Steel Melody

Part 13:

Part I:

...In the years following the Fourth large-scale war shared between the northern and southern peoples of the World's Passage, the decline of Southern industry and increased dependence on Northern raw materials signified the beginning of new conflicts. Years later, the last of the Southern annual mining yields, perhaps the last ever, intended to industrialise and rebuild the economic stature of the South, were raided en masse by organised groups of contract mercenaries.[14] The largest yield belonging to Xi'eik trade was robbed by the mercenary troupe of the Scythed Raiders.[15] The theft of trillions in Southern wealth was blamed upon the Northern Federation, or at least on government interference. These accusations escalated when the Scythed Raiders returned north, bringing with them the South's rightful wealth. Threatened by the economic downfall of their state, Xi'eik Trade's companies and governors backed by the Southern Emperor grew ever closer to a final solution...

Extract from 'The Modern Age and the World Passage

"Where'd that precious smile go, Marrow? That obnoxious thing on your face grinning from ear to ear." Lertz mocked.

Hold your fire." Marrow ordered before some callous gun could fire too quickly. "Now Lertz, careful now. I didn't know I hired a professional." Marrow spoke. Confidence left and caution took root. Lertz was quiet.

Heartrik couldn't move his head, nor see Lertz's face. It didn't take long for Marrow to develop a frown. His voice faded to a droning and gruff threat. The obnoxious courage left him until he capitulated, chuckling a nervous murmur. "Fine then. Twenty percent Lertz, as you want. Now pass me back the boy."

"Don't think I'll be doing that until I get my money. As soon as I pass him over I'm a dead man anyway, or so you hope. The madness in your eyes gives it all away." he said. His words cut Marrow's own in two.

"So you think you can read me Lertz Bleakowel? Ha, I doubt it. But I, I can read you. I know that you won't cut the boy's throat. You wouldn't kill a child, would you? And if you were heartless enough to draw the life of a child then you'd be dooming yourself. You won't kill my boy, no chance." Marrow slurred.

Lertz's blade draw close along Heartrik's throat, his neck tightening as if in challenge.

"Wish to test?" Lertz asked. Then a tingle strained against the far side of Heartrik's neck, only against muscle. It wasn't painful enough for him to wince, but soon the cold warmth of blood floated down upon Heartrik's shoulder.

Marrow grew uneasy. "Stop!" the Raider ordered darkly. The tingle stopped.

Lertz laughed. "Test me again I may go a little further next time." he chuckled. "You seem to have all forgotten my skills. How I cut clean through those cannons for you, how I cut through ten men just to reach the last. What gives you the confidence to assume I won't kill the boy? After all, I might just kill all of you. With all this cover I could duck and weave between trees and pick each of you off before you can cry the names of the fallen. In this clearing you'd become hens in a coup, waiting to be pounced on. And don't think my morals will stop me from cutting this boy's throat. That would be a mistake." Heartrik could not see Lertz's face, but he knew it was twisted into an evil grin, those pale half-dead eyes shining as cold as ever. Everyone around him looked afraid. Bren had disappeared just like Ilysies.

Marrow only laughed. "Twenty five percent I figure? That's what you want eh?" He said, taking a seat by a fire and helping himself to a stray drink.

Lertz spoke. "I fancy the number fifty more. A perfect round number." he said.