Chasing Down Glory: The Outrider Legion: Book Two

by Christopher Pepper

  “Wonderful,” Kinnese said dryly. “I'll blame it on all the head trauma, but there are times I don't even remember why I'm helping you.”

  Helena chuckled knowingly as she led him to his room. As soon as she opened the door to his lavish chambers, his eyes fell upon the bed provided to him. He walked past his master, heedless of her words, closing the door behind himself as he did so. With every step he kicked off a boot, threw off a glove, or pulled off a layer of clothing until he cast himself onto his bed in nothing but his underclothes. The old Legion mindset floated back to him. Any campaign that ended in a comfortable bed was a successful one.

  “Mission accomplished,” he murmured, a small smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  It was time to wake up.

  Johan knew it. Had known it for what seemed like days. But he fought against it. He still felt the lingering warmth of deep slumber refusing to release him. After what felt like an eternity of fear, terror, and exhaustion, the urge to simply stay curled up within his own mind was seductive. And yet...Johan knew that wasn't who he was. He pictured himself shrugging off the shackles of sleep that still enfolded him. They clung to him like stubborn cobwebs, and as he broke free of them, a hint of terror, an echo of Gustav's poisons played itself across Johan's mind. His slothful thoughts vanished in a puff of urgency to awaken, and he clawed himself to the waking world.

  His eyes were blinded before he even opened his eyelids, yet Johan was so intent on awaking he didn't care. Covering his eyes with a hand, Johan could feel the weakness in his body from being asleep for a long time. Just how long had he been out for? And where the hells was he? Blinking back newly formed tears, he waited until his vision corrected itself, and he took stock of his situation.

  He was in a comfortable, soft bed. Which meant he was indoors. Even though his eyes were still dazzled by the soft sunlight coming in from a window, Johan forced himself to see the world around him. There was very little of note on the walls that he could see. The closed door to the room was plain and unremarkable, but there was a dull humming sound coming from the walls, and it sounded like the wind was really whipping outside. As he looked across the room he saw two more beds. The one closest to him was empty, its sheets still rigidly made. The farthest one had an occupant, but it moved strangely. It writhed somewhat, and as Johan squinted through the still-dazzling light of the sun a voice from the bed cried out.

  “Holy hells, he's awake! Go, woman! Go let them know!”

  Alek's voice, Johan realized. There was a rush of movement on his bed, and second person, much smaller than Alek, scrambled out of the bed. It was Edda, who ran as best she could, while limping and hiking her pants up as she pushed through the door.

  As Johan's vision improved, it focused on Alek's large frame all but spilling out of the bed. His friend looked a downright mess. Almost every part of his body that wasn't covered in large cuts and gashes was bruised a sickly green.

  “We weren't sure you'd be waking up anytime soon,” Alek said, slowly sitting up in his bed. “I guess you never regained consciousness after they got us out of Bellkeep.”

  “Wait, who got us out of there? What happened to the city?” Johan demanded, his voice a little more urgent than he intended.

  “Captain Garrey,” Alek said, flinching slightly at Johan's voice. “I guess he and and those golems pulled us out in the confusion. When you killed Gustav, some of his, uh monsters kind of shut off. Others went wild. What was left of the City Watch turned and fled into the city. The Bellkeep guys refused to leave us after that. They are some good gods damned men.” Alek went silent for a handful of seconds, his face suddenly downcast. “Hey, uh, listen. I know you know that I, ah, wasn't totally honest with you. About me. At first I couldn't tell you, you know, but I wasn't-”

  Alek never got to finish, as the door burst open and the rest of the Outriders, Edda and Nerthus included, swarmed around Johan's bed, relief in all of their eyes. All of the Outriders looked like they'd been through hell. Toma had an arm in a sling and his head bandaged. Ryker was covered in cuts. Vegard had fresh dressings clamping his jaw shut, and even Garm had visible bruises and lacerations covering his face. Only the two Umbras had seemingly escaped any serious injury, even though Nerthus was favoring her midsection, and Edda had a halting limp to her movements.

