Chapter 394

Chapter 394

Live for today.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

That was Joranis new mantra, because Mum Above was a capricious bitch. This wasnt exactly new news, but recent events had reaffirmed the lesson in his mind. Ever since surviving the shit-show that was Sanshu, hed been struck by a horrible affliction which blinded him to the truth and made him act against his nature, turning him from wise pragmatist to foolish optimist in the worst of ways.

His affliction? An insidious disease called hope.

With his fortunes shifting almost overnight, Jorani could hardly be faulted for succumbing to this ordeal, for it truly felt like things were finally going his way. He was Hangman Jorani, a hundred-man commander in Falling Rains retinue, an enviable position for most and an unthinkable honour for someone as lowborn as he. In an effort to live up to the honour, Jorani swallowed his complaints regarding the bossmans nightmarish training regimen and made great strides along the Martial Path, all the while dreaming of his life after soldiering.

Such foolish, preposterous dreams, he even gave up gambling and whoring to save his coin, squirrelling away his coppers and silvers so he could someday purchase a cozy little manor somewhere. The details were never too important, hed be happy in Sanshu, Shen Huo, the Bridge, or even among the Bekkies if theyd take him, but he wanted a home to call his own. Then, hed find himself a wife, someone kind and sweet for him to love and spoil, and together, theyd raise three children or more if he could afford it, probably less if Ral still needed looking after because the big oaf counted for two children by himself. That was all there was to it, no excessive riches or palatial walls, just a happy family enjoying a cozy little life together.

Even his modest dream was asking too much.

As some asshole once said, man proposes and Heaven disposes. The events at the winery opened Joranis eyes to the truth. With Ancestral Beasts toeing the line and pushing the limits of the Treaty, all of Joranis improvements amounted to little better than nothing, still a shrimp soldier in the grand scheme of things. On the battlefield, his life and death were at the mercy of the Mother, and even if he lucked out and survived his next encounter with the Enemy, there were plenty of battles and years of service for Dear Mum in Heaven to correct her mistake. Forget surviving until his term of service was up, Jorani wouldnt put money on him surviving the year, so what point was there in planning for a future which would never come?

In light of this, Jorani did what any reasonable person would do. He drank himself into a stupor, and when he woke up, he drank some more. He wasnt drinking as much as hed like since he still had responsibilities, but he drank as often as he could. Good stuff too, because why not? Lifes too short not to enjoy it while you can, and in the same vein, Jorani dined on the finest dishes and slept with the priciest prostitutes. Well, middling dishes and moderately expensive prostitutes, since he only drew a captains salary and couldnt afford the finest or the priciest, but it was good enough.

Unfortunately, last night hed underestimated the potency of the wine hed ordered and woke up late with a splitting headache. Stepping out of his yurt, the piercing orb of light in the sky told him it was closer to early evening rather than the late morning hed expected. Ral and Chey were sitting nearby, idling the time away in each others company as they so often did, and like always, it incited a burning hot jealousy in Joranis belly. It wasnt just because Ral had someone to love and Jorani didnt, but also because he missed spending time with his big, oafish friend, though hed never admit it out loud.

Her soft smile melting at the sight of him, Cheys close-cropped hair seemed to bristle as she scowled at Jorani. Afternoon, yer excellency. How kind of ye to grace us with yer presence.

Joranis head hurt too much to come up with a witty rejoinder, and even if he could, his mouth was drier than the heart of a haystack. Water, he croaked, nodding as Ral handed him a skin, regretting the decision to move his head.

While Jorani tried to drink without lifting his head, Ral leaned close and whispered, You okay Jor? You slept through morning muster you did, and I couldnt wakes you no matter how hard I tried. I tried real hard too, honest, Jor, but you kept spewing every times I moved you. Mouth full of water, Jorani waved Rals apology aside but the big lug kept going on. I cleaned you ups and asked Chey to help cover for you, but she wasnt happy Jor. Glancing at his lovely partner, Ral leaned even closer and covered his mouth for good measure. I dont think Chey likes you Jor. How come?

Having emptied the waterskin, Jorani almost rolled his eyes before thinking better of it. Whats to cover? Bossman aint paid us no mind in weeks, Mister Rustrams too busy training like a madman, and Bulat and Ravil have their hands full with the Death Corps. Aside from them, aint anyone around who outranks us, so aint no one gonna grief me about missing one muster.

Since you feel that way, Chey said, her smile cold and forced, Then theres no need to cover for you again. I look forward to your lashing, Jorani. Lets go Ral.

