A Soldier's Life - 270 - Konstantin POV (Complete - 6300 words!)

Chapter 270: Konstantin POV

Konstantin's journey to the capital took a grueling two weeks on foot, as he had to steer clear of the main roads teeming with soldiers and legionnaires. With the death of the Emperor, it was surprising that the Esenhem elves hadn't made a move towards the capital or the Atlantium ruins to the south. Konstantin speculated that their ultimate goal would be the Atlantium ruins, but their recent losses had made them exercise caution.

Under the cover of night, he carefully concealed his armor and weapons amidst the dense foliage of the woods before assuming the guise of a rugged woodsman. Venturing into small farming towns, he sought out whispers and rumors, only to find a bewildering lack of consensus among the townsfolk.

One claimed that the orcs had triumphed in the Western Empire, while another vehemently argued that the Legion had successfully repelled the orc fleet, sinking their ships at sea. The disagreement was a bitter reminder of his lost connection to the Empire's information network. Konstantin could only listen impassively, wary of being recognized by venturing into the bustling inns of larger towns.

Now, he was glad to be at the capital's gates, and it looked like the Emperor’s death had reached here before him. Konstantin entered Telha in beggar clothes, with white chalk aging his facial hair and a brace on his foot. It gave him a believable limp, and the loose tattered clothes covered his muscular frame. The fresh-faced guards searched him roughly, taking his purse of coppers but letting him pass. That minor theft alone told him things had deteriorated.

Moving into the city, there was a lot of tension in the city streets, and people were hyper-alert as they moved. Konstantin paused at a cart vendor and paid three times what the skewered meat should have cost. The vendor even gave him the grisly portion, thinking him a crippled beggar.

Konstantin walked past the Eastern Legion Hall, surprised to find the gates locked and no movement inside the compound. That was a shock in itself. Never had the Hall been closed in his memory, and he could only surmise there were no legionnaires available to be quartered there.

He slowly made his way to a dimly lit alley nearby, settling in among the discarded debris that should have been cleared away long ago and hauled far outside the city to a refuse pit. As he waited for the cover of night, he took brief, restless naps, swatting away bold rats that ventured too close.

With the ethereal glow of Neptune’s Tear illuminating the night sky, he stealthily scaled the wall, landing softly in the courtyard of the Eastern Legion Hall. The city housed two other Legion Halls: the Imperial Legion Hall within the Palace, and the Western Legion Hall catering to training men who volunteered to serve in the Legion. However, the hall he entered tonight was designated for conscripted legionnaires, a somber reminder of his own involuntary service.

The Hall was completely quiet as he searched the extensive structure in the dark, confirming it was empty. He found the armory and equipment rooms locked and bolted. It took him a few attempts with his spell form to open the lock. Stepping inside, the room looked ransacked, most of the equipment and weapons gone. After closing the door, he used a glowstone to pick through the remnants and get proper clothes and weapons. He had hated burying his precious sword outside the city, but knew a runic weapon would have given him away.

“What do you think you are doing, old man?” A voice cut through the air behind him.

Konstantin whirled and crouched, cursing his failure at stealth. A portly woman stood in the door. She had not only opened it without him noticing but also entered the room. A testy Konstantin rebuked, “You are older than me, Gilda.” The woman was Antonia’s master poisoner and, despite her apparent bulk, was quieter than a cat on the prowl. She had been working in the kitchens here when he had last seen her.

“Some of us age better than others,” she shrugged. He moved the glowstone to get a better view of her. She had dried blood on her cook’s apron and looked pretty haggard.

He studied her expression as he spoke, ready to react to any provocation. “Duke Octavian betrayed us. Sergius and the Western Hounds have allied with him and have probably killed all of Cornelius’ loyal Hounds.”

She nodded slowly, her eyes heavy with lack of sleep, and her voice flat without emotion. “I thought as much. Antonia is dead, her headless corpse resides in her villa, two weeks past.”

