Empyrion II: The Siege of Dome Read Online Free PDF

Tvrdy wanted to be away from this stinking place, but his opinion of his squat companion was changing. Giloon Bogney might well be crazy—probably was—but his madness bore a wide streak of stubborn self-interest that, under the proper circumstances, Tvrdy recognized as extremely useful. So, the Director sat in the ruined hovel, permitting himself to be alternately offended and insulted by the Dhog's presence and broad insinuations.,
    “You don't know me,” replied Tvrdy, “if you think I would turn my back on any who gave aid when I asked. Saecaraz and Nilokerus may forget any service when it suits them—”
    “But they be remembering any crime!”
    “Yes, that's true. But the Tanais are not like that. We live by our word.”
    “When you getting fat on it.”
    “Watch your tongue! We make sure the terms are right before we make a deal. We never have to go back on our word—unless, of course, the other party attempts treachery.”
    Giloon chuckled, an ugly sound, full of malicious glee. “Giloon being a Director then, because Dhogs doing what Giloon says.” He snatched up a skewer and thrust it at Tvrdy, who took the unwholesome thing and looked for a place to throw it. “Dhogs helping you, Tanais. Giloon giving his word, seh?” He tore off a scrap of meat, raised it in salute, and flipped it into his mouth.
    Tvrdy followed his host's example and swallowed the meat without chewing. “I will send men to you—Rumon and Tanais, perhaps Hyrgo too. They will train those among you who are fit enough to fight.”
    “Dhogs not needing your training.”
    “We will face Invisibles armed with thermal weapons. You will be trained.”
    Giloon begrudged him the point with a grunt. Tvrdy continued, “You will give these men any aid, supplies, or information they require. Hold nothing back. If we fail, Old Section will not become a Hage and you will not become a Director.”
    “What we having, you having.” Giloon spat on the table.
    “My men will bring supplies with them which they will share with you—as they see fit. You must keep your people organized. There is to be no trouble between us. This is of the highest importance.”
    “You think Dhogs needing your aid, your training, your supplies? You throw us out of Hage, our names being erased; you taking away our life and thinking to starve us. If you be finding us in Hage, you kill us. Ah, but Dhogs live! We go down into the pits, we taking what you throwing away, use it. We living a long time this way, and we being still alive to roll your bones, Tanais.”
    Tvrdy put the skewer down on the table and leaned forward, his face hard, his tone steel. “Listen to me! You call yourself a leader—act like one. If you do not control your people, you will be of no use to us. If we do not have help, we will fail. And then how long do you think you will be allowed to live?”
    Before Giloon could answer, Tvrdy went on, “When Jamrog is finished with us, he will turn on you. Rohee tolerated the Dhogs because you were useful to him: those who displeased him, he made nonbeings and sent to you. He used you as a threat to enforce his will. Jamrog is not like Rohee. Jamrog lives only to destroy. He will see the Old Section razed and the Dhogs slaughtered. I know him; that is his plan. Your head is full of night soil if you think to survive the Purge.”
    Giloon had sunk into a sulky silence. He fixed Tvrdy with a murderous glare and said nothing.
    “You don't like what I've said, but you know the truth when you hear it, seh?” Tvrdy sat back, folded his arms across his chest, and returned Giloon's stare boldly.
    The silence spread between them, but Tvrdy let his words sink in. Giloon frowned and fingered the bhuj's blade in his lap. When at last he spoke, his voice was a hissing whisper. “Giloon maybe kill you, Tanais.”
    “You'd kill your only friend for speaking the truth? Then you have much to learn before you ever become a Director.”
    Giloon sniffed, picked up the