Page 6 of Kingdom of Lies

“May the Deceiver guide your blade,” I tell him, and he hurries off with a pleased look.

I have no idea what the captain wants to see me for, maybe a ticket out here, something more deserving. I’ve watched many with much lesser talents than me rise quicker due to their connections.

But that has never held me back. Every promotion I have made has been out of merit and not through some rich uncle who is fucking the General’s wife. And probably when the occasion arises, the general as well.

The captain’s quarters are close to the village chief’s house, most likely so he can keep an eye on him and his fat, red-faced wife. I care for neither; they are the worst that humanity has to offer, and that bar is low indeed.

I see the light is on, and the captain is home, so I go to the door, knock, and wait. It’s not long before I hear a voice from within that I know as the captain.

“Come in, Draknir,” he calls out. He knows it’s me because I don’t waste time, and orders are to be obeyed. I turn the handle of the wooden door. It creaks as it opens, and I enter.

The lit fireplace in the corner of the captain’s study illuminates the room. The table against the wall has several maps, and a desk in the center is crowded with letters and a bottle. The captain takes the last from his glass in his hand as he greets me.

“Always trouble at the top, Draknir, always trouble at the top.” He takes another swig from his glass but realizes it’s empty. “Drink?”

I nod. It might calm the rage of the stew in my stomach.

The captain lifts the bottle on the desk, realizing he has only one glass, and calls out. “Horus!”

A tiny, portly human appears in the room as quickly as a flash. I note that he looks well-fed for a slave.

“How may I be of service, my captain?” he announces.

“I need a glass, Horus.”

“Right away, my captain,” Horus says, slipping out of the room with a bow.

“Good chap, a little odd even for a human.” The captain laughs.

Obliged, I do as well. It’s a matter of seconds before Horus appears back in the room with another glass. He carefully places it on the desk and bows out of the room again. The captain pours me a drink and hands it to me.

“From Milthar, the Minotaur might be a loathsome beast, but they know how to make good wine. I have a contact there. If you ever need a case of two, just let me know. All on the hush-hush, of course.”

I take a mouthful of the wine and immediately understand what he is talking about. The flavors of wildflowers and sunbaked oak fill my mouth.

“Excellent choice, Captain, it is quite exquisite,” I tell him. He is pleased with that.

“Now, to business, look, I have a letter here. Damn, the post takes forever to get here, so I apologize on behalf of our useless elves at HQ,” he says, handing me an open envelope.

The handwriting on the envelope I immediately recognize. Even after all these years, I know that it’s his. My father. The man who discarded me as a boy. He left me an orphan. And sent my beautiful mother into servitude.

I’m not even sure I have any wish to read it. I play with the envelope in my hands, crumple the edges, and take a large swig of the wine, emptying the glass.

“May I have another?” I ask the captain.

“Of course, my boy, fill your boots. I’ve got a cartload of this stuff fresh off the boat,” he declares.

He takes my glass, pours the wine, and hands it back to me. “Are you going to read it?”

“I’d rather not.” There’s not much my father could possibly say that I’d ever want to hear. I’m of half a mind to toss the letter in the fireplace and watch it burn.

The captain opens the letter and scans it right in front of me. His sharp eyebrows rise.

“Your father would like to recognize you as his son formally. He’d like you to return to the fold and take up that position by his side. Put the past behind you and look to the future. In a nutshell, my dear boy,” he states matter-of-factly.

I ought to have burned it. The nerve of my so-called father curls my mouth with anger. “That, well, is certainly a turn-up for the books.”

“I thought as much, so I am going to speak candidly here, Draknir,” his tone has changed, sober and careful.

---