“Sergius took Cornelius’ head as well. A necromancer will ferret out all their secrets in a short time. Why are you still here then?” Konstantin pretended to relax but shifted his position to gain easier access to a spear leaning against the wall. If Gilda had sided with Octavian, he wanted to be ready.

Gilda moved into the room and shut the door behind her, which sent alarms through Konstantin as there was no other exit. “I took care of the two Imperial Necromancers.” She sat heavily on a bench, a clear slash opening up on her apron, showing naked flesh. So, it was her blood that had stained it, but the wound was now healed.

Testily she said, “I did my part in this dragon shitstorm of a plan. Two Dukes, a High Mage, and five barons are dead. The strongest opponents to Octavian’s bid to take the throne are gone.” She exhaled, “For all my work, what did it get me? Knifed when I went to report to Antonia of my success.”

Konstantin allowed himself to relax even more. He had always admired Gilda's unwavering commitment to honesty, even if it was always a carefully curated version of the truth. “Then why are you still here? It has been two weeks,” he asked, genuinely curious about her continued presence.

“I assume, the same as you. I seek revenge. It's not just the necromancers I've been targeting these past two weeks. I'll do whatever it takes to frustrate that goblin-fucking bastard,” Gilda's smile took on a distinctly malicious edge, a stark contrast to her typically grandmotherly demeanor.

This woman always made Konstantin uncomfortable. Not only was she a master poisoner, but he knew she had spell forms that allowed her to move relatively unseen and unheard. He had not pieced out what spell forms, but knew they existed. Even Cornelius had been wary of this woman. How Antonia had tamed her was a mystery he was likely never to unravel.

Still, there was a chance at some information. “The Palace Archives?” Konstantin asked after the blood samples that were kept under the palace.

Gilda shrugged, “There was a fire. So, partially or completely destroyed. I don’t know or care. I was never part of the Archive. The three agents sent in, never came out after the fire.” Konstantin winced internally at that. He had helped train those three young men: Omar, Albertus, and Pellion. They were all intentionally failed out of Hound training many years ago and sought refuge in Antonia’s service as planned.

He began questioning why he was even here. If Antonia was dead, he should just run—but they would find out he was still alive after the Hound he was paired with did not report in. He began packing a small pack in earnest. “What are you planning, old man?”

He weighed telling her the truth, and if he approached this the right way, he might recruit her much-needed aid. “The Archives. I want to make sure there is nothing left.”

“You want to gain entrance to the Palace?” She tsked at him. “Foolish man, prune the branches like me if you want vengeance for the betrayal. A tree cannot grow if all the leaves are gone.”

“I don’t want vengeance. I want my freedom.” Damn, that was probably the wrong tact to appeal to her. Gilda didn’t say anything as Konstantin dug through the chaotic piles for supplies. How was he going to get into the Palace? It was unfamiliar terrain to him. He really wished he had his runic weapon instead of the steel gladius he now wore, but he would make do. Maybe he could liberate an upgrade. The Imperial Legionnaires had many fine runic blades among their number.

“You will never get in without someone competent holding your hand,” Gilda finally said flatly, and Konstantin he smiled to himself.

“I will manage unless you know someone dependable,” he shouldered his pack, ignoring her, and took a step toward the door. Gilda stood and blocked him, and he waited for the inevitable.

“The palace holds someone important to me,” she said with some false sincerity. He could tell she was looking for a reason to join him. At that moment, he gained a deeper understanding of the woman before him. She seemed to crave purpose, yearning to be guided and utilized like a tool. Had Antonia recognized this need and harnessed it? It was as if she was a weapon seeking a master. He had encountered soldiers and legionnaires with a similar trait. The problem lay in their tendency to act without empathy, a good trait for a poisoner, but not for someone you needed to rely on in a fight.

“Who do you need in the Palace?” Konstantin said, pulling the baited hook.

Gilda hesitated before replying. “The Imperial prison has been overflowing in recent days. There is someone I would like freed instead of beheaded,” she said calmly. That did not seem like this woman. Under her smiling demeanor was just cold shallowness.

