Chapter 275

Chapter 275

The stench of blood and guts fills the store as I ignore the fearful stares of the slaves and wait for the guards to arrive. Killing two people and inciting a small panic in the streets is probably a big deal, and although Baledagh acted in self-defence, all we have is our word to go by, which is less than reassuring. I dont doubt he was attacked first, but short of giving an Oath, I have no proof as no one will take the word of a slave at face value, especially ones whove been at the mercy of a possible murderer.

I dont know how murders are handled here in the Empire, but I assume it goes to the Disciplinary Corps, the Emperors judges, jurors, and executioners. I suppose Oaths are a convenient method of interrogation but I loathe making them. Each one is like a metaphysical burden weighing on me, like a phantom crick in my neck I can never be rid of. I admire Dastan for keeping his composure with the Oaths hanging over his head. After cleansing him of the Spectres, hes never shown a hint of anger or resentment. While I do what I can to ensure he and his retinue have plenty of freedom, they still wear a metaphorical collar around their necks attached to the leash in my hand which cannot be pleasant.

Hoping to find proof to absolve me of guilt, I crouch to study my would-be kidnappers/assassins without disturbing the crime scene. Glancing at the mangled features of the first corpse, I mentally quip, I guess you could say our enemy... has lost face. Moving to study the decapitated corpse, I add, Must have made him angry enough... to lose his head.

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Instead of eliciting an amused chuckle, Baledaghs disapproval floods through my mind. You shouldnt mock the dead, Brother. They were our enemies, but still deserving of respect. The faceless one threw his life away to buy time for his ally and both died valiantly and without regrets. Inexperienced in deception, they showed great courage and determination, far different from the usual crazed Defiled we fight.

Sheepishly shrinking away at the reprimand, I reply, Sorry. Humour is my defence mechanism, it keeps me from panicking about how someone wants us dead or captured, presumably to make us wish we were dead. I was sorta hoping we were done with this stuff.

Mentally shrugging, Baledagh waves away my concerns. Whoever it is, they failed. If they send four assassins, then we shall strike down four. Send ten, kill ten. We will endure.

Well, not to disagree but Id like to know who sent these particular assassins and stop them from sending more.

Good idea Brother, we shall have our retribution, in blood and in fire.

Tch. Always with the blood and fire. Honestly, it sounds so exhausting. Not that I have any better ideas. If I figure out whos trying to kill us, blood and fire sounds like an appropriate response. Fighting on the battlefield is one thing; I choose to be there, more or less. Assassins in the city are a different matter. Who knows what collateral damage they might cause? What if theyd attacked in the tea-house, with Lin, Tali, and Tate right beside me?

Oh no... Baledagh said the assassins met him at the tea-house. If they have accomplices, then they might try to use Lin and the twins as leverage!

Dashing through the door to go rescue my loved ones, I immediately rebound off what feels like a wall of steel and stagger back, collapsing to the floor.

Wow. My enemies work fast. How did they wall me in so quietly? And how are they making the ceiling spin?

Husolts one-eyed visage appears, circling around with a downright villainous grin pasted on his face. Oh ho... Thinking of making yourself scarce after killing two men? You see this, girl? Weve caught ourselves a criminal trying to escape, got him dead-to-rights. You think the Disciplinary Corpsll reward us?

Somewhere out of sight, Li Songs voice sounds in perfect deadpan. Most assuredly, especially considering this criminals high rank. Weve done the Empire a great service.

Ignoring the pain and nausea, I try sitting up to disastrous results. Husolts large hands keep me steady, but the world continues to spin around me, now on more than one axis. You dont understand, I slur, trying to push his hands away while simultaneously clinging on for support. I need to go.

Sorry lad, but evil has its retribution. You must suffer the consequences of your actions, cant have you running around killing strangers in cities now can we? Itd be bad for our image.

Youre turning me in? The words slip out without thinking, sounding like an entitled, indignant young noble looking to escape my crimes. Wait... wait... Pausing to gather my thoughts, I finally get back on track. I didnt commit any crime and Lin needs my help. She might be in danger, I need to-

Then the guards would take you into custody, investigate, and send you to an Arbiter of the Peace along with their report, where you'll await punishment. Shrugging, BoShui continues, Youre a man of power. Those guards have no authority or ability to detain you, though you seem to think otherwise. Switching to a Sending, he asks, Those men did try to kill you, right? If not, then we can still handle it, but-

Yes, they tried to kill me, but this isnt right. Too exasperated to concentrate on Sending, I answer out loud, drawing many eyes as Im escorted through the streets covered in blood. Being a Warrant Officer shouldnt excuse my actions. I killed two men inside a city, there should be more to it than, oh okay, carry on. I think this upsets me even more than the assassination attempt. Is there no rule of law? No justice for the weak or downtrodden? How do things keep from devolving into anarchy? This... it isn't right.