  “Oh thank the gods,” Johan breathed, his head hitting his pillow. “Everyone made it.”

  “Yeah it was a pretty close thing,” Ryker nodded.

  “Yeah, but a sword to the head will stop most things,” Nerthus said, right at Johan's side, giving his hand a squeeze.

  “You saw that, huh?” Johan asked, almost sheepishly.

  “Hells yeah we saw it,” Toma said. “You dropped that piker.”

  “But you never woke up,” Vegard said, his voice muffled by the fresh bandages over his jaw. “You never woke up though, even after we arrived at Flinthold. We thought that, well...”

  “There was a chance that Gustav's poison was killing you from the inside,” a familiar voice boomed from behind Johan's friends. The Outriders parted as a large, burly looking man strode into the room, a big smile on the mans face.

  “Leonid!” Johan exclaimed, despite himself. The most powerful Weaver that the Dominion of Tethis had to offer stood at the foot of his bed.

  “We sent a message back home after we got to Flinthold,” Ryker said. “The Praetorians decided not to take any chances getting us back home.”

  “So that's where we are?” Johan asked, gesturing at the room around them. “Flinthold?”

  “Oh no,” Leonid grinned. “I had to pick you up in style. We're on a Skyship. The Dauntless, Bound for Tethis.”

  Johan's jaw dropped, and everyone chuckled a little.

  “Sorry we gave Alek the window seat,” Toma said. “But he got dragged in here first.”

  “It's...it's fine,” Johan said, his waking mind beginning to race. A Skyship. He had always dreamed of being on one. It somehow figures the first time he was on one it was when he was bedridden. “So all this just for us, huh?”

  Leonid shook his head. “Sadly, an injured unit of Outriders, no matter how heroic, doesn't usually warrant a skyship extraction, not to mention my being dispatched. An injured unit of Outriders with the most notorious criminal on the continent as their prisoner, however, gets the most secure method of extraction possible.”

  “The Underking,” Johan whispered, looking at Garm. The scarred man nodded slightly, and Johan had to smile. So the sifar had kept his word after all, he realized. He should have known, really. Sifar take their oaths deadly serious, even ones that ends with them in the ground. He struggled to rise, but Nerthus and Ryker gently held him down. That turned out to be a good thing, he soon realized. Black spots began to swim in his vision from the effort.

  “No way, chief,” Ryker said. “Leonid, Vegard, and the Dauntless' own medico want you staying put a little while longer. Both of you,” he added, looking at Aleksander.

  “It's true, I'm afraid,” Leonid said. “That you're both awake is a huge sign of progress, and a weight off of us all. However we still want some specialists in Tethis looking you and your men over before we let you get on your bikes and ride, as it were.” He smiled as if he made a profoundly funny joke. But after an awkward silence ensured, he cleared his throat and went on. “You've seen some serious shit recently, and you've been through even worse. We need to make sure nothing is...lingering within you. Plus you all nearly overdosed on vigilate in there. A weeks' worth in a single day.” Leonid shook his head. “It's a wonder your piking kidneys didn't melt out of your asses. The Bellkeep medicos shoved so much detoxifying herbs in you I thought you'd burst. And that was even before the Flinthold medicos saw to you. Before you argue, know that your unit medico agrees, and he gets final say.”

  “So basically we're grounded?” Johan asked, turning to Vegard.

  Vegard nodded.

  “Aw man,” Alek said,
dropping his head to his pillow like a teenager.

  “Which reminds me,” Leonid said, turning his attention to Edda. “I'm pretty sure I said that they weren't supposed to have visitors.”

  “Yeah, well,” Edda stammered, “I have memory problems. I must have forgotten.”

