Rise and Fall by Joshua P. Simon

the trench. He told Yanasi to have Cassus and Krytien join him in the command tent.
    * * *
    Glacar had been cursing under his breath for almost an hour. Kroke knew that was a record somewhere. He sure couldn’t imagine spending that much time talking, especially repeating the same four or five words. After an hour of hearing Glacar go on and on, he reckoned it was about time he at least asked what bothered him.
    Kroke threw his spade into the dirt and pulled out a dirk. He began picking at his nails, noticing a few specks of grime that had accumulated. “You gonna keep that up the whole day, Glacar?”
    The wild man from Thurum turned around, sweat soaked his hair and beard. He spat, most of it dribbling down into the thick tangled mess on his chin. “What are you jawing about?”
    “You ain’t shut up since we moved to this part of camp. What’s got you all worked up?”
    “Not what. Who.”
    “Huh?”
    “Jonrell’s lost it, Kroke. Sticking our necks out for these brown devils ain’t what the Hell Patrol’s about. And yet, we’ve been dragging them around for weeks. On top of that we’re going to buy them passage home. That’s money that could be in our pocket.”
    “You ain’t seemed to mind them Byzernians when they were Melchizan’s. I believe you visited a few of their women pretty regularly?”
    “Yeah, that’s about all they’re good for, too. But now, they act like they’re suddenly too good for that.”
    “And there it is,” said Kroke, clicking his tongue. “Since they ain’t slaves any longer, they won’t let you have your fun anymore.”
    Glacar spat. “Ain’t no woman gonna tell me what I can or can’t do. Especially not any of them brown-skinned dogs.”
    “But Jonrell did, didn’t he?”
    “You know he’s always been too soft. That background of his and his high and mighty standards.”
    “Ain’t nothing soft about showing some respect to women.”
    “That’s funny coming from a killer like you.”
    Kroke shrugged.“Killing and raping ain’t really the same thing.”
    Glacar laughed. “Sure they are. They both get your heart racing and when I’m done, I’m the only one who’s happy.”
    Glacar went back to shoveling. Kroke sheathed the blade and followed suit. And that’s why you ain’t the one leading us.
    * * *
    Jonrell had just enough time to splash some cool water on his face and neck, washing off the day’s grime, when the two men strolled into his tent, looking ragged. Jonrell took a sip of tea and gestured for them to have a seat. “I was beginning to grow worried.”
    “No doubt,” said Krytien easing into a chair. “You’ve got a stronger camp here than I’ve seen in some time.”
    Jonrell shrugged. “Better safe than sorry. Was there any trouble? I expected you a day ago.”
    “Some, but nothing major. We scared off a few men looking to rob us as we left the city. Cassus thought it best to take a different route back. We covered our tracks in case they returned with more.”
    “Good. Do we have ships secured?”
    “Two. One for us and one for the Byzernians. The ships are owned by the same man. The price is reasonable and best of all he’ll organize the sale to pay for the ships after inspecting the goods we hauled with us.”
    Jonrell looked over at Cassus who had yet to sit down. “What kind of shape are the ships in?”
    Krytien answered though Jonrell had directed the question at Cassus. “Although they’re traders, both ships are strong and in fair enough shape.” The old mage glanced nervously about. “Given that we may have to improvise in open water if pirates attack, we spoke with the captains as well. Both are well-seasoned men.”
    “Can we trust them?” asked Jonrell, as he watched Cassus pace the room.
    The old mage gave a tense chuckle and fidgeted in his seat. “I learned a long time ago not to trust anyone, Jonrell. You know that.”
    Cassus’s face held a far-away stare. The commander set his cup down. “Cassus, you