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

Chapter 27: A Weapon's Right to Fear

Custodia marched past Blackstone Tower's gate like a woman pursued. Her black cloak billowed behind her, revealing the glint of chainmail and lamellar beneath. The Caligati patrol saluted as she passed, but she paid them no heed. There were other things on her mind at the moment.

Past the gate, the tower rose before her. In the past, it had been known as Lover's Tower. A symbol of the Emperor's affection for his newly betrothed. That is until she had murdered him and imprisoned half the noble families of Byzantia, setting them ablaze along with countless others. Custodia couldn't help but revel in the irony as she ascended the steps leading in.

Torchlight burned brightly within the tower. A retinue of tables, chairs, bookcases, and supply crates littered the interior. An aged yet handsome man garbed in black sat nearby, pouring over a map of Byzantia. He looked up as Custodia entered, his amber eyes strained from exhaustion.

"Carnifex is dead, Tyrannus," Custodia said, cutting quickly to the heart of the matter.

Tyrannus lowered the map. "I know. I felt his passing moments ago."

Custodia wheeled around the table at a quick pace. "I told him not to underestimate the Vangen. I told him to keep a tighter patrol in Gray Hogs dungeon, but that damned idiot couldn't be bothered." She slammed a fist against the wood in her frustration.

Tyrannus eyed her coolly. "I recall telling you the same thing."

"I have not underestimated them."

Tyrannus chuckled at her remark. "Then why is Gray Hogs Keep a smoldering pile of slag right now?"

Custodia blanched and looked away, choosing silence instead of excuses. Appearing pleased, Tyrannus placed the map back on the table. "Carnifex was always the weakest link in our retinue. He never had the drive to be more than just a torturer. We're better off without him anyway."

"With all due respect, sir...," Custodia began to say, but Tyrannus' eyes stopped her. Even as tired and bloodshot as they were, there was still a fire in them that made her think twice about continuing on with what she had to say.

Tyrannus slid the map over to her. "What of the others?"

Custodia took the map and studied the stratagem marks stenciled on the canvas. She closed her eyes and reached out, brushing against the minds of the other Ministers. Feeling out there whereabouts. After a few minutes, she answered.

"Tranquillis has reached the Sanctus Sophim. He's inside, but Cannis is not with him."

"Where is he then?" Tyrannus demanded.

"Northwest, past Gray Hogs near the canals."

Tyrannus rubbed the bridge of his nose. "If only the youth was half as obedient as you Custodia. We'd have won this little rebellion by now."

Custodia took the compliment in stride. "Thank you, sir."

"Continue, please." Tyrannus waved a hand.

"Right," Custodia glanced over the map. "Aeturnus has kept the siege on the Palace ongoing, but the loyalists have dug in. Any efforts have been met with attrition."

Tyrannus brow furrowed in agitation. "What about the artillery I supplied him?"

Custodia faltered as she reached out to Aeturnus for an answer. It took a while to get one. "He tells me one of the mechanisms broke after he destroyed the Sanguine Bridge. An accident on his part."

"Clumsy oaf." Agitation bubbled into frustration in Tyrannus' features. "And of Mendax?" He growled.

Custodia bit her lip. "She does not answer."