  Nerthus snorted, and Leonid softened a little. “I'm sure. Anyways, let’s give these two some time to rest. I'm sure they have a lot on their minds. Possibly things they may feel the need to share with the rest of you soon,” he said, giving Alek a pointed look. “Come on now,” Leonid said, opening his arms wide and herding the soldiers and spies out like they were little children before closing the door behind him. Alek rolled over in his bead in a huff and, despite himself, Johan did too. The silence in the room lasted only a moment before it was broken by Alek's soft, deep snores. Johan's soon joined them.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  A few days later, and after what seemed like countless tests by medicos, mages, and Weavers, Johan was walking across the Skybridge of Tethis, the long highway that provided the upper class unfettered access to the more regal areas of the city, when he found Aleksander sitting on one edge of the bridge, his large feet dangling out over the city. Alek looked up at his approach and nodded in greeting, a smile on his face as Johan sat down next to him.

  The two of them didn't say anything at first, a comfortable silence draping itself around the two of them in the crisp cool air above the city. Every now and then a knot of soldiers or members of Tethis' nobility passed them by, but no one said anything to them as their Outrider insignias afforded them the right to be there.

  “Before we talk about anything else, I need to say it,” Alek said, breaking the silence. “Those medicos just gave me the most uncomfortable two days of my life I’ve ever had. I've never been poked, prodded, or poisoned like that before in my life. I felt like I wandered into an S&M parlor by accident, not a hospital.”

  Johan snorted in laughter, taking a small flask out of his pocket and took a sip. The liquor was some of the strongest he had ever had, but it had an appealing herbal taste to it that masked its strength. It was a parting gift, of a sort, from the medicos that had been examining him. He took a second sip, savoring its delicious fire before handing it to Alek. Alek raised an eyebrow questioningly before taking the flask.

  “On duty? “Alek asked, mock surprise in his voice.

  “Oh relax,” Johan said, leaning backwards. “I just spoke to Atrarch. You remember him, right? My boss? We're on vacation for another week or so before heading back to Coula. And I got us rooms above the Gladiatrix. I just couldn't bear rooming in the barracks again.”

  “Thanks for that,” Alek said, toasting Johan with his flask before taking a drink. “I don't really fit on those beds. The guys all out and about the city I take it?”

  “Yep,” Johan said. “After the last few days, I think we all earned the right to unwind and decompress in our own way. We've got a lot of vigilate withdrawals to deal with, and comfortable beds and plenty of alcohol should help. I'm planning on seeing Nert for a bit before she's off again. Wanted to see if you wanted to walk with me, maybe go see Edda?”

  Alek took another sip of the flask and handed it back. “Nah, not right now. I was planning on paying Squints a visit. Let the old codger know how things are. But thanks.” The big man went quiet, staring at his feet as they dangled.

  They said there again in silence, but this one was far less comfortable than before.

  “So...” Johan said, at length.

  “So,” Alek said. “Yeah, like I'm sure you may have noticed, I've, ah, not been exactly forthright with you.” Alek paused, but Johan didn't say anything. “Yeah,” Alek went on. “So what I told you before, about being raised by my dad and uncle? Well that part was true. So was the whole bit about my mom ditching me with them. And the part about the Akvan, that was mostly true too.”

  “But,” Johan prompted, sipping his flask before handing it back to Alek.

  “But,” Alek said, taking a long pull, “what I failed to mention was that my dad...well, he wasn't just some random soldier from Tolfy. He was...Sir Aldir.”

  Johan started, as if cold water was splashed in his face. “Sir Aldir!?” he demanded, looking at Alek. “Why...but why didn't you say that sooner?”

  Alek shrugged, his eyes never leaving the city. “I dunno. It's kind of an odd thing to add to introductions, you know? Especially in a bar, right? You'd all probably think I was lying. Besides, I didn't want that getting around. After the Akvan killed Aldir, my dad I mean, he came after me. The whole running to Karoguard thing was true too. However, I didn't mention that I was being pursued by the Akvan and some of his men. I just wanted to stay out of sight, you know? His sight, I mean. The Akvan's”

  “Yeah,” Johan said, “but you can trust us. We're basically family now, man.”

  “I know,” Alek sighed. “I actually thought about telling you early on, but I couldn't.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, a lot of people still think of him as a hero, you know? Which, I guess he was, really. Heroic enough, I suppose. But you? You all but worship my dad,” Alek said, his voice sad. “I didn't want you or the other guys thinking I was trying to take advantage of that.” Alek went silent again, swigging from the flask. “What are the odds? The one group I fall in with has some heroic cult of personality around my dad. Sucks too. He was kind of a...he could be kind of a piker.”

