The Catalyst

Chapter 69

"We've all seen that flying demon of yours," Amary said.

"You expect her to go into the lion's den alone?" Saveron exclaimed. "Have you lost your goddamn mind?"

"It's all right, Captain," Tessa said calmly. "Amary, you've just lost your father and friends, and now you fear for your brother's life. It's quite understandable. However, I suggest we focus on tonight's attack. Once we win, Neros will be set free. Now, the two of you should join forces and prepare a speech for our troops. Yes, what happened is a tragedy. Which leaves us with two options: let it destroy us, or use it to rile up the soldiers."

"How uncanny." Amary crossed his arms. "It almost sounds like you've thought this through already."

"Or like I have real experience leading an army," she retorted.

"All right enough," Saveron said. "What she's saying makes a lot of sense, Amary."

"You wouldn't shed a tear, would you, if my brother died?" Amary accused. "One less man standing in the way of you becoming emperor. Tell me, where were you when the murders happened?"

Saveron's face reddened. "I was out looking for Tessa."

"Of course you were," Amary scoffed. "Not only do you want to become emperor, you want to make her your tenth wife. It's embarrassingly obvious."

"I only have seven wives," Saveron corrected. "And I couldn't find Tessa, so I went back to the inn, and walked right into a slaughterhouse." He turned to Tessa. "One of the Dragon's followers told us where to find you."

"Which one?" she asked.

"The odd one that keeps to himself," Saveron answered. "With the . . . sharp teeth."

"What was he doing there?" Tessa inquired.

"From what I gathered, he was keen on questioning the soldiers about what type of magic was used to rescue the prostitutes."

"I see."

"Saveron," Amary said abruptly, "let's gather the army. I'll be giving that speech. But know this. If my brother dies, I'll become Emperor. And make no mistake, I will find out who was behind those murders today, and there will be a reckoning."

After glaring one last time at Tessa, Amary left the balcony. The look Saveron gave her before going after him was quite the opposite, full of longing and desire. Alone once more, Tessa turned back to her view, taking in the cold, cloudless sky spanning over the hills to the north-west.

Pathetic men. They bickered and quarreled, failing to realize that they were only pawns. Without ever knowing who was truly pulling the strings. One way or another, Amary was right about something. There would be a reckoning.

***

The army gathered in the merchant squares to hear Amary's speech. It was not particularly well-written, tempered by his petulant anger, and by the end of it the troops' morale seemed bleak.

Following this, Tessa lingered in the streets with Tomas to hunt for gossip. Apparently, not everyone agreed with Amary on the importance of rescuing Neros. After all, Neros had famously ignored his father's orders and skedaddled to Fellera on his own to chase after some unimportant half-sister.

Then, Tessa and Tomas made their way to a meeting with what was left of the army's leaders – Amary, Saveron, and the Dragon. Yesterday, the captains had met at the Princess of the Millennia. Recent events calling for a change of venue, they convened today inside an elegant artisan's shop, surrounded by displays of porcelain tea sets.