While I sit down on the pelt, Leomi takes a large roll of parchment out of the chest and spreads it out in front of me, settling at my side. It's a map of the Empire with general details but few specifics.
“So, what do you think? You brought this up like you have an idea.” Leomi says.
“The Lisilese Hordes are independent and aggressive, right?” I ask instead.
“They are, there isn't much infighting around our borders but it does happen.” Leomi agrees.
“Would the abduction, torture, and experimentation on an elite be something that could convince an unrelated Horde to go back on a deal they made with the Emperor?” I question.
“Yes, in this case, but it depends on the circumstances.” Leomi replies instantly. “The strongest cold bloods are to protect, lead, and train those under them, it's a matter of honor for them. The captured one would lose respect for losing but those directly above him in their hierarchy will seek revenge, and glory by winning where another lost. An unrelated Horde would likely want to steal honor from the Horde that cold blood belonged to by taking revenge in their place. They are cruel, their society expects them to fight to the death. It doesn't even have to be an elite, although name recognition would likely play a part in motivating a Horde. If a Hersir Horde leader was captured, that Horde would likely disintegrate but another one would want to pick up the challenge.”
“So, Fenyz thought of using that to gain passage.” I mutter. “Instead of two Hordes raiding our borders, we would have three.”
“That's problematic.” Leomi comments, pointing at the map. “You see the river there, it's easiest to cross in spring which is why the Empire's phalanxes, supported by mercenaries along with Kingdom armies, take advance positions south until the water level rises as the winter's snows melt up north, at which point they retreat to hold the bridges and passes. This year, the Empire won't be able to do that because the majority of our phalanxes will be east which means that they have to hold the entire length of the river against two Hordes, three if the Rykz do what you fear. But the Bloody Claws will need something to rescind on the deal they made with Him, they wouldn't just trust the Rykz' word.”
“So, the Silver Hive needs the liangi, or at least the Lisilese' name.” I say, a cold shiver going through my back. “What do you advise me to do?” I ask.
“Demand that the Silver Hive respects the deal they made.” Leomi utters coldly. “Let them and the Bloody Claws fight it out in the grasslands.”
“Leomi.” I utter firmly, implying that she's letting her prejudices affect her judgment.
“This isn't based on feeling but logic, Liz.” Lance says, straightening up. “The Empire is in a bad spot, it can't afford to fight the full strength of the Rykz and Lisilese this summer. If you want another option, then the plan I made to use the Rykz to take power is the only one I can think of. No one would sign a peace that allows the Silver Hive to remain in Caeviel.”
“That's, I can't...” I shake, seeing a red cloud, a mist of blood. I firmly close my eyes, yet it doesn't do a thing to chase the vision, the memory of me shredding through the mercenaries. “No, more war.”
“It'll happen eventually, Liz. Most of the human army facing the Rykz will become enemies working to maintain Nobility's unjust rule, not because they want to but because it's all they kn...” Leomi pauses, her light gray eyes flickering, making her look insane for the few seconds it lasts.
“What?” I ask.
“Never mind, it's irrelevant until I think it through some more.” She shakes her head. “The Rykz need to retreat, you're not responsible for their well-being and you can't give them what they need without suffering more guilt than you can handle.”
“But... how do I get Celyz to forgive me for this?” I say, despairing, crushed by the idea that there isn't a way to preserve the Hive and Caeviel.
“What would you say if I asked you how to obtain Jessica's forgiveness?” Leomi asks coldly.
“Ask, find out.” I sharply counter.
“H, ow?” Leomi questions immediately, unable to resist the temptation.
“You can't do anything.” I softly say, savoring the anguish my words give rise to in her eyes. “You broke your oath. It will entirely be her call.”
“You!” Leomi half-stands. “You will, not tell her, a thing.” She commands, choking over her own words.
I incline my head to the side in a mocking manner without agreeing. Leomi pounces at me over the map, so fast that her body blurs at the edges of my vision. I barely manage to raise my hands to block her.
She ignores them, ramming into me with enough force to break my guard, throwing me to the ground. She quickly mounts me and takes hold of my throat with her golden glowing right hand, an expression of fury on her sharp traits.
“There's nothi...” ...ng to tell her. I try to say but she squeezes my trachea, smothering the word before it can pass my lips.
