Meta Gods War 2

by B N Miles

  “He’s probably right,” Key said.

  “But Remorn won’t let him go so easily.” Cam watched the pot for a moment then went back to the pack and pulled out some of Miuri’s Elven spices. He added a pinch of something red and spicy-smelling and stirred.

  “Of course not.” Key sighed and leaned back on one elbow. She picked at a blade of grass and put it in her mouth. She chewed then spit it out onto the ground. “He’s a shaman. It’s a waste of his power.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that,” Cam said. “But I can’t be angry with Sirrin. He’s just like anyone else, and most people don’t want to fight. There’s real fear in the shield wall.”

  “But they fight anyway,” Key said

  “Because they know the alternative is worse.” Cam shook his head and looked up at the sky. The light was golden, and wind shifted through the nearby pines. “I don’t think Sirrin feels that yet. He hasn’t seen death up close, and I think that stuff he smokes makes him not care what everyone else thinks.”

  “So if we all had opium to smoke, we’d never fight,” Key said.

  Cam laughed. “Pretty much.”

  “Great. Light it up then. Let the wolves win.”

  Cam laughed again and nudged Key. He watched breakfast cook and a few minutes after it finished, Felin crawled out from inside the tent, grumbled something incomprehensible, and took the bowl of spicy oatmeal Cam offered.

  The camp broke an hour later in a clatter of arms, carts, and talking men. They traveled hard up the switchbacks and didn’t pause for a midday break. Men ate on their feet and Cam didn’t notice a single complaint from them as they rolled closer and closer to the great Mansion.

  Cam marched with the front of the column. He stuck with Dagan and Theus, while Sirrin walked a few feet back with his guards. Captain Brice was in charge of the rear guard, and Cam felt the odd desire to have her close to his side.

  They turned up the last switchback and Cam saw the great, looming pillars that marked the flat parade grounds before the Mansion’s entrance. He felt his heart leap, and he began to walk just a little bit faster. They’d made it. Cam wanted more than anything to scream with joy and victory, but he kept it under control.

  He was the first one through the pillars and he slowed as he reached the flat plateau. The Mansion loomed in the distance, its intricate entrance carved into the side of the mountain. Huge pillars, peaks, crenellated spires, carved symbols and decorations. It was beautiful, and Cam felt his breath catch in his throat.

  Several figures walked from the entrance. They looked like toys compared to the Mansion’s opening. They strode in a small group toward Cam, and it took him a moment to recognize Galla Remorn and several of the other Elders. Frew was with her, but they were also joined by Elders Maris, Edwin, Krope and Trinen.

  Cam strode ahead with Dagan and Theus behind him. He thought he should wait for Sirrin and let the acting general do the talking, but he knew the man was likely too high on opium at the moment to be of much use. He’d been walking and puffing on that pipe all day long, and his eyes were so red Cam thought they might fall from his skull.

  A smile came across his face at the sight of Galla. Her long, red hair was tied back and hung over one shoulder. She wore a long, lacy blue and white dress with a low-cut neck and blue jewels at her throat and her ears. She seemed to float over the ground, and Cam hadn’t realized that he’d be happy to see her again.

  She smiled back at him as their groups converged in the center of the plateau.

  “Welcome back,” Galla Remorn said. “On behalf of the Lord of the Mansion, I want to thank you for returning home safely, shaman.”

  Cam inclined his head. “It’s my pleasure,” he said.

  Galla looked delighted. “Where are the generals?” she asked. “Who is leading the army?”

  Cam glanced at Dagan then tilted his head. “The army was ambushed by the wolves and most of its leadership was wiped out,” he said. “A shaman by the name of Sirrin has been in charge.”

  Galla’s smile faltered. “Sirrin?” she asked. “I don’t know that name.”

  Cam rubbed the back of his head. “I’m not surprised,” he said. “I think he likes it that way.”