“One of Antonia’s?” He asked, digging.

Gilda considered her next words before revealing, “No, a nephew of mine. He was in classes in the Palace.” She said it plainly, but that left Konstantin shocked. Only children and bastards of the First Citizens were educated on the Palace Grounds. Never would he have guessed the woman in front of him was from that stock. He briefly wondered which family she had been attached to.

Gilda continued with a fabricated smile, “So it is decided then?” Her face slowly morphed from an aged, overweight woman to a younger, leaner version of the same woman. Konstantin stepped back to her amusement. His hand drifted to his gladius. Shit, he thought, it wasn’t a silver or runic weapon. “Intimidated by a young woman, old man?” Gilda said, bemused at his angst.

She started stripping off her now oversized clothes and began searching through the piles for something to wear. As she worked, Konstantin couldn’t help but ask. “Which is your true body?”

This slightly younger version still had the same features, so it was likely a spell, but you could never be certain with shape changers. He guessed the spell she was using could only change her age and body shape. “A lady never tells,” Gilda said with a counterfeit smile.

“You are no lady,” Konstantin retorted. He had known her long enough to feel safe in saying that.

“Agreed,” Gilda said dismissively. She then removed her underclothes and dressed in the legionnaire clothes she had found in the mess. He noted this body appeared much fitter than the prior one. The problem Konstantin was grappling with was that when she was nearly naked, her body appeared too perfect. He needed her help now, but he would press a silver coin to her flesh if he had a chance.

They left together under Neptune’s Tear wanning glow. The shadows seemed to swallow Gilda as she moved, her footfalls nonexistent. Konstantin wore Hound boots that did the same for him, but her silence was clearly an aetheric working. They moved together like they had practiced together for a lifetime. Whenever a guard approached, the shadows seemed to shield Konstantin as well. It was a useful spell form, whatever it was.

Gilda was familiar with the city and quickly led them to the Mage College. They used the Chancellor’s secret access for entry. The College was disturbingly quiet as they moved to the courtyard. Two Imperial legionnaires guarded the entrance to the Palace Grounds. Gilda finally hesitated as they stood in the shadow of the walls.

“Is there a problem?” Konstantin asked in the softest whisper.

“I am trying to decide if killing them will be to our benefit or not,” she whispered back.

A mage in white robes approached the pair boldly. They were too far away to discern the words, but the conversation was very animated. The irate mage was eventually turned away, denied entrance. They slithered along the wall, approaching the guards, and Konstantin assumed she had decided to kill them. When they were within ten feet, a black hawk squawked and landed on a tree. Gilda slipped past the guards while their attention was diverted. Konstantin almost missed his chance to follow.

Inside the Palace grounds, they quickly moved away. “Not bad for an old man,” Gilda whispered as they moved toward the immense palace structure.

“You could have informed me of your intentions. What if I had attacked them?” He grumbled. He disliked not being the one in control.

Infiltrating the Palace was much easier than expected. The patrols were thin on the grounds, with most of the Imperial Legionnaires either dead or still in the field. The palace halls were also empty. Gilda was not appreciative of the numerous sconces holding glowstones in the wide hallways. Without shadows, it was challenging to remain unseen.

Fortunately, Gilda knew the palace well, and the pair descended into the bowels of the structure. “That went better than anticipated,” she finally rasped. “We only crossed three runes. Don’t look worried, old man. None of them were triggered.” A chill went up Konstantin’s spine. Was Gilda also a skilled mage?

“We will check the Archives first.” She turned and led them through a maze of passages. Konstantin fought to remember each turn and distance as they went. Just how many times had Gilda been in the palace to be this intimately familiar with it? Maybe she had been educated here as well.

The smell of soot and fire started to grow in his senses. Gilda slowed and peered around a corner before boldly walking out. Two large wooden doors were charred and hanging suspect on the hinges. The large room beyond was dark, and fumes in the air stung his eyes as they entered. “I will watch the door, do what you must.”

