The Xaros Reckoning (The Ember War Saga Book 9) by Richard Fox

Author:Richard Fox [Fox, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Triplane Press
Published: 2016-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

****

Elias gripped his Excalibur blade and slashed the air at chest height. Torni had adjusted the balance point to three inches forward of the guard, just as he’d asked. He looked down the length of the crystal-clear weapon, admiring the filigree wire lattice within. The weapons were specifically designed to disrupt the photonic bodies of the Xaros masters. He’d used an Excalibur to kill the General on Earth; he hoped for a similar opportunity on the Apex.

The clash of metal on metal rang across the flight deck. Suited Ar’ri, holding a mock-up of the Excalibur, sparred with Adamczyk wielding a kopia spear. Vladislav and Ferenz practiced thrusts with Xaros-killing versions of the Hussars’ traditional weapon. The Hussars had refused to go to battle with something so mundane as a sword and insisted Torni make them proper weapons. That Torni had taken the time to accommodate the Polish armor almost made up for the time she saved Malal from Elias’ grasp.

Almost.

“Sir, what’re they doing?” Caas motioned to where Carius and his two Templar companions were each on one knee, facing into a circle. They held their Excalibur blades point-down on the deck, the guard pressed against their helms. The sounds of Latin spoken in unison came from the Templars.

“Tradition. They recite the Psalm before battle, then receive the chaplain’s blessing.”

“We don’t…do that?” she asked.

“Every team is different. They do what they desire. No business of mine or ours. Gott Mit Uns is enough.”

“You have so many ways of worship on this ship. I’m surprised everyone can get along so well. The Dotok were like that, but differing theologies led to…issues on the generation ships. The high listers discouraged religion to keep the peace. I wonder if we lost too much for the sake of harmony. My family held to the tradition of the one creator. Maybe that’s why we were so low list. The creator would give out blessings to those that asked…but I’ve forgotten the words.”

Chaplain Krohe walked onto the deck in his full vestments, carrying a small bronze cup.

“Do you think Krohe would bless my weapon?” she asked. “I don’t think the creator would be too upset if I go through a human ritual. In Dotok religion, it’s the thought that counts.”

“He might not, but he doesn’t know who’s inside this armor, does he?” Elias hit his fist against his chest twice, summoning Ar’ri.

The Templars broke out of their circle and knelt in a line facing the chaplain. The Hussars fell in beside them. Elias and the Iron Hearts finished the line. The ten armor soldiers knelt to one knee, blades and spear tips down, weapons pressed to their helms.

Chaplain Krohe said a prayer then made the sign of the cross. He dipped his fingertips in holy water and flicked drops onto Carius’ weapon.

Carius put both hands on the hilt.

“Non nobis, Domine, non nobis sed monini Tuo da gloriam,” the colonel said.

“Elias…do I have to say that?” Ar’ri asked through a private IR channel.

“Just stay quiet,” Elias said.

The chaplain moved down the line, repeating the blessing until he got to Elias.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.