The Beginning of Wisdom by C. J. Brightley

Author:C. J. Brightley [Brightley, C. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Spring Song Press

Chapter Thirteen

As instructed, Rink waited an hour before calling the main desk. “I need to speak to Lieutenant Colonel Curtis as soon as possible.”

“What’s wrong?” The guard barked.

“I just need to speak with him. It’s important.”

“He’s at home. Is it important enough to wake him up?” Concern faded to boredom.

“It is.”

Rink heard buttons clicking and then the guard gave him the officer’s phone number. “Thanks.” He dialed again. “Sir, this is Lieutenant Jake Rink at the Eastborn front gate.”

“What? Who are you?”

“I’m a guard, sir, at the front gate of Eastborn Imperial Security Facility. I need to speak with you directly, sir, here at the gate. Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley’s direct order, sir.”

Curtis growled something not entirely understandable, his hand muffling the phone. “Blakeley’s orders? He wants me to come in now?”

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

“Be there in fifteen.” Curtis hung up.

Rink paced nervously while he waited, studying the darkness outside the guard post. Tension made him feel vaguely ill, and he hoped the vampire would not return.

Thirteen minutes later, Lieutenant Colonel Curtis jogged out of the darkness, his breath puffing in white clouds before him. He stomped into the guard post.

“You’re Rink? What is it?” He stuck out a hand and the young guard shook it fiercely.

Rink checked the switch again, ensuring their privacy. “Sir, a vampire came to the gate several hours ago and asked for Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley. Blakeley brought Dr. Burke with him, if you know him.”

Curtis nodded.

“The vampire claimed that Colonel Grenidor was with a rival group of vampires and was a traitor to the Empire. He offered their location to us. Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley told Jackson and me to stay quiet while he and Burke figured out what to do.

“They told the vampire they’d think about it. It went away. Blakeley and Burke went back inside for a while and then came back with a message for me to give to you, but told me to wait an hour before I called you.”

Curtis waited, his eyes sharp. “And the message is…”

Rink straightened even more. “Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley knew Colonel Grenidor had left, but didn’t know why. He also knew that the colonel suspected that there were two types of vampires, one that’s bad, and one that’s only dangerous when attacked. He said the Colonel had speculated privately that it might be possible to negotiate with the not-so-dangerous ones. Blakeley thought the Colonel might be trying to contact that group. I can’t imagine how that bad vampire would know about it, but it might mean that the Colonel is in danger. Even more danger, I mean.

“Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley and Dr. Burke went to warn the Colonel and possibly help him. They said to tell you that they think his mission has some chance of success and that the danger to the four of them is justified by the huge potential gain.”

“Four of them?”

“Yes sir, Jackson volunteered to go with Colonel Blakely and Dr. Burke to find Colonel Grenidor. He was on guard with me tonight.”

Curtis frowned. “Why

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