The Black God's War Read Online Free PDF Page B

no faith at all.” He walked to Caio and held up his son’s red and black hands. “These are the hands of a Haizzem. The gods promise us you will succeed where I have not.”
    “Pawelon is a worthy foe.”
    Vieri dropped Caio’s hands and intensified his stare. “They shouldn’t be. Pawelon is where your legacy begins.”
    “And where yours will continue,” Caio said.
    The king kept his eyes on his son. “Ilario, you know Caio so much better than I. Do you truly feel he is ready for this glory?”
    “Our Haizzem will not disappoint you, my King. He amazes me more every day. He will surely make you proud.”
    “I am sure of it, too.” Vieri turned his eyes to Ilario. “Thank you again for being like a brother to him while I was at war. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
    “Of course. It has always been the highest honor and a joy.”
    The king stepped to Ilario and they grabbed each other’s forearms. “I chose well. You were the right man. Never hesitate to ask me for anything you need.”
    “You honor me again. I will never be able to thank you enough for all you’ve given me.”
    “Do this for me, then. Make sure my son is ready for this war. My legacy depends on it.”

 
    Chapter 5: The Furies
     
     
    The day after the Dux Spiritus ceremony.
     
    EXHAUSTED FROM THE DAY’S CARNAGE, Lucia wrapped herself in white sheets and prayed to the goddess Ysa before resigning herself to another unbearable night. After a long, somber quiet she was not yet aware the cloth had become soaked in red; she would need time to understand why.

    As Lucia lay in sheer darkness, the voice of the god Danato rumbled all around her: “Don’t you hear me, my daughter?”
    Why do you even ask?
    “Why do you not answer your Lord?”
    Because you’ve invaded my bed and my dreams? Damn you for making me feel ill again!
    “Only one god dwells in the dark. Do you believe I wished to be him?”
    More gods-damned theology.
    “I did not. I chose the lot I had to choose. This is the nature of free will, for both gods and men. Choosing and wishing are not the same. Soon you and your brother will know this, too.”
    How long can a narcissistic god talk to himself?
    “If none of us had chosen to live in the underworld, you would have no gods or goddesses. My sister Ysa could not exist without me. Remember, you are called to worship us all.”
    And I neither wished for that, nor chose it.
    “We chose Rezzia and made your people special. We gave you religion and noble purpose. We watch over you. Yet you reject me, Lucia.”
    You traumatized an innocent girl and want to be worshiped? Perhaps it’s forgiveness you’re after? I still remember the sensation of my own flesh burning, even though it was only a dream.
    “The truth is that I love you, now and forever. Sleep deeper, my daughter. Sleep deeper.”
    Lucia awoke to eerie sunlight shining through the canopy of her royal yurt, and was appalled to find a crowd waiting for her. Ten Rezzian guards stood in their cream tunics, with their backs turned to her bed. With their identical wide belts and sheathed swords, it was impossible to tell them apart.
    She bolted upright and tightened her robe. “What is this?” As she ran her fingers through her long hair, she found all of it soaked with sweat. A rotten, sweet odor filled the air.
    The guards moved to either side of the yurt, giving her a view of a tattered family of four—more sufferers of the new plague. They sat with their legs folded and stared down shamefully at the palatial rug. The little boy and girl leaned against their mother, their bare feet twitching.
    “We couldn’t leave them outside,” a soldier said.
    The father lifted his head slightly, but kept his gaze downward. “Your Grace, we are dying. We need a miracle from our Haizzem. Can you grant us the gods’ mercy? At least heal our children, if nothing more. Please!”
    “He will be here soon. My brother will surely heal you.” Lucia stood up and