Meta Gods War 3, B. Miles [best english books to read for beginners .txt] 📗

after his master like a fat, hungry dog. Together, they left the council room.

“Well,” Galla said, beaming at the assembled men and women. “I suppose we should take over this meeting for now, then?”

Cam sank back into his seat and stared at the burned head lying on the table in front of him.

He wondered if that man really had been an assassin.

Or if he had been a sacrifice.

6

The meeting staggered along, strained and difficult. Cam noticed more Elders looking in his direction for answers, more military officers paying attention when he spoke. They worked through a list of tasks prepared by the council that needed attention: where to send precious stores, Mansion defenses that needed strengthening, how many men they needed to conscript for the army.

Cam felt exhausted when it was over. The council filtered out into the hallway, talking to each other in soft voices, a low murmur of plotting and scheming and alliance-building. Galla stuck by his side as the room cleared, beaming at the officers who stopped by to pay their respects, bowing their heads like she was the true Lord of the Mansion.

And in some ways, in many ways, Cam realized she was.

“Camrus.”

A deep voice, familiar and grating, cut through the few council members that remained. Cam pushed his chair back and stood, spotting Arter standing near the doorway.

He wore a clean tunic, crisp and well-fitting, though motley and patched. He looked thin but healthier than the last time Cam had seen him. His sons flanked him, Janter and Vorn, the pig-faced meat-brained twins who were good in a fight but not much else.

“Arter.” Cam walked to the former Elder and clasped his forearm. “How are you getting used to the Mansion?”

“Slowly,” he said. “But we’re getting there.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“I came to thank you again,” he said. “And to pass on a message.”

Cam tilted his head and released Arter’s arm. “What message?” he asked.

“From the men that were in the pens,” he said, and took a step back from Cam. He bunched his right fist into a tight ball, and for half a moment Cam thought Arter was going to try and punch him in the mouth

But instead, the man pressed his fist against his chest and got down on one knee.

His sons mirrored the gesture.

“Arter—” Cam started.

But Arter interrupted.

“I pledge my life to you, Camrus,” he said. “You saved us from those pens. You brought the army back from the brink. I’ve heard rumors that you’re going to move into a more senior position, and I wanted to be the first to offer myself as your personal guard.”

Cam opened his mouth, not sure what to say. A month ago, Arter hated him and wanted nothing to do with him. Arter had gone out of his way to push back against Cam’s leadership at every opportunity, and it was through his own foolish pride that he ended up captured by the wolves.

And yet there he was, kneeling and pledging his life in service.

“Stand up, Arter,” Cam said.

Arter’s eyes flashed up to Cam’s, hard and halfway insulted. “Are you saying—”

“Arter,” Cam said, tone gentle but serious. “Please, get to your feet.”

Arter slowly stood and his boys followed. “If you don’t want—”

Cam held up a hand. “Please,” he said. “Listen.”

Arter took a breath and nodded once. “I’m listening.”

“During council today, I was officially given command of the army,” he said, though the words still felt strange.

Surprise rippled over Arter’s face. “I knew you were gaining allies and consolidating power, but this…” He trailed off.

“It was sudden,” Cam said, “and entirely unexpected. But it happened, and now I need to figure out how I’m going to move forward.”

Arter nodded sharply. “I think I understand.”

“I have enemies, Arter. Enemies within these very halls. I’m going to need your support, and I’ll gladly accept your pledge, but I have a condition.”

“Anything,” Arter said.

Cam reached out and touched Arter’s shoulder. “If you pledge your life to me, you also pledge your life to my family.”

Arter’s eyes flipped to Galla then back to Cam. “Of course.”

“All of them,” Cam said. “All of my girls.”

“I would gladly give my life for any of them,” he said.

Cam laughed and squeezed Arter’s shoulder then released him.

“I doubt that,” he said. “But it’s a start.”

“Does this mean you’ll accept us?”

“Yes, it does,” Cam said. “Go gather any of the men you trust from the pens, those that can fight and are willing. I’ll send someone to arm and armor you.”

“Thank you, Camrus,” he said. “You won’t regret this.”

“I know,” Cam said.

Arter saluted him, fist to his chest, then turned on his heel and left, his boys right behind him.

After Arter departed, Galla and Cam were alone in the room. Cam watched the man go and let out a breath, still coming to grips with what was happening to him. It felt like things were moving fast, too fast for him to comprehend, and he was just barely keeping pace.

But soon, it would sweep him aside, and he’d ride the wave of whatever destiny had in store.

He turned to Galla and she beamed at him as she stood.

“That was well done,” she said.

“Thank you.” Cam didn’t move as she came closer and touched his cheek.

“He’ll make a good Captain for your personal guard. You’ll need someone loyal to a fault.”

“I agree,” Cam said, and took her hand in his own. “But his loyalty doesn’t bother me.”

“Something else does?” She tilted her head, smile wavering.

“You sent that assassin.” The words tumbled from his lips, and as soon as he spoke them out loud, he knew they were true.

She raised her chin. “I did,” she said.

Her admission sent a spike through his chest. “Why, Galla?” he asked.

She stared into his eyes, her face defiant and serious. She turned from him and strode toward the head of the room, hands behind her back. She stood with her back to him, looking up at the far wall like she was studying the roughly carved rock before slowly turning back