The Olympian Affair (The Cinder Spires) by Jim Butcher

Author:Jim Butcher [Butcher, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

■ ■ ■ Chapter 30 ■ ■ ■

AFS Belligerent, Skyport, Habble Olympia

Grimm strode through the skyport toward Belligerent. The meeting with Captain Chavez of the Conquistodor had gone smoothly enough and as expected. Valesco had asked for blades, the duel would be held upon the skyport’s dueling platform, and Protocol Mortis would be in effect.

Chavez had genuinely tried to seek remonstration, inquiring if an apology from Valesco would suffice to end the matter, but Grimm’s instructions from Bayard had been clear: the only acceptable redress of his grievance would be taken from Valesco’s body. Chavez, after inquiring after the possibility of Valesco apologizing to the lady and making other restitution in the form of remuneration, seemed to accept Bayard’s position as inevitable.

Footsteps, purposeful and quick, approached from behind Grimm, and he made sure he had a hand on his sword before he turned to look over his shoulder.

Captain Ravenna of Stormmaiden wore her black dragon hide and a long leather coat, and her hair bounced left and right in a braid festooned with small dragon plumes as she walked. She gave him a wide, sunny smile and fell into step beside him. “Captain Grimm.”

“Good morning, Captain,” he said. “I trust you enjoyed yourself at the reception?”

She heaved a theatrical sigh. “I barely got warmed up with a little dancing.” She gave him a direct look. “I was hoping you and I could find some quiet time to try a few steps, but I suppose politics ruin everything.”

“Generally and specifically,” Grimm confirmed. “I hate them.”

“How is Bayard?”

“Furious,” Grimm said. “Heatedly so. I’ve never seen him so angry.”

Ravenna’s smile became a sober, serious look. “You Albions, you’re so reserved. You act as if by simply having enough will, you can control every reaction, every facet of human nature.” She shook her head. “People don’t work that way, Frank.”

“I suppose your recommendation is unbounded licentiousness and revelry?” he murmured.

She flashed him a quick, bright smile. “God in Heaven, a joke? From you? Perhaps there’s hope after all.” She shook her head and said, “You can’t hold yourself stiff as a board all the time. Human beings are animals too. We’re built that way. We respond to animal things, no matter how badly we wish it were otherwise.”

“ ‘Animal things’?” Grimm inquired.

“Mating,” Ravenna said frankly. “Territory. Protecting those under our care.” She shook her head. “This duel with Valesco targets all three. Valesco made it personal, not some matter of airy honor. Once Bayard is under threat of his life, he’ll react like an animal defending his mate, no matter what reason might say.

“I’ve seen Bayard fight,” Ravenna continued. “He’s like some kind of warrior from the old dramas. He comes straight at you and beats you fair and square because he’s better and more disciplined. But this time he isn’t. I’ve seen the Auroran kill two Pikers in duels in Spire Aurora. He’s the single deadliest swordsman I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t send any of my warriorborn up against him in a fair fight—and that includes myself.

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