Tales of the Vangen: The Black Ministry's Betrayal (Book 1)

Chapter 11: A Knock at the Door

The high stone walls of Byzantia, known to all as the Imperial capital, dominated the coastline of the Album Sea, reaching from the western AshFields down into eastern Turcia. Every stone was hand-carved, bearing the symbol of a noble house—every new generation adding their stones to the ever-growing defense to their beloved city. Byzantia was not just another port city on the map. It was the center. It was history. It was the crown jewel of the world.

To kings, Byzantia was a fortress. To merchants, Byzantia was a treasure. To the Vangen, Byzantia was home, but not today.

Libro watched Byzantia's battlements through a spyglass. He sat on his stomach over a steep hill, tallying marks with charcoal and paper each time a guard passed. So far, he'd made fifty in total. Surprisingly light for a civil war.

Grass shifted, and a form saddled up beside Libro. "Any changes?" Dux asked.

"None, Captain. A few changes of the guard, but otherwise, it's been eerily quiet." Libro passed the spyglass to Dux.

"Uhm." Dux nodded and peered out. "The Black Ministry probably wants to keep things hush-hush. A city overthrowing its ruler is a city ripe for invasion. The Turcians would practically shit themselves with joy if they found out."

A massive understatement. Half the neighboring kingdoms were under the imperial yoke. The other half needed reminding. If word got around their ruler were suddenly deposed, the repercussions would be catastrophic.

"Do you have a plan?" Libro asked.

Dux glanced over at Libro and shrugged. "Hard to say right now. They've shut the east gate. No one's entered. No one's left. And the walls are too damn thick for a proper siege. Now I regret using the annihilation sphere back in Oria. Could have punched a hole big enough to charge through if needed."

Libro shuddered at the thought. He didn't need reminding of the black crater they'd left behind a month prior. Another war crime in a long list to add to the Archive. All for the Empress and her lust for domination.

Dux handed the spyglass back to Libro. "Come on. Let's head back to camp. I've seen enough." Dux slithered down the steep hill. Libro followed after. The Vangen camp was a short distance away, nestled in the crook of the mountain overlooking Byzantia. The landscape surrounding the eastern fringe of the city made well for a natural barrier. Sloping hills and winding valleys made for tiring an invading army long before they could reach Byzantia's walls. Long enough to muster a defense.

Dux and Libro passed by two saluting patrolmen as they entered into the main body of the camp. Soldiers worked in pairs, staking tents in a careful pattern amongst the wild maples and Judas-trees. If the Black Ministry wanted to find the Vangen, they would have to leave the safety of their walls to find them.

The other officers stood waiting in Dux's corner of the camp. A small fortification surrounded the Captain's tent and his sparse personal effects. Regis sat on a rolled out carpet, smoking tabaci from a hand-carved pipe. Magus sat with him, making shapes out the clouds with his glamour. Culter was leaning against a tree, picking at his cuticles. Nox and Civis were conversing in the Austerland tongue.

Civis greeted Libro in his usual manner. "How goes the subterfuge, peeper?" A new nickname. How quaint, Libro thought. He ignored Civis's obvious baiting and turned to everyone else.

"Patrols were light on the battlements. The east gate is closed, though, but I don't think they're expecting our return any time soon." Libro procured the tally sheet and passed it around.

Regis stared at the paper and produced a puff of smoke in the shape of a rabbit. "You think the courier the Empress sent would have raised some suspicion with the Black Ministry?"