Rise and Fall (73 page)
They all tried to do the right thing. I failed them.
More disheartening than his failure was the lone brown-skinned Byzernian atop the bodies—the old man who had trusted Cassus with his grandchildren. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over him. The relief that the old man would not know Cassus had failed him was replaced with a rising anger that had started with Melchizan.
Increasing warmth spread across his body, making his skin itch, as he stared into the sad eyes of the Byzernians watching him trek through their village.
They are just as responsible for the deaths of my crew as Melchizan’s guards. If they had stood up for themselves and fought with us, we would have won. But no, it is against their ways to harm anyone.
He spat.
Let them have their rickety homes and fearful nights. They deserve slavery. I’ve given up too much for them.
He wanted to shout curses at them for their cowardice, but stopped himself.
I knew their beliefs but still risked my life and the lives of my men anyway. I thought I could change them. I thought that by helping them, they would learn to stand up for themselves. I thought I could make a difference. The deaths today are my fault.
I never should have left the Hell Patrol.
Cassus ignored the remaining stares, and trudged on. They led him toward the coast where a massive ship with triple sails and three decks of oars sat in a small bay. A slew of Byzernians loaded provisions into longboats waiting on shore. Cassus failed to pay attention to his steps as he marveled at the ship’s size, and pitched forward. He slammed face first into the ground.
A Byzernian quickly came to his aid, and put a hand on his face. “Are you alright?”
The man had a much harder look than many of the Byzernians Cassus had seen before. Before Cassus could answer the question, one of Melchizan’s guards knocked the Byzernian against the head with the hilt of a sword. The slave fell backward.
“Get back to your work and remember your place,” the guard snapped.
The guard pulled Cassus to his feet, and shoved him forward. He pointed toward one of the longboats. “Get in.”
Cassus obeyed, but before he sat, he noticed the eyes of the Byzernian who had tried to help him. They held something Cassus had never seen before in their race—defiance.
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Excerpt of Walk Through Fire - A Blood and Tears Prequel Novella