“This is a line you will not cross, Elizabeth Vil.” Leomi utters madly. “Nothing is ours, you have no place there.”
An intense panic takes over as I feel the burning presence of liquid in my lungs, the knowledge that it's impossible doesn't help. The Little one slips out of my control and coils up.
Leomi catches the movement in time to kick the ground and propel herself back, barely avoiding being impaled as she lands on her ass. She pales, as much in anger as in fear. I fall into a desperate coughing fit, my body trying to get rid of the nonexistent water clogging my airways.
Leomi bites her lower lip, losing her fury in an instant. She slowly approaches me, forcing me to split my attention and placate the Little one again. She pulls me up to a sitting position and rubs my back, making comforting sounds as I struggle to recover.
“Shh, you're okay, Liz.” She whispers. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let your provocation affect me this much.”
“It's fine.” I mutter, her touch doing a lot to fight the irrational fear clogging my mind. “Surprised, you didn't, deny breaking it.”
“I broke it in spirit the very moment I made it, Liz. I've been prepared to admit that fact if she ever chooses to confront me.” Leomi sighs. “It was impossible for me to keep it to begin with, I suspect she knows that. But I allow you to interfere or influence her will, she should be free to judge with a pure heart.”
“It feels, like you're, flirting with another woman, while holding me.” I whine in a shaky voice, feeling very real jealousy despite how ludicrous it is to experience that emotion about myself.
“Sorry.” Leomi murmurs with a difficult expression on her face.
“You apologize, a lot.” I grunt, taking a deep breath. “I'll, say sorry too, after flirting with Celyz.”
“That's not.” Leomi growls but suddenly stops herself, closing the hand caressing my back. “Fair.” She exhales, pressing the fist on my body. “My thought mistress is out of reach.”
“Tough.” I counter, shaken by her words.
“Fine, but don't forget that you belong to me. I won't pity or comfort you when that manipulative bi... being harms you. You already know the consequences of betraying me.” Leomi utters coldly, referring to her declaration that one of us wouldn't survive it at the end.
“If only Celyz had that natural pull...” I sigh in turn, enjoying the look of profound vexation that takes over my Lady's face despite her fighting against it.
“Does, does she hate me?” She suddenly asks about Jessica, stuttering.
“Yes.” I reply. Leomi freezes. “No.” I continue, relishing her indignation. “I doubt she could pin down her feelings about you under a single word if she even knows what they are herself.”
“I, I don't understand myself.” Leomi admits, shifting to settle on my lap, apparently deciding I got over my moment of panic.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“I'll need more details.” I tell her, taking hold of her by the waist. Wait, how did it get to me asking for more? She ponders my demand, chewing on her lower lip as she rests in my arms. “Did you choke me knowing I'd be more malleable afterward?” I ask, suspicious.
“No, but I'll take advantage.” Leomi replies, making a sad smile. “I expected you to fly in a mad fury, not that I could stop myself.”
“I, told you. I like it when you hurt me.” I murmur, amazed by how naturally I've come to accept it, doubly amazed when her ears redden.
“I, can't right now, I need to talk about her, sorry.” Leomi tells me in a soft but fragile voice. “It'll, help split you both, in my mind.”
“You're getting closer and closer to owing me so much that I'll have to take your virginity in exchange.” I threaten, making my voice resound inside my mask. Leomi trembles in fear, yet her nipples distinctively harden.
“Getting closer doesn't mean you're anywhere near that prize, Liz.” She courageously denies.
“Hmph.” I playfully exhale. “Talk, I'll listen.” I tell her, wanting to find out what she thinks to assess whether my assumptions about the way to break her are correct or not.
“I... I did, all I could.” Leomi starts unsteadily.
“Shh.” I whisper. “Take your time, I'm right here. You know you can't trust me.”
“Ha.” She laughs, tenderly resting her slender fingers over my hands wrapped around her waist. “I don't want to sound like I'm excusing what I did, but I need to talk because I'm having trouble settling on what happened, where the dissonance between my intellect and my feelings occurred, if my selfishness is tainting my reasoning. Your question about the Rykz made me realize I could talk to you.”
