was a small forest to the northwest, maybe a good place to make camp or even to summon Aoife, if needs must. He didn’t think she’d come, but he surely enjoyed thinking about it.

A line of trees and shrubs crossing the group’s path indicated the presence of a river. “We’ll follow that,” Vykers announced. “’S gotta lead to a town eventually.”

“And vhy do ve vant a town?” Hjuest inquired. “Isn’t it dangerous to let too many people see us?”

The Reaper looked askance at his Second. “I’m gonna forget you questioning me for now. I want to find a town so I can assess just how bare the Emperor’s left his cupboard. Understand?”

Chastened, Hjuest shrugged. “Ya, ya. I see.”

They rode straight for the trees, where they confirmed the presence of a river.

Vykers leaned his head upriver. “This way.”

It wasn’t long before the group saw little docks here and there and even the occasional rowboat. What they did not see was people.

“So far, it’s looking like dey are all gone,” Hjuest allowed.

The Reaper said nothing.

In time, they came to a small village. The first building—and the one of most interest—was an inn, nestled beneath the boughs of a gigantic tree. Vykers slid from his saddle. “Secure the horses,” he said over his shoulder, not caring who did the task, but confident it would be done.

As he approached the door, Vykers saw that the steps and front door were well-maintained. He reckoned the women were in charge now. He passed under the Inn’s sign without reading it—‘W’-something—gripped the door handle, and pushed inside…

Where he was surprised to see a lone man behind the bar, cleaning bottles with a cloth.

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