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66 - Finally, Some Truth

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Suni

The Needlethroat’s engines were spinning up. I could hear their deep hum. Or, more so, feel their deep hum. It reverberated out from the ship, steady and strong, as it vibrated in my chest.

Keep going, Suni. Keep. Going.

After all of the morning’s running, I was spent. It took everything I had to keep moving toward the gangplank that led up onto deck.

The hitch in my step was still there and the burning in my knee told me I’d pulled something or other. My arms and side had stopped bleeding, so that was a small mercy. Meant the komodo wasn’t actively on my tail, probably.

I spared a glance back to confirm that yes, it was still at the Dreadbore. Most of the men had fled now, but it seemed unwilling to leave the ship; a predator guarding its kill.

Off to my left, someone aboard the Drossomer was shouting orders in a clear, strong voice. Gathering men to put out the fires and get the engines started, but to mixed results. It was damaged from the komodo stomping across it earlier and the javelin-charges which had followed, but perhaps still operable. Some Bospurians seemed willing to find out as they ran toward the ship. Others ran to the nearest hiding spot, and the rest just seemed to be running. Mindless, frightened. Moving on instinct and nothing else. Couldn’t say I blamed them.

Someone bashed into my shoulder and we both spun away. Kamil’s report near flew from my hands, but somehow I held on to it while stumbling to keep my feet.

I had an exit plan, and it was just ahead now.

The Needlethroat was already off the ground a bit, hovering a pace in the air.

Not without me you don’t.

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I sprinted onto the scaffolding around the ship, then slowed, making sure I didn’t slip as I crossed the gangplank and stepped onto deck. It was mostly abandoned, except for the bodies of several slain Bospurians. My skin chilled at the sight and I looked away. Glancing down the stairs to the lower deck, I could see the rescued prisoners, all huddled together with my dagger, cutting the ropes from their wrists.

“Suni!” Senesio was up at the helm, smiling wide. “Still in one piece, then?” he asked.

I gasped, bent over double and breathing heavy. “Pretty sure I’ve left a trail of pieces all over this camp.”

“You absolute hero,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s good to have you back.”

“Suni!” Another shout, this time from behind.

I turned and found Kamil, standing at the other end of the gangplank. He made to cross but Senesio tutted and brandished a thoroughly bloody sword. That froze the traitor in his tracks.

“Suni,” he pleaded. “Please, you have to understand why I did this. Let me on and I’ll tell you everything. You’ll see why I had no choice.”

“You had a choice, Kamil.” My voice came out steady and strong, much to my surprise. But then, that was how I felt, I realized. I’d looked up to Kamil, had loved him like an older brother. Sometime between the previous night and now, that love had died. Had gone cold and unmoving, like a corpse with the onset of rigor mortis. “You had a choice and you chose to betray us.”

“You think Cyphos cares about you? The empire doesn’t even know you exist, Suni. We’re just pawns in the games the emperor plays to enrich himself.” He shook his head. “Or is it the college? You think those ego-cursed old men have any interest beyond fluffing their own reputations?”

Kamil took a step forward and I stomped on the gangplank, sending shaking reverberations along its length. He froze.

“You had a choice,” I said again. “And you chose to betray us. I don’t mean the empire. I don’t mean the college. I mean Professor Symeos.” I swallowed a lump in my throat. “I mean me.”

“Suni... ” Kamil was begging now, one hand outstretched. “You can’t leave me here to die. I still do care about you. You were always my favorite student. Professor Symeos and I knew there was something special in you from the beginning.”

Pandering. Pleading.

“This isn’t you,” Kamil continued, gesturing around. “You shouldn’t have had to go through this. You’re my apprentice, Suni. I’m responsible for you and it was my actions that dragged you into this. I’m sorry for that, truly. But I know this isn’t who you are. This isn’t the brilliant, kind, gentle naturalist I trained back in Lekarsos.”

Finally, some truth.

“I’ve changed a lot since Lekarsos, Kamil. Some for the worse, no doubt. But a lot for the better, too. For one, no one’s going to tell me what I am and am not anymore.” I gave one swift, sure kick to the side of the gangplank and it jumped from the nook that held it steady, then clattered down the side of the ship.

“No! Suni!” Kamil shouted, then quickly eyed the gap, making like he might be able to jump it.

I held up his report. “The empire might not know who I am, Kamil, but they’re going to know who you are. Going to know your crimes.”

“Suni, please! Don’t do this!” Kamil was on his knees, reaching for me.

I turned my back to him, looked to Senesio, and gave a nod.

“Let’s go.”