Page 146 of The Infernal Battalion

“But you’re willing to bet your life on this anyway,” Raesinia said. “All our lives, maybe. The kingdom.”

Marcus was silent.

“Tell me one thing,” Raesinia said. “Janus is your friend. I know it’s hard for you to think he would turn on us. Tell me this isn’t just what you want to believe.”

“It’s not that,” Marcus said firmly. “It’s not only that, at least. I believe there’s more going on than we understand.” He paused. “And when it comes down to it, I suppose I do trust Janus. Even when he’s on the other side.”

“I’m going to need you to explain exactly where that conviction comes from at some point,” Raesinia said. “But if you’re certain, then I’ll back you. I can come up with plenty of other reasons we need to fight at Vordan City.”

“Thank you,” Marcus said. He hesitated for a moment. “And... thank you for what you did in Borel. For coming to rescue me. And for not giving up.”

Raesinia kissed him again. Duke Dorsay can wait.

*

By the time evening fell, the Prudence had been dispatched for Vordan City with messages for the Deputies and the garrison, and Duke Dorsay and his captains were making preparations for the fleet to leave in the morning. The duke hadn’t been happy about Raesinia’s choice to side with Marcus, but he’d seemed to expect it. Maybe he knows more than he’s letting on.

Once the strategy session had broken up, Raesinia gathered what she thought of as the conspiracy, everyone who knew that magic was real. With Winter gone and Sothe missing, this amounted to herself, Marcus, Cora, and Cyte, whom Marcus introduced as his second in command. Raesinia watched the captain with interest. She remembered Cyte, vaguely, as one of the student radicals who’d been there the night they stormed the Vendre. But that memory was of an anxious, insecure girl, inclined toward melodrama and heavy eyeshadow, and nothing at all like the calm, professional soldier before her now.

Marcus and Cyte went through what they’d discovered, their visit to Mieranhal and the nature of Janus’ obsession. When Marcus told the story of the battle of Satinvol, where he’d been forced to kill a girl who’d fought by his side, she could hear the emotion in his voice, and she reached out to take his hand. He started slightly at her touch and gave her a questioning look, but she only smiled. I’ve had enough of hiding.

Raesinia read the note Janus had written, in his familiar, precise script. “My mind is not my own.” It did fit, in a way. Or is he only playing us all, again?

“I thought Karis got rid of the Beast of Judgment,” Cora said. She was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees, and Raesinia felt another twinge of guilt for getting her involved. Genius or not, this was a lot to lay on someone her age. “Isn’t that in the Wisdoms?”

“We don’t know what this thing is,” Cyte said. “Only that it can control people.”

“But not completely,” Raesinia said. “Janus seems to be able to fight it.”

“Only a little bit,” Marcus said. “And it’s not just controlling his body, either. It was definitely Janus leading the battle against Kurot. He took us to pieces.”

“So it takes over someone almost completely,” Cyte said.

“And it can spread from one person to another?” Cora said. “Like at Satinvol.”

“Feor might know more,” Raesinia said. “We can talk to her as soon as we get to Vordan City.”

“What happens if Winter doesn’t come back?” Cora said. “Or if he’s too late?”

“He’ll be there,” Cyte said. Her tone brooked no argument.

“Even assuming he does,” Marcus said, “we need to think about what happens if he hasn’t got a magic bullet. Suppose Winter takes care of this Beast, and leaves the army for us to deal with?”

“I left orders for soldiers to be gathered at Vordan City,” Raesinia said. “If the Deputies-​General haven’t screwed things up, there should be some reinforcements waiting. Beyond that...” She shrugged.

“There’s no point in speculating,” Cyte said. “We don’t have enough information. Once we know what resources we have to work with and how much time we have, then we’ll see.”

“It might not hurt to start looking for a place to mount a defense,” Marcus said. “We know the basics. It has to be a strong position somewhere north of the city.”

Cyte sighed. “I’ll look over the maps. It’ll give me something to do until we get there, at least.” She got to her feet. “Your Highness, General. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get some sleep.”

“Me too.” Cora yawned.

They left the cabin. Just for a moment, Raesinia thought she detected a conspiratorial glance between them.

“She’s impressive,” Raesinia said.

“Cyte?” Marcus said. “I agree. I don’t think we’d have gotten this far without her.”