Youre right, Husolt utters, his gruff voice carrying over the marching boots and clanging weapons. Theres no justice in the world. Personal strength is the only thing you can count on, a lesson I paid dearly to learn. Theres a grim set to his voice and I turn to see him scratching his wounded eye, lost in memories of the past. After a moment, he comes out of it and pats his abs of steel with gusto. Work hard lad. Youve a long ways to go before you make the grade. Crashing into me belly damn near gave you a concussion, so think about whatll happen when Im actually trying to hurt you.

Knowing he wont answer if I ask about his eye, Im distracted by something else he said. ... dont you mean if, not when?

With a devilish grin, Husolt ignores the question and turns his attention to Li Song, making one-sided conversation as they stroll along without a care in the world, leaving me to stew in my dread and anxiety.

Merciful Mother, please tell me the People dont have messed up wedding traditions like defeat the father to claim the daughter. Might as well call it beat the groom until he shits blood. Forget Husolt, I dont think I could even beat Taduk. Although Ive never seen him hurt or kill anything with his own hands, not even the rabbits he so vocally detests, hes a dastardly, devious sort not above sending someone else to do his dirty work.

And here I thought surviving Milas affection would be difficult enough. I need to get much, much, much stronger in the next year or two.

After escorting me to a commandeered bath house to clean up and then back home where Lin and the twins are waiting with all my pets, BoShui leaves with his retinue after promising to uncover who my mysterious assailants were working for. Wrapping an arm around Lin while we watch Tate and Tali play in the snow, I ponder the implications of todays attack. Baledagh said the dead men had training as soldiers and the most militaristic enemy I have is the Society. I doubt its the Situ Clan given my... not friendly, but peaceful relationship with their young patriarch, and its definitely not the Han Clan as BoShui is so devoted and zealous it borders on the uncomfortable. Then again, he directly admitted hed intended to give up his position as Clan Successor until I cleansed him of the Spectres, convinced Ill need his help in our future revolution.

Mother save me from your fanatic devotees. I dont deserve their fealty, Im just trying to stay alive in this crap-sack world Ive stumbled into. Besides, Im pretty sure BoShui's uncle isnt thrilled with his infatuation with me. We havent told 'Uncle' BoHai about the whole Tainted business mostly because BoShui admits his uncle wont take it well. Han BoHai already lost his daughter to one religious extremist and I can see how it looks like Im doing the same with BoShui.

Which means these assassins still could have been sent by the Situ or Han Clan, merely a different faction within them. Or maybe Elder Ming has backers looking to avenge him, or Sang Ryong didnt like something I said out of hand and wants to make me pay, who knows. The Society isnt as united as theyd like people to think, especially when it comes to matters of succession. Zian stands unchallenged among his generation and seized the position of heir apparent through sheer strength and talent, but his mom and uncle are at odds with the current Patriarch which means he has no backing from the ruling faction. While there are older, more accomplished warriors in line for the metaphorical throne, with how long Martial Warriors live for, succession usually skips a generation as grandchildren inheriting titles from grandparents.

Assuming no one dies in a bloody coup or something. Happens more often than Id care to think.

BoShui is a different story. Despite being the son of the current Patriarch and one of the leading talents of his generation, he describes his relationship with his father as estranged. Han BoDing, BoShuis father, is using BoShui as a sacrificial lamb, naming the prodigal son his heir to bait his enemies into exposing themselves and allowing them to act against BoShui while BoDing shelters his true heir. Who that might be is a mystery even to BoShui, which makes what happened to the Shrike or rather BoLao, someone who treated him like family should, all the more tragic.

Ugh. Politics. Look at any other clan, sect, school, or faction in the Empire and youll find an endless stream of stories just like BoShuis or Zians. I dont know how Yuzhen keeps up with everything. Im so glad the People are easy to get along with, lacking any backroom dealings or internal schisms, with everyone getting along in perfect solidarity.

Wait...

Maybe they do have internal politics and Im merely unaware of the conflicts. Is that why no one wants to join my retinue? Am I an outcast? But why? Is it because I admitted to Gerel about being Tainted? If so, is Gerel an outcast with me? Did I make a mess of things for Baatar and Akanai by admitting I was on the brink of becoming Defiled?

...

Bah. Politics are the worst.

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