  “What?” Johan asked, his voice breathless.

  “But anyway,” Alek continued, “that is where, I think, all my powers or whatever come from. From what Ilarion told me when I was younger, dad met my mother at the peak of his strength. And though he never outright said it, I think my mom had some kind of magic in her as well. Something was definitely off about her. I'm guessing the strength and the fire and all of that came from them.”

  “Well...damn,” Johan said, absently sipping from his flask. A thousand questions bubbled up in his mind. So many questions that it was hard to pick where to start.

  “Look,” Alek said, taking Johan's flask. “I know you're going to want to just peck me to death with questions. I get it.” he took a long sip, “I'm a little too tired to answer them all right now. But,” he turned and looked Johan in the eyes with an earnest intensity that Johan had rarely seen before. “I will answer them though, I promise.”

  “That's...really all I can ask for,” Johan said.

  Alek nodded, a small smile on his face. The big man got to his feet and stretched, putting his hands on his lower back as he did. “Well gods damn, it feels really good to have gotten that out. Maybe I will join you on that walk.” He extended an arm, and Johan took it, and Alek effortlessly hoisted his commander to his feet.

  “Come on,” Johan said. “Let’s go.”

  For handing over one of the most wanted criminals around, Toma was surprised by the lack of pomp and circumstance when he, Garm, and Leonid arrived at the Judicator's Tower to turn the Underking over. In fact, Toma had a strong feeling of his past echoing when they arrived. It was the exact same place that they had turned over Jurgund Kinnese half a year ago. Toma flexed the fingers in his left hand, feeling the thrum from his custom-made crystals embedded in his armor. Half a year felt more like half a lifetime ago.

  The crimson-robed Judicators silently stood before the gates to their tower as the Outriders approached. Unlike with Kinnese however, Leonid had not had to render their prisoner unconscious. The tall, otherworldly sifar walked, his hands bound, side by side with Garm. Toma looked at Garm as they stood there, and he almost flinched. Toma liked to think that he had gotten to know Garm pretty well. But the quiet anger and barely contained rage that built up within Garm whenever the Underking was near made Toma very uneasy.

  And yet, Garm had obeyed every order from Commander Else regarding the Underking to this point. The scarred, warlike man had stayed his hand despite, Toma knew, every fiber of his being wanting nothing more than to strike down the sifar a
nd brutally hack his spindly body to pieces. Toma wondered just how long it would take for Garm's restraint to reach its limit and he shuddered. Yes, Toma was very thankful they were getting rid of the Underking.

  Leonid had walked forward a few paces to speak with the Judicator's representative, and Toma smiled at the sight. He and Leonid had gotten along pretty well since their first meeting too. Toma had found in the Weaver a mentor of sorts, of a different kind than the Commander. Both men, Toma knew, were good, honest men, both of them-

  “Garm,” the Underking said suddenly, snapping Toma out of his reverie. “It seems that you've replaced me rather...adequately.”

  “Shut it, Yue,” Garm growled.

  Toma felt extreme discomfort listening to the two of them. It was as if he were listening in on the private conversation of two brothers who wanted nothing more than to knife each other in some back alley. He did his best not to turn towards them, instead focusing his eyes on Leonid. Yet he couldn't help but listen.

  “I'm not being facetious,” the Underking continued. “Tell Else that he and his men may rest easy. I see no reason for me to seek any sort of punitive reprisals against them for their actions.”

  Garm was silent for a beat. “I don't believe you.”

  The Underking snorted. “Believe what you want. As you have always done,” he spat. “No, your comrades are perhaps...necessary. You know as well as I that I foster no love for your race. And yet, if not for the actions of cor such as them, regardless of race, this plane would devolve into the very hells themselves.” There was a pause, and Toma was tempted to turn and look. “No, so long as Else does not actively, intentionally become a nuisance, he is no concern of mine.”