Konstantin produced his glowstone to reveal piles of charcoal, shattered glass reflecting the light, and outlines of fire-consumed bodies in blackened legionnaire armor, eleven bodies at his first count.

Whatever substance had burned everything had burned hot and fast, likely the smoke inhalation had killed the legionaries. In the distance, there were still rows of untouched shelves, and he walked quickly toward them. On reaching them, the bottles were coated in a thick layer of dust, topped with a fresh layer of soot. He continued to check more to confirm his suspicions. The newer samples had burned, and these older samples had not been touched. Unfortunately, only a simple catalog number was on each runic jar, and he didn’t have a reference.

He returned to the entry doors, pocketing his glowstone and half expecting Gilda to have left. Her voice came from the shadows, “Satisfied?”

“Never,” he shot back. “But we can look for your nephew now.”

Gilda tilted her head and cracked her neck. “The holding cells are at the opposite end of the palace. I expect there will be a greater number of sentries since there is actually something to guard there.” Konstantin decided she knew the palace far too well not to have lived there for a time.

They started moving again down the brightly lit subterranean corridors. The resounding sound of metal Imperial armor sounded around the corner. Gilda didn’t shy away and nodded to Konstantin, holding up one finger to denote one guard. He moved ahead of her. He listened and waited. At the right time, he stepped out, his gladius’ tip going right into the throat of the surprised legionnaire. He lunged, shifting the angle up into the brain.

He quickly grabbed the legionnaire as he fell so he wouldn’t bleed on the floor and pulled him away from the exposed corridor. Gilda checked to make sure no one noticed, and they pulled the body into a storeroom—no blood had stained the marble floor. Konstantin left his blade where it was and unbuckled the man’s sword belt. It was not a runic weapon, but it was better than what he was carrying. They were about to leave the room when two paired footfalls could be heard outside in the middle of a conversation.

“…he wants all the inventory checked against the books again. Thirty-nine artifacts are missing.”

“Someone probably escaped with them in the confusion.”

“We will probably have to question all the prisoners again for the Centurion.”

“Sergius should come down and check them himself. He spends most of his time eating and writing in his notebooks.” The footfalls faded away after.

“Don’t even think about it,” Gilda hissed. “We have another objective. After we free him, you can run off and confront Centurion Sergius on your own.”

He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised Sergius was here, as it was far from the fighting. It was much safer than the war front, and he probably wanted to review the Imperial Treasury before Duke Octavian was elevated to Emperor. His desire to confront Sergius warred within him, but he nodded to Gilda. They tailed far behind the two Imperials, heading in the same direction.

At one point, the pair stopped, turned around, and listened for a time before continuing. While Konstantin’s footfalls were silent, his armor and clothes were not. Fortunately, they did not come back to investigate. The two legionnaires eventually unlocked a large door and entered, closing it behind them.

“That must be the artifact repository,” Konstantin voiced softly aloud.

Gilda spoke, and the tension in the air was easy to feel. “It is, but there are two more guards inside, if not more. Are you capable of taking on four legionnaires without the benefit of surprise?” She quickly raised her hand, signaling for silence. “No, don't answer that. We still have a way to the cells.” Konstantin shrugged and followed.

The remainder of their journey was surprisingly uneventful as they encountered no further guards or palace staff. However, upon reaching the cells, they were taken aback to find that the security was lax here as well. A lone sleepy legionnaire and a pair of men in servant clothing stood by the entrance.

Gilda motioned Konstantin to remain as she walked out into the open. Her confident walk drew the eyes of the three watchers. “I was sent down to get your order for breakfast. Oats and buttered bread or hard-boiled eggs with biscuits and gravy?”

The legionnaire started to tense as something had given her away, and Gilda pounced. A dagger appeared in her hand, and she slashed the throat of one of the servants on her way by, causing a spray of blood across herself. The legionnaire was not slow and was drawing his blade, but he never completed the act as Gilda’s blade punched into his eye, and she rode him to the ground. The third man was running and screaming silently. Gilda caught him in four steps, tackling him.

