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

Chapter 26: A Woman's Temptation

In the world of Antiquity, Byzantia's sewer system was a modern marvel. Filth had a tendency to cling to humanity the way fleas cling to a dog. The ease of disposing of it made that much harder the more people congregated together. The solution for it, however, was remarkably simple. Pipe it somewhere else. That somewhere else, in Byzantia's case, was the Album Sea.

Byzantia's sewer congested into tunnels, sluices, and lead pipes, all snaking through the underground. Built to filter all of the cities waste out in a clean and semi-orderly manner. Every twist and turn made even the fabled Minotaur Labyrinth of Krate pale in comparison.

And yet Elena traversed through these tunnels as if she knew them like the back of her hand.

"You are lucky I found you when I did malenka mish. Who knows what those awful rebels would have done to you if I hadn't." Elena looked over her shoulder, her smile blemished by shadows guttering from the torch in her hand. By now, the last vestige of twilight had left the sky, plunging the world, and the sewers, into thick oily darkness.

Libro felt like he couldn't stop smiling. Elena's words were like honey to his ears, but what she said perked up a question that made his soldier's paranoia itch.

"By the way, how did you know I was down here?" He asked.

"Aah, yes, that." Elena began. She turned back towards the path ahead, her face hidden by the glare of the torch. "I had been following those band of rebels when they caught you. The rebellion has been hard on the city, even worse for my people, and those rebels stole from my family, you see."

When Elena faced him next, she had a smile that made Libro's doubt melt away instantly. "Call it a coincidence, I suppose."

Libro nodded in agreement. The Keevs were loyal to the Empire, Their assimilation had been amicable. Naturally, they would have resisted joining the rebellion, opting instead to stay behind the alienage walls.

"Damn Ministry," Libro rubbed at his stubble. A days growth and It was starting to itch like mad. "This rebellion they've started is going to tear the city apart."

Elan nodded her head in agreement. "Already, I have heard of ill tidings."

"Of what?" That piqued Libro's interest. News had been slim to none since the Vangen had entered the city.

Elena took awhile to answer. When she did, Libro wasn't surprised why she had given pause. "I have heard that the Empress will lose this war."

"That's not true." Libro shot back."

This time it was Elena's interest who was peaked. "Oh?"

"I'm sure my brothers have reached the palace by now. Despite the setbacks." He added.

"So sure, are you?" Elena looked over at him, her pale face garbed in raven hair. Her eyes glittered like amethysts in the torchlight.

Libro felt the heat rising up his neck. "I have no doubt the Vangen will succeed."

"Such conviction." Elena mused, eyeing Libro up and down like a piece of meat on display. It made his heart race.

"I...ugh...," Words tumbled out of his mouth faster than he could form a sentence with them. It had been a while since a girl had been sweet with him—a long while. The last one being the Fletcher's daughter back at the alienage. Before he joined the Vangen. Before his parents died.

"Calm yourself malenka mish. I only tease." Elena laughed.

"Why do you insist on calling me a little mouse?" Libro goaded himself to tease her back. Gods, he felt like a teenager again. Blushing and teasing like he was back at the maypole harvest festival.