Uppity bitch. What annoyed him even more was how Ral left without even looking back. It didnt matter, its not like the giant half-dog was the first friend Jorani lost. Hell, Ral wasnt even the first half-dog friend hed lost. Thered been a time when Jorani and Kabi had been thick as thieves, right up until the bastard turned coat and went to work for the Council. Dogs and loyalty, pei. Cant count on anyone in this world, not your friends, not your family, not your childhood heroes, and not even Mum in Heaven Herself. The only person Jorani could count on was himself.

Smart. Thats what I like about ye, even if yer Martial Skills aint worth shit. Unabashed at having his motive uncovered, GangShu shook his head and sighed. Look, the short version is simple enough. The Treatys been broken and the Emperor called his chit. I cant sit on the sidelines anymore, which means I gotta pick a side and the choice is obvious. I considered heading home to wait the war out, but the problem is, its a lose-lose situation. If the Defiled win, then they gonna make their way over eventually, and if the Imperials win, then they aint gonna be none too pleased with me when this is all said and done with. You with me so far?

Taking a seat because his legs refused to stop shaking, Jorani swallowed hard and nodded. With the Treaty broken, Ancestral Beasts and Imperial Dharma Protectors were free to act as they pleased, and battles between the two were only ever described as a city-destroying calamity. He might as well eat the free meal and spend the rest of his coin on female companionship tonight, because his chances of surviving the year just went from poor to imperceptible.

Oblivious to Joranis inner turmoil, GangShu continued his explanation. Then, I thought of you, holed up nice and safe in the Behkai brats retinue. The Fox bitch who saved yer hide at the winery dont gotta take orders from the Imperials because shes busy watching over her kits, so I figured Id use the same excuse. Even better if ye convince the brat to let Daxian join the retinue too, cuz itll give me double the reason to stick close.

Resigned to eventual death, Jorani took a deep breath and sighed. Using your sons to avoid fighting. How heroic.

I aint afraid of a good fight. For the first time, GangShus smile slipped as he leaned forward and Joranis heart stopped in his chest. I may be a rat, but dont ye dare mistake me fer a coward. This is about taking orders and nothing else.

Silence fell over the room as GangShu settled back into his chair, and Jorani sat frozen in abject terror, his mind gibbering in primal fear of the god-like being across from him. When he finally came to, he was alone in the room once again, though more than a dozen empty dishes sat atop it, evidence of the time hed lost in his fear. Collar soaked in cold sweat, he sat shivering from head to toe and told himself it was because of the cold spring air or being sober for the first time in days.

It was easier to swallow than the truth.

You recovered faster than expected. Startled by the sudden intrusion, Jorani emitted a girlish shriek and regretted the reaction. Standing behind him with arms crossed and a cruel smile plastered across his face, Daxian looked like the man Jorani wanted to be. Though they shared the same rat ears, pointed chin, and high cheekbones, Daxian seemed elegant and dignified in the moonlight while those same features made Jorani look villainous and deceitful. Daxian the Virtuous, they called him, a former Major who might as well have been sculpted from marble, with broad shoulders and a lithe, yet muscular frame. Tall too, which made Jorani hate him all the more, but that wasnt the only reason he hated his older half-brother.

Their ages only differed by a decade, two at most, so why keep Daxian but throw Jorani away?

Order something, Daxian said, nodding at the menu. We figured youd be here till morning so we ate everything, but you were only out for two hours, which is... impressive.

It took two tries and a cup of cold, bitter tea before Jorani could speak. What the fuck was that?

What happens when an ant pisses off a Divinity. Shrugging, Daxian clarified, You took the full force of his Aura with no defences. Maybe next time youll think twice before mouthing off, but somehow, I doubt it. It doesnt matter though, all you need to do is convince Falling Rain its in his best interest to accept this arrangement, and then you can do whatever you please. For now, order, eat, and come find me when youre done. Nodding more out of shock than agreement, Jorani kept quiet as Daxian placed a stack of gold coins on the table and strode out the room. Pausing at the doorway, he half-turned to speak over his shoulder, his eyes cold and unsympathetic. You hate him because he abandoned you and your mother, but take it from someone who knows better. He did you both a favour.

And with that, Daxian closed the door and left Jorani to ponder the days events, which only led to one conclusion.

There werent enough women in the world to calm Joranis nerves, but he sure as hell wasnt gonna let that stop him from trying.

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