She was weaponless and struggling to choke her victim. Konstantin rushed forward to assist, kicking the downed man in the head. Even though he was unconscious, Gilda turned his neck sharply, causing a pop. She must have released the silence spell form. She stood, searching the legionnaire for the keys. They both knew they didn’t have much time left before they were discovered.

The iron-banded door they had been guarding opened into a corridor lined with more iron-banded doors, each featuring a small barred window. Gilda began searching each one quickly. Konstantin peered into the first, discovering a half-dozen young boys in a miserable state. They were likely children of the First Citizens being held hostage, but apparently not the one Gilda was looking for.

He started checking the cells after Gilda had peered in. Each cell held no less than four people or children. Some were dressed in finery, others in undergarments, and others in legionnaire underclothes. The last group was probably legionnaires who could not be trusted in the transition of power. He didn’t recognize any faces, though. He paused to question one legionnaire, “Who are you?”

The five men looked up, fatigue evident in their eyes. “Legionnaires in service to Duke Vito.”

“Where is your Duke?” Konstantin asked, formulating a plan.

“Held in quarters above,” the eldest man said, standing. “Octavian needs his support for the throne.”

“Are you willing to rescue him?” Konstantin asked. The men immediately shifted and focused alertly on Konstantin. They had killed the guards silently, and none of the prisoners were aware of it. The eldest and apparent leader nodded but seemed suspicious. Konstantin worked his spell form to open the simple lock since Gilda had the keys. When it clicked, he slid the dead bolt aside and swung the door open cautiously.

Stepping back, he allowed the men into the corridor, and they seemed to think it was a trap until they saw the dead bodies outside the entry. They took one tentative step and then rushed to loot the bodies for weapons and rescue their Duke. He doubted that the men were familiar with the palace or that they would find their Duke, but any confusion was good confusion. If he could free more legionnaires, it could only help their escape.

Nine more legionnaires were freed, including two women. One of the women paused to ask Konstantin a question before leaving. “Is Duke Octavian or Centurion Sergius in the palace?”

By the vitriol in her voice, he knew why she was asking. Female legionnaires were rare, and he didn’t know many. “Do they hold your mage commander or First Citizen?” Konstantin asked her.

“They had her killed for her family’s silver mines,” the woman spat. Konstantin searched his memory; there were only two silver mines in the Empire. Barons manage both.

“The Grecos?” He guessed, as the other mine was far in the southern part of the Western Empire and probably under orc control by now. The Greco mine even produced some gold if he recalled. When he was with Castile’s company, they had cleared some kobolds from its depths.

“The Greco line is dead, and we are sentenced to the axe man. I would rather spend what remains of my life watching them bleed on the end of my spear.” The muscular woman had spirit and fiery eyes, and Konstantin liked that.

Her younger companion was cradling her arm. “What is wrong with her?”

She spoke for herself, her pale blue eyes locking with Konstantin’s, “My hand was severed and reattached but never healed properly. I still have one good arm and that is all I need.” She didn’t possess the same energy as the other woman, but any help was welcome.

“Only Sergius is in the palace. Once my companion finds her relation, we can search for him, as I wish his death as well,” Konstantin said, hoping they would wait for him. They were weaponless and only in underclothes, but trained legionnaires. They were anxious but hovered in the entryway to the cells, keeping watch.

It was still a time before Gilda returned with an unremarkable teenage boy behind her. They looked nothing alike. “Found what you were looking for?” Konstantin asked while studying the boy.

Gilda looked at the boy behind her, “I think so. It looks like him and answers to his name, but the last time I saw him was six years ago.” The boy looked terrified.

“What of the others in his cell?”

“I left them there,” Gilda said, non-plussed. Konstantin nodded, as that was probably the safest place for them.

“Are we good then?” Konstantin inquired if their joint endeavor was at an end.

