Fort Covenant_Tales of the Seventh
Page 22
“I met Hollux when I spoke to the prefect,” Aetius said. “An auxiliary and an older man to boot. Why would you want someone like that?”
“I’ve come to know him, sir. I believe he has the makings of a fine officer,” Stiger said. “He’s just never gotten a fair shake.”
“Very well, he is your headache,” Aetius said. “Oh, and take as many of the auxiliaries that are left from Prefect Merritt’s command that you like. You see, I’ve already spoken to the prefect about that. I knew you would want to remain with the Seventh, Stiger. Kindly see that you are at Cora’Tol in two days, will you?”
“I will be there, sir,” Stiger said, with a growing smile that the colonel matched.
With that, the colonel strode off for the gate. Carbo delayed a moment.
“Congratulations.” Carbo offered his hand, which Stiger took. “See you in Cora’Tol, old man. Make sure you bring some of that good tobacco.”
Carbo hurried after the colonel, leaving Stiger alone. He sat down on the stool and took a small puff from the pipe. It didn’t burn as much as it had a while before, but he was careful how much he sucked in. He sat there for a time, reflecting upon the battle and his promotion.
Eli strode from the keep and over to him. The elf sat down on a stool and kicked his feet up on the one the colonel had used. Eli seemed rather pleased with himself.
Stiger offered his pipe to Eli, who shook his head. “That stuff will kill you, you know.”
“Why do you want to stay with me?” Stiger asked, getting right to the point.
“I miss Tiro’s company.”
“Seriously?”
Eli let out a sigh. “It’s fairly obvious.”
The elf fell silent, his unblinking eyes resting heavily upon Stiger.
“Are you planning on telling me?” Stiger leaned forward on his stool, returning the elf’s gaze with a flinty one of his own. “Because it’s not that obvious to me. What game are you playing at?”
“There’s no game,” Eli said. “I am here simply as a volunteer. However, it has come to my attention that interesting things seem to happen around you. I like interesting. It makes life . . . fun.”
“Is that so?” Stiger wasn’t buying it. He leaned back, contemplating the elf, and took another small pull and puff on his pipe.
“If you’d lived all the years that I have,” Eli said with a mischievous grin, “then I think you’d understand why interesting is so important.”
Stiger chuckled. An elven ranger wanted to tag along with him. It was an offer that he would be foolish to decline. Even if he did, he wasn’t sure that the colonel would allow him to do so, especially considering the state of relations with the elven nations.
“Whatever the reason,” Stiger said with a sigh of surrender, “I know Tiro will be happy you’re coming with us. And truth be told, my company’s a little light at the moment.”
Eli seemed pleased with that response. For a while neither said anything, just watched as the shadows of night began to spread across the fort.
“I believe you wanted to know why this place was called Fort Covenant?” Eli asked. “It was here, many long years past, where your empire and my people formed our Covenant, the alliance between our nations and yours.”
Stiger had not known that.
“Elves and men once served alongside each other for a higher purpose,” Eli continued. “That higher purpose has been forgotten by your people. Worse, in recent years, our alliance has known some difficulty.” Eli paused to shoo away a fly. “In a way, I think it fitting that I join your company in this hallowed place, even if I had to spring you from jail just to do it.”
Stiger took another pull on the pipe and this time didn’t notice the burn. They fell into another long silence.
“Well,” Stiger said, looking at the elf after a time, “Tiro thinks we both attract trouble, so I’m sure things are going to be interesting.”
The End
Stiger and Eli’s adventures will continue . . .
Additional Note from the Author
I hope you enjoyed Fort Covenant: Tales of the Seventh Part Two and continue to read my books. Stiger and Eli’s adventures will continue. On that, I promise!
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Thank you for reading and your patronage,
Marc Alan Edelheit
Coming Soon
Stiger and Eli’s Adventures Continue in:
Chronicles of an Imperial Legionary Officer
Book 4
The Tiger’s Time
Also Coming Soon
Tales of the Seventh
Part Three
Eli
(A Prequel Novel)
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