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

Chapter 45: A Memories Worth of Trouble

There was a sad smile on Custodia's lips as she stepped around the table, tired eyes firmly set on him. A wisp of gray hair tumbled past her cheek before she crooned it back into place. She was just like Dux had remembered her, only twenty years older now. Slowly he leaned down, reaching for his knife.

"Think you can kill a ghost?" She laughed, her words teasing. The frown on Dux's face hardened even further. He stood back up.

"A lot of weird things have happened to the Vangen lately, Ira," Dux growled. "We killed a wolfman. Fended off a Jotan. I wouldn't be surprised in the least bit if I could kill a ghost right now."

Custodia stopped at the sound of her real name, a small imp of remembrance welling in her eyes before they'd gone razor-sharp once more. "Color me surprised then. You and your Vangen have done well getting past us so far."

"Us?"

"The Ministry," Custodia narrowed her gaze at him. "Don't play dumb."

"Maybe I should be the surprised one then," Dux took a step towards her, spreading his arms out. "I never knew you to join the Ministry. Last I heard, you were Grand Marshal of the Caligati, and quite satisfied if I'm not mistaken."

"I was," Custodia shot back. "Until I started putting more citizens to the fire then criminals. Until I started realizing that the Empress I served was bat shit insane!"

"So you thought joining Tyrannus' rebellion would solve things?"

"Oh, go feck yourself, Dag," Custodia jabbed a finger at him. "Don't think you have any moral high ground to stand on."

"I don't!" Dux slammed his fist down, scattering the little army pieces across the table. "I never did. The sad truth is that I know exactly where I stand in all this. But do you?"

"I joined the rebellion for the greater good," Custodia said. "For the Empire." She looked down, watching as one ivory carving collided into a set of black stones.

"Is that what Tyrannus told you when he convinced you to join his little Ministry of traitors?" Dux asked.

"Tyrannus has good intentions, Dag," Custodia said. "He can bring the Emperor back."

"Tyrannus is a snake!" Dux shot back. "Whatever he told you is a lie! The Emperor is dead!"

"You don't know that!"

"I was there," Dux's voice echoed out in the large room. "I watched the Empress kill him myself! She pulled his fecking heart out!"

Custodia took a cautious step towards him, her eyes soft, wrinkling gently at the edges. "Please, Dag. Listen to me for once in your life, you stubborn ass. Tyrannus is not lying," She clutched at her chest, where once a ring lay round a silver chain. "The Emperor is still alive, and Tyrannus has the means to bring him back. We can finally end this. All of this," And she waved a hand over the wooden carving of the city. "No more rebellions. No more war. No more unneeded bloodshed. Byzantia can be an Empire once more. United. The usurper can finally be dethroned."

Dux looked away, staring at nothing. Ira was right, he admitted, and gods damn her for it. Everything had gone to shit since the Empress had taken the Onyx Throne. Macedonibus. Austerland. Orienta. He'd been putting down rebellions against imperial loyalists and copper crowned warmongers for twenty years now, with no end in sight. And for what? Sleepless nights and haunted dreams? Feck all that.

Custodia took another step towards him. "It's not too late. There's still time for you and your Vangen to fix all this. Send a message to Tyrannus. Call off the duel."

"You want me to surrender?" Dux asked, unable to look at her.

"I want you to live you big dumb bastard," Custodia said, her voice finally cracking. A tear fell down her cheek, disappearing into nothing. "You can't defeat Aeturnus! No one can! You've seen it yourself. Anyone you send out to fight him is going to end up dead."