“If you leave with us, I can get you out of the palace grounds safely,” Gilda offered.

Konstantin exhaled. “No. Sergius killed my friends and tried to kill me. It is time he paid, or for me to visit Pluto’s Realm.” Gilda shook her head, disappointed. Konstantin held out his hand to shake, she considered before extending her own. As their hands touched, she withdrew sharply. “Thought so,” Konstantin muttered. “Be safe, Gilda,” he turned his back on her and put the silver coin he had palmed into his pocket. It appeared Antonia had collected a shape changer to her service.

Reaching the entryway, he collected the two legionnaires. Without a guide, they were exploring blindly, but Konstantin led them back toward the Artifact Repository. On the way, they encountered one of the freed prisoners and two Imperial legionnaires twisted together in bloody death. Weapons and some armor pieces had been stripped, but the women still procured greaves and daggers for themselves. Konstantin waited while they worked on fitting the straps for the leg guards. The blood pools from the bodies continued to grow, indicating the fight was very recent.

“Why are you two still alive?” He asked the pair, curious.

“We were captured in the city of Loule. We were portaled here a week ago to be questioned by the Truthseekers. That happened four days ago. They just haven’t gotten around to removing our heads since the last two headsmen died in their sleep,” the old woman barked with a dark laugh. Konstantin grunted, assuming it was Gilda’s work.

He knelt to help the woman with the limp hand who was frustrated with the straps holding the metal greaves, “Lose your hand defending your mistress?” Almost all female legionnaires ended up guarding a First Citizen woman.

“A cursed Hound took it before killing Selene Greco. He tormented me by reattaching it to highlight my failure,” she said angrily. As he finished with the greaves, she introduced herself. “My name is Sylvia, but my friends call me Sylph.”

Konstantin nodded at the introduction but didn’t give his name. He also needed clarification. “A Hound left you alive? Count yourself blessed by Fortuna’s kiss, then. Their orders are always to leave no witnesses.”

“He knew Helena,” the younger jested at her partner.

Helena spoke. “He left us alive and with enough coin to flee. We got recognized in Loule when we tried to get Sylph’s hand healed.” Konstantin frowned at the pair’s ineptness. It was not difficult to remain unobserved.

“Which Hound pack left you alive?” He was actually doubting their story now. Left alive and with coin? Not even some of the sentimental Hounds he knew would do that.

The older woman sensed his doubt and told him the truth. “It was just one. No Hound hunting pack, and he took most of the wealth Selene had packed. His name was Eryk. We were in legionnaire training together, and I kept his head above water.”

Konstantin couldn’t help but laugh, putting the two on guard. “Ok, that I can believe. Eryk would be foolish enough to do that.”

The one named Helena asked with some aggressive anticipation, “Then he still lives?”

With a tired voice, Konstantin informed them, “If you seek vengeance against him, then I am sorry. He dines with Pluto already.” The two women looked at each other, and unspoken words passed between them. “His blood is also on Sergius' hands, and I look to repay it.”

The three didn’t speak further as they moved deeper into the complex. As they approached the Artifact Depository, Konstantin said, “The Imperial Residence should be above us. That is most likely where we will find Centurion Sergius guarded by the loyal Imperial legionaries. If you flee now, there is still a chance you may escape.”

Helena just walked past Konstantin, taking the stairs up. Sylvia followed, shrugging. Echoes of fighting could be heard when they reached a black and white marble hallway at the top. The dozen other men Konstantin freed would be dealt with before long. Even now, a warning chime was echoing in the halls.

The problem was he needed to figure out where to search, and the element of surprise was gone. Helena tried a nearby door and, finding it locked, shouldered it open. The loud snapping of wood echoed through the hall as the three entered the room.

