Page 134 of Scorched Earth

To steal your glory.The thought rose in his mind, and Marcus shook his head to clear it, because none of this was about glory.

But it is about it going your way,the voice asked.Austornic might ruin your plans if he interferes.

Except that didn’t make sense. Marcus had involved Nic more than anyone other than Felix and Servius. Marcus had told him that the Fifty-First would be given credit for their part.

What if that isn’t enough?

“He’s not stupid enough to mess things up,” Marcus growled at the voice, but it was Gibzen who answered, “Take a look, sir.”

He glanced backward just in time to see Nic rein his horse away from Quintus’s mount, and Marcus snapped his gaze forward again, clenching his teeth against his rising anger.

You were teaching him. You brought him into the fold. And this is how he repays you?

“He might only be being courteous.” A wave of exhaustion rolled over him. “Teriana is a woman, and thirteen or not, he’s got eyes.”

Gibzen responded, but all Marcus heard was the voice.Austornic is jockeying for power, just as you did. He sees you’re exhausted and aims to take advantage.

“He’s not me. He’s better than me.”

Gibzen said something, and Marcus turned his head to look at him, seeing the primus’s eyes were narrowed, the predator in the man smelling Marcus’s weakness.

“Keep an eye on him.”

“Yes, sir. Will do, sir.”

Gibzen backed off his horse. Keeping the vial concealed by his hand, Marcus took a drop. Moments later, the world seemed to sharpen, his thoughts along with it. Just in time for a scout to approach.

The man saluted, his exhausted horse lathered with sweat. “No signs of evacuation, sir. She’s emptied the garrison north at Imresh to man the walls of Emrant and put up the harbor chain.”

Even though Marcus knew that Kaira would have to be mad to concede the city easily, part of him had hoped that they’d arrive to find Emrant empty. Yet as Astara shrieked, once again above him and watching, Marcus said, “If it’s a fight that they want, a fight they shall have.”

46KILLIAN

Killian couldn’t recall the last time he’d reallyslept.For months upon months, he’d spent his nights at least partially alert, always ready to act if attack came. But on the Maarin ship, with Lydia in his arms, Killian finally allowed himself to relax.

They spent their days with Agrippa and Malahi, often with the captain and other members of the crew joining in for games of cards and dice, the food fresh caught from the sea and the wine the best vintages from across all of Reath. And their nights…

Nights were for him and Lydia to explore each other in ways that they’d been so long denied, the noise of the waves mercifully drowning them out, though if the entire ship had heard, he wouldn’t have cared. Lydia was his.His.And though they sailed toward war and worse, it would be at each other’s side, because he wouldn’t allow anything to come between them again.

Not rushing hadn’t been the only piece of Agrippa’s advice he’d taken, for his friend’s admonition of “For the love of all Six of thegods, do not get her pregnant” motivated Lydia, in the company of Malahi, to consult with the Maarin women about preventive measures. They’d both returned with herbs that were brewed into a tea that they were to drink daily.

“Smells like feet and tastes worse,” Killian had told her when he’d tried a sip of the tea. To which Lydia had only shrugged and said, “Be thankful I’m the one who has to drink it.” Then she’d removed her spectacles and given him a dark smile that made him want to drag her back into bed. “And I think it will be well worth it, don’t you?”

He most definitelydid, though as they rounded the peninsula that formed the southernmost point of Mudamora, it was not lost on him that this respite from the world was rapidly coming to an end.

Serlania appeared in the dawn light, and Killian rested his elbows on the rail, watching the city his family all but owned grow in the distance. Agrippa joined him, a cup of some dark bitter drink they apparently drank in the East clasped in his scarred hands.

“Where is Baird? I haven’t seen him all morning.”

Agrippa laughed. “He’s below fretting about his appearance and the state of his clothes. Apparently there is a chance he might cross paths with his estranged wife, and he’s hoping to regain her favor. I understand you know the lucky lady.”

“Bercola.” Killian sighed. “We had a falling out, but in hindsight, I might have been as much in the wrong as she was. I hope she’s in Serlania so that I can make my own amends. Do you know what he did to piss her off?”

“Apparently he was quite the ladies’ man in Eoten Isle,” Agrippa said. “Sowed oats in the wrong field and she washed her hands of him. It’s the reason he abandoned his duties maintaining the doldrums, so it isn’t just her who is angry at him, it’s his entire people. Honestly, new clothes are probably the least of his concerns, but he told me I wasn’t being helpful and kicked me out of his berth.”

“Have Malahi test the waters. Bercola is fond of her, so Malahi might be able to forestall her putting a sword through his stomach. As far as forgiveness goes, that’s Baird’s battle to fight.”

Agrippa shrugged. “Serves him right for stepping out, if you ask me.”