“You want me to give you an unbiased view?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“No, we both know you wouldn't be able to, you love me too much.” She affirms with a pride in her voice that warms my E.Vil heart. “I just want to talk to someone out loud. I just can't trust Yvonne about Jessica anymore.”
“Go ahead then.” I nod, figuring that I'll just directly shatter her if the words warrant it.
“I, made mistakes. That's undeniable.” Leomi takes a deep breath and hardens herself. “I should have told her from the get-go that I sent a call for help, that there was a chance she wouldn't be able to escape with us. I should have spent the time to properly apologize for taking her arm. I relied on what I learned my whole life about fighting from a disadvantage, preserving our strength instead of listening to my heart and saving her limb. I should have used the knowledge to find a solution to the lack of flow that would have crippled us if I did do that. That's all true, but I'm not responsible for everything that happened, I'm mostly guilty of being naive, scared, and thoughtless. I tried to hide it, but... I was far out of my depth when it came to the Rykz and our situation.”
“That, almost sounds fair.” I utter, my throat tightening.
“Yet, it feels like I am responsible, it tortures me.” Leomi shivers.
“You're lying.” I stop her. “You also blame Celyz.”
“That's true.” She acknowledges. “But this isn't about Celyz. Setting what I've just said aside, my issue is...” Leomi pauses. “I, struggle to reconcile my intellect and feelings about how it, how we ended. I acted to save her life, I'll always regret what it did to her but I'll never regret having done it. Intellectually, it's not like I owed her a kiss, or even a relationship. Her demands were, objectively out of bounds.” It takes a huge exertion of will to stop myself from crushing her rib cage, I grit my teeth, needing to hear the rest, refusing to accept she truly believes so. “Yet, they weren't.” Leomi continues. “There was, is, something between us. An understanding of how we feel about each other which makes it crystal clear that my refusal of her requests was a betrayal of the worst kind. And that's what tortures me, it's what kept me awake. My intellect tried to reason my guilt away while my heart knew the truth and refused to back down.” She swallows her saliva. “You, saved me by touching my heart, Liz, but it isn't... solved.”
“Do you want it to go away?” I ask, failing to retain control at the end.
“No.” Leomi firmly shakes her head. “If, I could go back... I would have chosen to remain with her even if it meant certain capture, knowing how my choice affected her.”
“And that she chose to be loyal in the face of betrayal, refusing to accept Celyz' offer.” I add.
“Yes.” Leomi admits, looking down. This is how I'll break her, by making her regret that very choice Jessica supposedly made. You better take the right course of action when it happens, my Lady. “I, would still split up. I'm, no good for her. She's too much for me to safely handle.”
Leomi tries to reassure me despite the longing and utterly love-sick look on her face and in her words as she looks back to her past, to Jessica. All it does is reaffirm my determination to shatter that ridiculous position of hers for Jessica. Not before ending the war, but soon, soon.
“You're, going to need, to wrap up.” I mutter, having trouble controlling my own internal struggle.
“I have no conclusion, I just needed to talk.” Leomi shakes her head. “All I know is that everything becomes easier to bear in your company.” She smiles, reaching back to lay her hand on the side of my head. Good, it'll hurt that much more when I leave you alone to make your choice.
I hug her tight, not looking forward to splitting up at all. I give her a long moment of peace so she can recover, torn by my impatience to obtain her advice to find a path to end the war and finally go through with my revenge.
“So, any advice for me?” I ask.
“Give them the liangi and the Cold blood's name.” Leomi says, startling me as it goes counter to her previous argument.
“But, you said that the Empire can't handle it.” I protest.
“It can't because the Empire is divided.” Leomi tells me with a mad smile. “But, I have a bone to pick with the Lisilese and my organization needs time, recognition, and gold. I will travel to Kruzser to gather an army and then make way south to reinforce our lines, it solves your problem and grants the organization all it needs regardless of what Cenwalh decides to do towards us or the Izla.”
“You're, not serious.” I utter, pushing her away from me. “You can't be telling me to...”
“I am, Liz.” Leomi tells me, turning around. “I would obviously prefer that you don't do this but I doubt you have much of a choice. The Rykz hold you hostage through that plant, even as it kills you. You can use this knowledge and weapon to get them to remove it.”