A dim glowstone lit the room. By the furnishings, it was one of the many sitting rooms in the palace. Helena was marching to the far wall where several ornamental weapons were on display. They looked exotic, and she took down a polearm, an infantry glaive. She tested the shaft before nodding to herself. Sylph helped herself to a scimitar with a gold pommel decorated with sapphires. She checked the blade before nodding, and Konstantin assumed the weapons were gifts to Emperors over the ages. This would not be the only such display room in the palace.

Now better armed, they returned to the hallway. It appeared they were a distance from the conflict, and Konstantin knew they were on borrowed time. He paused at a door that had strong light emitting underneath the door. It was also locked, and Helena was about to brute it open when Konstantin held up his hand. He was desperately low on aether but was familiar with the style of lock. A push of the aether, and the door released, swinging free. He stepped in to see an array of servants huddled on the far side of the room, all petrified.

Konstantin couldn’t believe his luck. Helena was prepared to leave, disgusted. “Where is Centurion Sergius?” Konstantin bellowed authoritatively. No one answered, so he tried a threat: “If one of you would bring us to Centurion Sergius, you all can live.”

“Are you going to kill him?” A meek young woman asked from the back of the group. There was a thread of hope in her voice, and Konstantin knew he had found a guide.

It was not long before the three followed the woman through the servant’s passages, upstairs and down unused hallways. The girl was practically running, fearing one of the others would send a warning or an Imperial Legionnaire would intercept them. She abruptly stopped, out of breath. “A left here and the doorway at the end of the corridor is the Supreme Chancellor’s Chamber. He has been staying there, but I do not know if he is there now. There are usually two legionnaires standing guard.”

“Is there anywhere else he might be?” Konstantin pressed. The young servant’s eyes were a bit wild with fear as she shook her head. “Go hide, and don’t come out for a long time.”

Konstantin looked at his two companions and nodded. He peeked and saw a legionnaire and Hound standing guard, and they noticed him, too. The Hound turned and entered the room, leaving the legionnaire alone. Konstantin didn’t hesitate and charged. Helena was on his left, and Sylph was on his right, but much slower. The legionnaire braced his body shield on the ground and readied his blade. The man was a fool.

With momentum, Konstantin ran full force into the man’s shield. Their blades rebounded off each other, and then Konstantin’s body weight hit the shield, forcing him back into the door. With his shield pinning him, Helena’s glaive had an unobstructed path to the man’s face. He managed to turn his head in time so that the glaive skidded off the helm and into the door. But now he was facing the other direction, and Sylph’s blade finished him.

Konstantin got a spurt of blood on his face as she extracted the scimitar. Konstantin pushed the body again and went for the door. It wasn’t locked, and he pulled it open, expecting to have to roll away, but no attack came.

The ornate entry room walls were filled with paintings. A movement to his right caused him to dodge in that direction. He recognized the Hound, Hercule, one of Sergius’ trusted seconds. A foul man if there ever was one. Konstantin heard rumors he tortured and raped his victims when sent on assassination missions. He would be doing the Empire a service by removing him.

The door behind him swung open, revealing their target. The pudgy Centurion Sergius stood ready with a runic shield and blade. Recognition and surprise flickered across his features. “Konstantin! You should have stayed under whatever rock you were hiding under.” His eyes drifted to the barely armored woman beside him as the Centurion assessed his odds.

Sergius flexed his grip on the sword, and Konstantin doubted he practiced much anymore. He had consumed his share of essences in his time, but you still needed to practice regularly for the muscle memory to come naturally. Realizing who the women were, Sergius spat. “So, you were responsible for the prisoners escaping. It won’t matter; they are probably all dead by now.”

“As you will be shortly,” Konstantin grinned maliciously.

In a more placating tone, Sergius replied, “I am sure Octavian can find a place for you. Perhaps you want to take command of the Western Hounds?”

The hollow offer was met with Konstantin sprinting forward. Hercule moved to intercept him but was engaged with Helena’s glaive, giving him room to circle and engage Sergius. Konstantin’s sword rang off the shield, his arm instantly going numb. He backpedaled furiously to avoid the swing of Sergius’ blade.