  She managed to gather herself. “Very well. Take me to this Sirrin and the rest of the officer corps. We have a lot to work to do, Cam.” She took a few steps forward. The other Elders remained where they were, though Cam caught a respectful nod and smile from Frew.

  Galla stopped next to Cam and reached out. She took his arm and tilted her head toward him, a sly smile on her lips. He turned and began to lead her back toward where the rest of the army spilled up along the path between the huge columns, filling the plateau. He angled toward where Sirrin lingered surrounded by guards and officers. Dagan and Theus went to speak with the other Elders.

  “You’re going to be happy with me,” she said, her voice low enough that only he could hear.

  “I am?” he asked.

  “Oh yes,” she said. “A lot’s changed since you left. Father’s so angry with me.” She sounded excited, although her words sent a little pang of anxiety down his spine.

  “What did you do?” he asked.

  “See those Elders back there? They’re on your side now, Cam.”

  He stiffened. Those men were the most powerful of the Elder council, and they’d been against him before he’d left.

  “How?” he asked.

  “Yours truly,” Galla said. “I can be very convincing. But come on, take me to this Sirrin.”

  Cam led her on, and felt his excitement slowly vanish, replaced by a sinking feeling.

  Things were about to change. He could already feel it. If those Elders were somehow on his side, that meant Galla had been hard at work on his behalf. He didn’t really expect her to manage anything while he was out in the wilderness, but maybe he had underestimated her.

  He couldn’t do that again.

  38

  Cam unlocked the door to their rooms and lifted the lamp up high as he stepped across the threshold. Key came in next and rushed around, lighting lamps. Cam opened the window and let some cool, fresh air rush into the space, as Felin and Miuri came in last, walking hand in hand.

  “Feels good to be back here,” Key said. She opened the bedroom door and threw herself onto the huge bed. She groaned and rolled around on the soft mattress and piled skins and furs on top of her. “Oh my god, I missed this bed.”

  Felin growled and ran in after her. Miuri laughed as Felin dove on top of Key and snuggled in next to her. Cam grinned and leaned against the small table and surveyed their space. It looked just as they’d left it: the low couch in front of the wide fireplace, the small kitchen area spotless and organized, the table and chair adjusted just so. Miuri joined him and leaned against his shoulder.

  “I’m surprised, but Key’s right,” Miuri said. “This room was starting to feel like home before we left.”

  “And now we’re back.” Cam kissed her neck. “I suppose we should celebrate tonight.”

  “You dirty man,” Miuri said and kissed him. “Is that all you ever think about?”

  “Absolutely,” he said.

  Miuri laughed, but their mirth was quickly interrupted by a knock. Cam gave Miuri a look then walked over to answer it. He expected one of the Wardens, already there to chastise them for some minor infraction of Mansion etiquette, or to offer to perform some menial task Cam was more than capable of handling himself. Instead, he found Galla Remorn standing a foot away with her hands clasped in front of her.

  He’d left her with Sirrin and the other officers. She was taking them to her father for a meeting and a debriefing, and he thought she would have stuck around for that.

  Instead, she beamed at him. “Hi, Cam,” she said.

  “Galla. I wasn’t expecting you.”

  Miuri came over and joined Cam at the door. She held his arm and leaned against his side.

  “Hello, Galla,” she said. “You look lovely.”


  “Miuri, I’m happy to see you.” Galla stood on her toes and tried to look past Cam. “Is that Felin and Key?”

  “They’re busy getting reacquainted with our bed,” Cam said. “But I’m sure they’d like it if you said hello.”

  Galla laughed and blushed a little, and Cam realized what she thought he meant. He chose not to correct it.

  “No, I’m just here for you, Cam,” she said. “I was hoping we could talk a little bit?”

  He shrugged. “You’re welcome to come in,” he said.

  “Maybe somewhere… private?”

  He hesitated and looked down at Miuri. “You can say anything you want here,” he said.

