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

Chapter 64: A Man's Love Runs Deep

They were surrounded, Dux was, alongside the rest of his bloody crew. The rebels had them corralled, driving the guardsmen back through sheer numbers. No matter how much Dux chopped, no matter how many bodies Regis felled, they just kept coming.

Predictably, Dux soon found himself pressing back to back with another guardsman. A line of spears closed off the retreat. The rebels had closed off the advance. The Vangen were surrounded.

Dux bristled at the thought of what it felt like to be run through with a spear. It probably wasn't the best way to go when it came to dying. He'd seen plenty of men die worse.

"This looks pretty bad," Regis pressed into Dux's shoulder, gripping Giantsbane in both hands. A steady stream of blood pattered off its razor edge onto the cobblestones. "Think we could charge through them?"

"Too risky," Dux scanned the rebel lines. "Wait for my signal. They've stopped attacking us, which can only mean one thing."

A familiar voice rang out from the crowd. "Captain Dag!"

"Somebody wants to monologue," Dux watched on as the rebel army parted. Tyrannus stepped into view, a thick sweat draped across his brow. Dark circles tugged under his eyes, one twitching every so often. Custodia stood beside her, her face hidden behind a hard stare.

"You look like shit," Dux said.

Tyrannus gave a half-hearted smile. "As do you, old friend. This little war of ours has taken quite the toll on us."

Dux glanced over at Custodia. She still didn't acknowledge him. Her gaze was distant, glassy, as if she were dreaming.

"What have you done to her?" Dux demanded.

Tyrannus tilted his head, smiling with amusement. "Dear Ira has shown her true colors at last. She thought herself a loyalist for the Empire, but the Emperor foresaw her treachery. He tested her devotion, and she failed. It appears she loved you more than she loved her duty."

"I said, what have you done to her?" Dux repeated, his voice razor-sharp this time.

Tyrannus rolled his eyes skyward. "I have done to her as I have done with everyone else," He guided a hand over the crowd. "I reminded her of where duty her lies as a Minister of the Empire."

"You brainwashed her, you sick bastard."

Dag, dag, dag," Tyrannus tsked. "You make it sound as if I stripped away her free will. I have done no such thing. All I did was," And he tapped a finger to his chin. "Give her a compelling argument is all."

"That's sick, Marus. Even for you," Dux spat on the ground. "She's not compelled. She's a goddess, damned puppet."

"She's a fecking traitor is what she is," Tyrannus roaring, finally losing his composure. The air around him suddenly began to ripple like heat in a mirage. A wave of nausea came over Dux, taking Everything he had not to vomit.

"Look at us, Dag," Tyrannus composed himself. "At all this. Look at what our glorious Empire has become. Here we are, squabbling like children while the Usurper sits on her throne, laughing at us."

Dux glared at Tyrannus, too tired and too angry to debate with the man any longer.

"Please, Dag," Tyrannus pleaded, sounding almost genuine. "End this foolish brigade of yours already. Your loyalty to the Empress is misplaced. She will be the death of you. The death of our Empire."

Tyrannus held out a hand. "My offer still stands. Join me, join the Emperor, and together we can fix this once and for all. Your men will live. Ira will be yours once more. Join me, and all this suffering can end."