Storm and Steel Read Online Free PDF

interruption. I have been searching for you.”
    Ubar nodded to Horace. “I will see you later, Inganaz .”
    â€œTomorrow?” Horace asked. “At the third bell?”
    â€œVery good.”
    They clasped forearms, and then Lord Ubar went inside.
    Mezim handed Horace a bundle of flattened scrolls. “I have some dispatches from the city. As well as a petition from the royal armory requesting that your lordship approve the purchase of five tons of—”
    Horace hadn't been listening. “What do you know about Omikur? It's an outpost town—”
    â€œSixteen leagues northwest of Erugash on the fringe of the Iron Desert,” Mezim finished for him. “ Ai, Belum. I am familiar with the location. I assume you are referring to the recent attack on said town?”
    â€œWhat do you know about it?”
    â€œNothing was mentioned in today's reports. Shall I request a detailed update from Lord Dipatusu?”
    â€œNo, don't bother the High General.”
    â€œAs you wish.”
    Horace entered the villa, and a chill touched him as he entered the huge house. The queen's villa covered a parcel of land the size of a city block with numerous abutting outbuildings.
    â€œHer Majesty seems well pleased by the recent developments in the war effort,” Mezim said, following behind him.
    Yes. She would be.
    Horace stopped in the middle of a broad corridor, flanked on both sides by caryatids of nude women. He wondered if this could be his opportunity to build a bridge between Akeshia and the West now that the invasion had been blunted. Both sides might be willing to come to the bargaining table, but he needed a lever, something to convince the queen of his good intentions.
    Mezim juggled the documents in his arms until he came up with a particular scroll. “Your inquiry of Omikur reminds me. I have information about that other matter.”
    â€œHmmm? Are you talking about Jirom?”
    The first assignment he gave to Mezim when he hired him was to track down Jirom's whereabouts. They'd been able to confirm that Jirom was pressed into the royal military training camp, but the trail went cold after that. No one in the queen's court was able, or willing, to share the information. Horacehad been told by various officials that the legions did not keep records for dog soldiers, the derogatory term they used for slaves drafted into the royal army, but he hadn't believed it for a minute. He'd seen firsthand how meticulous the Akeshians were about recording everything, from the most menial things like shopping lists and street repairs. Somewhere Jirom's name was on a list, and he intended to find it.
    Horace didn't like how Mezim had prefaced his remark. “Don't tell me…”
    â€œI have confirmation that a slave by that name was transferred to Omikur a little more than three months ago.”
    That would have been right before the Tammuris.
    â€œForgive me, Belum ,” Mezim said. “But I have found nothing after that point. The siege appears to have been a rather messy affair, with many dead and missing on both sides. The commanders of the Third Legion report they have no soldier named Jirom among their surviving forces. I'm afraid I must conclude that this man likely died in battle.”
    â€œNo.” Horace started walking again at a swift clip. “I do not accept that finding, Mezim. Keep digging. I want to know for sure. We will not give up until someone produces a body. Do you understand?”
    â€œI will redouble my efforts.”
    â€œGood. What about the Chapter House attack?”
    They'd heard about the killings at the fortress-temple of the Order of the Crimson Flame just a few days ago. Details had been sketchy, so Horace had ordered Mezim to find out what he could.
    â€œI'm sorry to say the latest reports don't convey much more than before. The soldiers surrounding the House have testified they heard noises coming from inside. Screaming and