Day Six. Midnight.

I made it safely away from the Howler camp without being detected.

While I made my way back to the wolves, my mind picked at the unexpected turn of events. That Stayne and Talon had been talking worried me. Would they compare stories and uncover the web of lies I had woven? And if so, could I expect imminent pursuit? Damnation! Hurrying my steps, I raced to rejoin my waiting companions.

A hostile entity has detected you! You are no longer hidden.

I stilled.

Standing not three yards away was captain Talon.

How in hells did he get ahead of me? I checked my mindsight, but it was empty. So not only had Talon somehow teleported himself directly to my location, he was shielded from detection too.

“I should kill you,” the envoy said conversationally.

My gaze flitted over the surrounding foliage, but I spotted no one else. The captain was alone. Despite this, with his hands folded behind his back, he appeared completely at ease.

I eyed the sheathed blade at Talon’s side. “And why is that?” I asked casually.

“Still playing games?” Talon remarked. “It’s no use. The shaman told me everything.”

Ah. “So you know,” I said, deliberately relaxing my own stance. If it came to a fight, I doubted I would survive long.

“I do,” Talon said evenly. “I know it was you who told Hyek to attack the Red Rats. And I suspect too that it was you who convinced the Red Rats to march on the Howlers.”

I said nothing, not denying the accusation.

“Why did you do it?” Talon asked.

“I told you, I play my own game.”

The captain nodded. “You did,” he agreed.

Talon shifted. One moment he was standing calm and relaxed. The next, he was inches from my face holding a bare blade to my throat.

My eyes widened. I had not even seen the captain move. Damn, I thought. I’m even more outmatched than I suspected.

“Are you Light’s lackey?” Talon whispered.

I blinked. “Of course not! That’s preposterous. What would make you think that?”

For a drawn-out moment, Talon said nothing. “Is what’s been done at the fort your doing too?” he asked, ignoring my own question.

I frowned. “The fort? You mean the killings in the barracks? I already told you I did that.”

“Not that.”

I stared at him blankly. “Then what?”

He didn’t answer.

“What’s happened, captain?” I tried again.

Once more, Talon paid my words no heed. “Do you know who the Light spy in the sector is?”

I kept my face smooth, betraying no reaction. Talon’s phrasing made clear that he knew there was a spy. How had he figured that out? Was it something to do with what had happened in the fort? And what could that bloody be?

“It’s not me if that’s what you’re thinking,” I said after a heartbeat.

Talon studied my face intently, then drew back, sheathing his sword in the same motion. “If you aren’t a soldier of Light, why did you manipulate the goblins? Of what benefit is a war between them to you?”

I exhaled a relieved breath at Talon’s withdrawal and laid a tentative hand on my throat. The skin was whole and unbroken. I turned back to the captain. “The war was not of my making.”

Talon’s face hardened, but before he could speak, I held up my hand for patience. “I didn’t lie to you about the Red Rats. They were ordered by Erebus to raid the Howler patrols. And if the shaman really has told you everything, then you know the Howlers had the same orders from Ishita. This war is the Awakened Dead’s doing, not mine.”

“That may be true,” Talon said, “but it is you who forced the two tribes into a pitched battle, and you still haven’t told me why.”

“Because having them war with each other served my own ends.” I sighed. “You want the truth, captain? The truth is I don’t want this sector to fall to the Dark.” I held his gaze. “Be it into the Awakened Dead’s hands or yours.”

“And why is that,” Talon asked softly.

“I don’t trust Erebus,” I said bluntly, then stared unflinchingly into the captain’s eyes again. “Or his allies.”

“Tartar is nothing like Erebus,” the captain said, his own voice harsh. “And our alliance with the Awakened Dead is one of convenience. I told you—”

“No offense, captain,” I said, interrupting him, “but in my short time in the Game, I’ve had more than my fair share of run-ins with the Powers, and nothing I’ve experienced would make me put my faith in any of them. They are all untrustworthy.”

Talon stared at me for a second. “I can see that you truly believe that.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “And sadly, I can’t say I blame you, Michael. I’ve received reports of Erebus’ treatment of his so-called candidates. What goes on in that dungeon of his...” The captain shook his head in disgust. “It’s unforgivable.”

“Then you understand,” I said.

“I do,” he said heavily. For a moment, the captain said nothing more, then one side of his mouth twisted upwards. “And besides, matters in the sector have turned out better than I could have hoped for.”

I couldn’t help a start of surprise at that.

Talon chuckled at my expression. “I have proof of Erebus’ treachery,” he said, ticking off points on his fingers. “I have secured the alliance of one of the largest goblin tribes for the god-emperor, and most importantly—” his face widened into a genuine smile—“the Tartan legions can now move openly against the Awakened Dead. And for all that I’ve you to thank.”

“So you’re not angry then?” I quipped.

“Oh, I’m angry. Both at your betrayal and your manipulations,” the captain said, his eyes taking on a dangerous hue. He paused, letting the moment draw out.

A bead of sweat dripped down my brow. I ignored it. Damn, am I going to die here after all?

“But I won’t kill you,” Talon finished finally. “In the end, you’ve served Tartar just as well as if you had done what I’d asked.”

I nodded slowly, if a bit uncertainly. Despite all my machinations, it did seem like I’d only furthered the god-emperor’s own ends. Had everything I’d done been for nothing?

No. The captain may have gotten what he wanted, but so had I. There were just two things left undone.

I snuck a glance at the captain. The ominous gleam had faded from his eyes, and he was smiling again. Seeing that, I questioned him on a matter that had been troubling me. “What is Stayne doing here?”

Talon pursed his lips as he considered whether to answer me or not. “He came to broker a truce between the tribes.”

My eyebrows lifted at that.

“Shaman Hyek and I refused.”

I chuckled, imagining how well Stayne had taken the news. “What will happen now?” I asked.

“War. War will happen,” Talon said with obvious relish. “Tomorrow, the Red Rats and Stayne shall feel the wrath of the Tartan legions, and by week’s end, I expect this sector will be free of the Awakened Dead’s scourge.”

“Now, that is an outcome I can live with,” I said with a smile of my own. “Does Stayne know of my involvement?” I asked, wondering if I could expect a bigger bounty to be placed on me.

Talon shook his head. “He doesn’t. Nor will he learn the truth from me.”

I inclined my head. The captain was doing me more favors than I had any right to expect. “Why?” I asked.

Without being told, the captain seemed to understand the thrust of my question. “There is something about you, Michael… I believe you will survive your current vendetta with the Awakened Dead. One day, I suspect, you will be a great player, and when that day comes, I hope to make better use of you.”

“So what? I’m an investment?” I joked.

“Yes,” Talon said bluntly. “When that day comes, I expect you to remember this moment.” Reaching into his pocket, the captain pulled out something and tossed it at me. I caught it automatically.

Glancing down, I studied the object in my hand and saw that it was a coin stamped with the symbol of the Tartan legion.

You have acquired a token of Tartar.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“It is a token of goodwill from the legions and the next best thing to bearing a Mark of Tartar,” Talon said. “Show it to any of the legions anywhere in the Forever Kingdom, and it will earn you a hearing at least from their commander.”

“Thank you,” I said gravely.

“You best be gone then,” Talon said. “I have a war to oversee.”

“Goodbye, Talon,” I said and turned around.

“Oh, and Michael, one more thing,” the captain said.

At his words, I paused in my step and glanced over my shoulder. “Yes?”

Talon held my gaze. “A final word of warning. If I see you again in this sector, I will kill you—without hesitation and without warning. Understood?”

“Message received, captain,” I murmured as I disappeared into the trees. “Message received.”