The Emperor's Agent by Jo Graham

Author:Jo Graham [Graham, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Fantasy
ISBN: 9781937530471
Google: 7NrsnQEACAAJ
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 2013-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

Hephaistion and Drypetis

Dawn was growing over plowed fields green with grain, an apple orchard beside a farmhouse. We walked down the hill to a little bridge where the road crossed a stream, then led up to the citadel of Montreuil. It was not much of a citadel, some crumbling medieval walls repaired by one of the Louis, looking over this lush valley.

"I'll show you where my room is. I don't have to share, but it's kind of noisy because it's right next to the exercise yard for the stables. You can get some sleep, and I'll find some coffee and report."

"I hate to send you to work like this," I said, thinking that I had not done him such a good turn, keeping him out all night.

"I've done it before," Corbineau said jauntily as we passed through the guardpost for the School of War with a salute. "Some coffee and I'll be fine. As long as I don't run into a senior officer first."

"Major Corbineau, I would like a word!"

"Shit," Corbineau hissed, turning about sharply, drawing himself up to attention, unshaven and smelling of drink and smoke and sweat.

I spun about too. Michel was standing in the nearest doorway looking thunderous. And how not? It was nearly six in the morning, Corbineau creeping in the worse for wear, a pretty civilian with him.

And then his face went entirely blank. I have seen the mortally wounded stand thus, as though only half aware what has happened to them.

"Good morning, sir," Corbineau began, his eyes front. "I was assisting M. van Aylde here, as he is locked out of his lodging and I thought…."

"Elza."

"Michel." His hat was off, but otherwise he was in full field uniform, white breeches and blue coat, gold oak leaves scrolling over cuffs and collar. His eyes were as blue as the lightening sky.

"How have you been?" he asked, his voice sounding almost normal.

"Just fine," I said. "And you?"

His eyes were devouring my face, as though he were memorizing every line, as though he were afraid he had forgotten something. "I've been fine," he said.

"With your permission, I'll be getting ready for the exercise, sir," Corbineau said, looking as though he wished he were anywhere else rather than in a courtyard in Montreuil-sur-Mer with the two of us.

Michel blinked. "Exercise? Oh, Cunaxa. You said M. van Aylde was locked out of his room?"

"Just a misunderstanding with my landlady," I said quickly. "Major Corbineau was kind enough to suggest that I might rest a while in his lodging, and perhaps clean up a bit."

"I see," he said. All the while he did not stop looking at me, as though Corbineau were suddenly invisible. "You are old friends."

"Yes," I said. And of course only friends, as Michel well knew, knowing Corbineau as he did. Of course they never spoke of it, but the anger in his voice in the beginning had been for Corbineau putting him in a position where he could not fail to see that which he did not wish to see.

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