  “Please.” She smiled at him, but he sensed a bit of tension behind her expression. “I’d appreciate your time.”

  He sucked in a breath and let it out. He knew he couldn’t turn her down, and he really did need to speak with her about what had happened since he left. He kissed Miuri’s cheek and slipped his arm from her grip.

  “Do you mind?” he asked.

  “Not at all. I’ll keep the others occupied.” She winked at Galla. “Have fun, you two.”

  Miuri slipped back into the room. Cam picked up a lamp hanging from the door hook and stepped out into the hall. He closed the door behind him then turned to Galla.

  “Where to?” he asked.

  “This way.” She stooped and picked up a lamp at her feet. She turned and went down the staircase, turned left, and took him to the training room where he practiced his sword with Miuri what felt like ages ago.

  She swept into the space and lit a few lamps. Their glow cast dull shadows on the plain walls. She walked over to the bench set into the far wall and lingered there before turning to him with a smile plastered on her face.

  “I’ve been busy,” she said.

  “You mentioned that.” He moved into the room, toward the benches, but didn’t sit. Galla remained standing, her hands clasped in front of her, lamp set down on the long bench.

  “I told you I’d work on your behalf,” she said. “I promised it, and I followed through.”

  Cam let out a breath. “What exactly did you do, Galla?”

  “It was slow going at first,” she said. “The Elders didn’t trust you and didn’t want a shaman to usurp their power. And on top of that, my father is jealous of the way your men look up to you.” She gave him a sly look. “He doesn’t command that kind of respect.”

  “Your father is a good leader,” Cam said, keeping his tone even and careful. “I doubt he thinks much of me at all.”

  Galla laughed. “Spoken like a true politician.”

  Cam grimaced and ran a hand along the hilt of his sword. “What else did you do, Galla?”

  “Not a lot, at first,” she said. “I planted a few seeds, suggested that the Mansion would need a strong warrior leader if we were to survive. My father is a great peacetime Lord, and he has worked wonders to increase its strength over the years, but I think we both know he’s been nothing but impulsive and foolish ever since the wolves came south.”

  “Sending the army out so soon would not have been my decision,” Cam said.

  He struggled to keep his tone neutral. He wasn’t sure what Galla was playing at here, but it couldn’t be good. Even if she was being honest, and truly believed that her father was not a good leader in a time of crisis, she was still his daughter and relied on him as the foundation of her own status. It made no sense for her to want to try and undermine his influence.

  “But then Frew came back,” she said. “He had a hard time of it, and he grumbled about you a lot, but the real story came out eventually.”

  “Real story?” Cam asked.

  “About how you saved them.” Galla stepped toward him, her eyes shining in the lamplight. “How you burned your way into that camp, slaughtered the wolves, and freed thousands of people. They all saw you, Cam. Every one of those prisoners talks about the fire shaman that saved their lives. Do you have any idea what that did for you?”

  Cam shook his head. “I wasn’t thinking about any of that,” he said.

  “Exactly.” She laughed, delighted. “That’s exactly why it worked so well. You just saved their lives. After Frew came back and all those prisoners spoke so highly of you, I began working on the other Elders, working on them hard. I won more than a few over to your side, and although my father’s aware of what I’m doing, I think this is going to be a good thing.”

  Cam stood there and shook his head, vacillating between shock and outrage. He didn’t want Galla to drive a wedge between him and Lord Remorn. If anything, he had hoped that Galla would strengthen his position with the Lord and make his voice louder at council. But he never wanted to siphon any strength away.

  “I don’t understand why you’d do any of this,” Cam said. “You’re undermining your own father, and I never asked for it.”

  She waved a hand dismissively. “I’m a practical woman, Cam. I know how to gain power and I know my power won’t come from fighting.”

  “But I don’t see how any of this benefits you,” he said.