“They don't hold me hostage, but that's not the point. You can't be seriously telling me to screw the deal the Emperor achieved with the Bloody Claws, whatever the reason.” I say, glaring.
“Liz, they'll attack sooner or later.” Leomi sighs. “The Lisilese will learn of what occurred inside the institute to the Rykz Princess. The mere rumor that one of their own was possibly there as well will be enough to attract vengeful ambitious Hordes to the Empire's borders in two summers, even if it doesn't convince the Bloody Claws to go back on their word. The best way to avoid this is to face the issue head-on to get ahead of it. With your actions against the institute and the fact that you knelt to me, I might have a chance at settling the dispute alone but I hope you'll choose to accompany me, after getting rid of that thing growing under your skin.”
“You sound optimistic.” I say, setting aside her comment on the Little one. “But how confident are you?” I ask, suspicious that she's playing some mind game despite my demand to be impartial.
Leomi stands and extends her hand out. I hold her gaze. After a while, she bends her back to turn the demand into an invitation. I take it and let her help me up to my feet.
She takes firm hold of my gloved left hand with her right while passing her left arm behind my back. I do the same and she pulls us closer, leading us into a slow swerving dance around the tent.
“The Empire has been at war for centuries. We have always had the soldiers to defend ourselves, whether retired or aspiring, but we lack the leadership and enthusiasm because of Nobility's infighting which causes even the best of us to focus on our little parcels lands while the Empire is at risk, putting the weight of our survival on His shoulders.” Leomi explains with fervor. “The Empire is sick, it's rotting from within. I've known as much for years, even before you told me how bad it is, I simply wasn't clear on the solution.” She tells me, referring to her old ambition to reform Nobility. “Now, I am.” She finishes, the mad look in her abysmal eyes deepening as she looks down at me.
“I, are you certain?” I question, losing myself in her gaze.
“This is risky, I won't lie, but less than letting things go along their course without acting. The outcome rests on my shoulders alone even if your skills would go a long way to achieve change, my obedient warrior.” She tells me with a gentle but dominating smile. “I will allow no one to blame you if the choice you make is to stand aside, rid of that thing the Rykz gave you.”
“Enough, it's not your call.” I growl.
“It is if you want to keep sleeping with me.” Leomi counters softly.
“You'd, end us over this?” I ask, feeling a pit in my stomach as this confirms my fears.
“If I knew before, we wouldn't be together. But no, I would not end us over it.” Leomi tells me, mixing harsh and gentle tones. “But I'd give up on this ass, with much difficulty.” She adds, taking hold of the subject of her desire and squeezing.
“Hrm.” I grunt. “You're willing to take the responsibility to deal with the outcome if I give the Hive what they need to escape?” I ask.
“Yes. Not for you, for Caeviel and the Empire.” Leomi affirms. “It could be argued that it would be best not to act, but the truth is that we do not know how the Bloody Claws would react to what the Rykz tell them even without tangible proof of what they say. The least damaging proposition is for you to help the Rykz while making sure that they mention your role in these events, to set the story in a way favorable to the Empire, or at least in a way that'll allow me to settle the dispute by citing you, my magnificent berserk.” She deposits a small kiss on my mask.
“Rrr.” I purr. “I like that last one, what does it mean?” I ask.
“It comes from old stories about our days in the grasslands, fighting the Lisilese, some warriors who fought entered a rage that sustained them through the worst of injuries. It describes you well, apart from the fact that they stopped when killed while you're invincible, mentally and physically.” Leomi tells me, an odd desperation present in her tone and in the way, she grips at my body. “If I hadn't seen you bleed, or took you for myself, I'd believe the rumors that you just don't shed blood.” I shiver in delight from her claim of dominion over me.
“I got you harder, you wept for me.” I respond, shifting my hold on her back to firmly seize her ass. Leomi's confidence buckles, her sharp traits making a difficult expression reflecting her inner humiliation. “I'm starting to enjoy that face.” I murmur.
“I'll see it on you, next time.” Leomi promises, recovering her confidence.
Not on Elizabeth Vil's face you won't, she is but a wrathful phantom on the verge of fading away. We split from each other's arms. I recover my weapon while Leomi picks up the dagger she stole from me, the shield I gave her, her halberd, and a plain looking sword that nevertheless looks to be made of quality steel.