He switched his blade to his other hand and cursed. Of course, Sergius would be wielding artifacts from the repository. If he lost use of his other hand, he was dead. At least the two legionnaires were keeping Hercule occupied. He circled Sergius, one arm almost useless from the spell rebound on the shield.

The dungeon-forged blade Sergius wielded was likely special too. Konstantin knew he was not going to win this fight. After a full circle, he turned and dove at Hercule’s back, targeting the hamstring. Sergius rushed to intervene, but it was too late. Konstantin didn’t do much damage, but even a minor injury to a hamstring in a fight could tilt the odds. Sylph and Helena pressed the advantage while Konstantin threw his sword at the charging Sergius.

The sword bounced violently off his shield, shattering on impact with the wall. So, the shield worked more than once. Konstantin drew a knife and took a defensive stance. Hercule screamed and then gurgled, but Konstantin’s eyes were locked on Sergius. The scrape of boots told Konstantin the women were circling wide, and Sergius was backing up probably wishing he had kept more men to guard his chamber.

He chanced a glance at his companions. Sylph was bleeding from a long cut on her bad arm, and Helena had a minor slash above her knee and handed him Hercule’s sword. Together, they encircled the sweating Sergius. “Do you want the treasury? Thousands of gold coins? Or maybe all the artifacts you can carry?”

He backed toward the room he had exited. Konstantin circled and blocked his escape. Feeling began to return to his numb arm, so maybe he hadn’t lost it after all. This day just kept getting better.

Sergius tried to convince Helena or Sylph to turn on him, but the words were dead on being uttered. Konstantin pressed Sergius, giving Helena an opening with her glaive’s long reach. They discovered the dungeon-forged blade sent an arc of lightning from the blade on landing a strike. The crack of thunder forced Helena to drop her weapon as her hands smoked, and she was momentarily stunned.

They shielded Helena while she recovered. Sergius became panicked and tried to break the encirclement, but couldn’t without exposing himself. It was Konstantin who got the first blow on Sergius’ shoulder, causing an aether shield to flare. This also gave Sergius a chance to rush the exit.

Gilda was just outside the door in servant clothes and in her plump older body. Sergius didn’t think the fat old woman was a threat and never saw the blow coming. A stiletto pierced his eye and grasped at it momentarily before his brain realized he was dead. Seeing Sergius dead, she gave a satisfied nod to Konstantin.

“You came back for me?” Konstantin asked in surprise.

“My relation is free of the palace, and I thought I would check on you. I can help you out of the palace if you wish, but the sun is coming, so we need to move soon,” she offered with a practiced matronly smile. Konstantin considered the offer before nodding.

Konstantin quickly searched Sergius' body, taking the small coin pouch and handing healing potions to each woman. He pocketed two others for himself. Sylph picked up the runic shield and inspected it. “You need to be able to control your aether to use that,” Konstantin advised.

“I can charge a glowstone,” Sylph rebuked, and Konstantin shrugged. He had already sheathed the dungeon-forged blade on his hip as his prize.

In the inner room of the chambers, there was a study, and a number of large artifacts lay on the table. All were too big to carry, but he recognized one. The bronze kettle of souls rested apart from them, innocuous on a shelf of books. If he were going to take anything, it would be this to prevent Octavian from looting Caelora. It had many dents from their exploration in the city and the Shimmering Labyrinth. Dozens of books were laid open, some were texts, and some were message-sending books for Sergius’ Hounds. He still didn’t know the cipher and didn’t care to carry them out of the palace.

He addressed the women. “Take whatever you want, but we should leave the grounds before sunrise. Our guide outside is anxious. Where do you plan to go?” Konstantin asked offhandedly as they prepared to leave the Chancellor’s Chambers.

The women looked at each other, and Helena spoke, “When we got captured, we were on our way to Tegairosia. But Eryk said Gramney in the Grand Duchy of Manch was nice this time of year.”

Konstantin paused in thought and murmured to himself, “Did he now.”

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