  “It’s simple. My father is weak, and everyone knows we’re not going to win this war with a weak leader.” She stepped toward him, hair shining in the light. Her hips moved side to side and Cam took a step back. He remembered her body in the baths, which felt like years ago, but the memory came back as his eyes drifted down along her chest, to her hips and her long legs. He looked back up to her lips and sparkling eyes, and a smile spread across her face.

  “Your father’s not weak,” Cam said. “He was wrong once, then overly cautious. But he’s not weak.”

  “That doesn’t matter. He’s seen as weak by the others, and perception is just as important as reality. If you want men to follow you, Cam, you have to make them believe something. My father inspires nothing, and right now we need inspiration if we’re going to overcome this challenge.” She stepped in front of him and put her hands on his chest.

  He stared down at her and felt his heart beating fast.

  “Your father is the Lord of this Mansion,” Cam said.

  “The Elders don’t trust him,” she said. “His general staff has been decimated. I’m not such a fool as to think he can bring us out of this alive. Why are you clinging to this idea of my father as the rightful ruler of this place?”

  Cam took a step back away from her. She tilted her head, still smiling.

  “What are you trying to do?” he asked.

  “I think we can save our people,” she said. “If we work together, we can come through this crisis. Cam, I don’t believe my father is capable of defeating the wolves. He doesn’t listen to my council and he barely listens to the Elders. If I thought he had any chance, I wouldn’t go through any of this. But where things stand now, I believe you’re our best hope for the future.”

  “I don’t know how you can say that,” he said. “I’m just… I’m just a shaman.”

  “You led men,” she said. “You led them into battle, and you won. You found the army, came up with a plan, and you saved it. You led the army back to us, and now we have a fighting chance. You don’t have the political mind, but you don’t need it. I can take care of that, if you can take care of leading men into battle.”

  Cam shook his head. “There are more experienced men here than me.”

  “And none of them took action. None of them, except for you. And none of them have the power that you do.”

  Cam turned away from her. He walked across the room, his hands rubbing together like he was trying to clean dirt from his palms.

  His mind swam with what she said. She wanted him to take control from her father. Her words echoed what Sirrin said back on the road, and he felt the struggle deep within himself.

  He didn’t want any of this. It was never part of his plan. And yet the more he did, the more he tried to do the right thing, the deeper they pushed him into power.

  He knew that if he didn’t take on the mantle, someone else
would do it, and he didn’t know who else he could trust.

  The world was at stake. Everyone he loved was at stake, his way of life, his very existence. The wolves would tear it all to pieces, he knew that as sure as anything. He’d seen it in those slave pens, and he’d seen it in their eyes as they threw themselves at his magic, prepared to be slaughtered for their cause.

  A chill ran down his spine.

  Someone had to step up and lead. Galla was right, Cam didn’t think Lord Remorn would be capable of that, and he didn’t think any of the other Elders would be able to win enough support.

  “How?” he asked, and with one simple word, he felt as though he was diving down into a bottomless pit, his body twisting in the wind.

  “It’s simple, actually,” she said. “You have no rights to the Mansion as you are. Men might follow you, and my father might make you a true general, but if you want real power, there’s only one way.”

  She walked to him and he turned to face her again. She stopped and looked up into his eyes.

  “You’ll have to marry me,” she said.

  Cam didn’t move. He stared down at the beautiful woman in front of him and felt his heart leap into his throat. She smiled up at him and the light played on her face, made her eyes seem larger, her cheekbones higher.

  “We don’t even know each other,” he said. “You want to… get married?”

  She laughed and tossed her hair back. “Please, Cam,” she said. “I’m a Lord’s daughter. Before all this happened, he was shopping me around like a prized cow. I would have had no choice in who I married, and I probably would have ended up the wife of some minor village Elder in exchange for a greater share of their wheat.”

  Cam cleared his throat. “But, still, I just… I can’t just marry you, Galla.”

  “Of course you can.” She put a hand on her hip. “I know you think I’m attractive. I’ve seen you staring at me.”