Meta Gods War 3 by B. Miles (the ebook reader txt) 📕

lose himself in her again when the shouts became louder. He held up a hand and tilted his head.

“You hear that?”

“I hear it,” she said and rolled off him.

“Shit.” Cam climbed off the pile of furs, skins, and blankets he used as a bed and found his trousers. He pulled them on, still half-hard, and got them buttoned as Key dressed beside him.

More commotion from outside. He thought he heard steel bang against shields. Cam grabbed his shirt, pulled it on, and belted his sword around his hips.

Key followed him out. Arter was on duty outside the tent.

“What’s happening?” he asked.

Arter shook his head. “Not sure,” he said. “I sent Vorn to check it out.”

“Come on,” Cam said.

“Sir, we should assemble more of your guard,” Arter said.

“I’ll take care of him,” Key said and hefted her spear on her shoulder.

Cam strode into the thickening darkness. Fires crackled nearby. Men craned their necks searching for the disturbance. Tents rustled and the smell of cooking filled the air.

More shouts. Cam doubled his pace. They were coming from one of the infantry divisions on the far side of the army.

“What do you think it is?” Key asked.

“I don’t think it’s an attack,” he said. “Not enough screaming.”

“But something’s not right,” she said.

Cam nodded and gripped the pommel of his sword tighter.

He slipped through gaps between tents and slowed as he spotted a crowd of soldiers up ahead. They were packed densely around a set of circular tents used by the general staff.

“Make way!” Arter said. “Make way for the General.”

Cam caught looks from the men as he moved into their midst with Key at his side. Some were relieved, some were confused. Some looked angry.

He ignored them. Ahead, the ranks of soldiers thinned and stopped. The men were arranged in a semi-circle around the tents, most of them unarmed and looking like they’d just gotten up from their evening meal.

Felin stood in the clearing. Six armed men stood at her back, each wearing black cloaks. Before her, General Lagon stood half dressed in trousers and an unbuttoned tunic. His face was half-shaved and Cam guessed the man had been settling in for the evening.

“What’s happening here?” Cam asked.

Felin crossed her arms over her chest and thrust her chin toward the General. “I’m arresting this man.”

Cam stared at her. “Why?”

Lagon let out a frustrated snort. “The bitch thinks I’m some kind of traitor,” he said.

Cam stepped toward Lagon. “Speak about Felin that way again, and I’ll make sure you spend a long time in her custody.”

“She came here and tore me from my tent,” Lagon said, jabbing a finger in Felin’s direction. “She refused to allow me to dress. She refuses to tell me why she thinks she can take me whenever she pleases. What kind of military camp is this, where you send your little girlfriends after anyone who displeases you?”

“Lagon,” Cam said, trying to keep his voice calm. He was intensely aware of the men gathered around them. “You haven’t displeased me. In fact, I don’t know why Felin’s here anymore than you do. But she wouldn’t do something like this without cause.”

Felin remained impassive, her arms crossed over her chest, though her soldiers gripped their weapons tight.

“Go ahead and get her cause, then,” Lagon said. “The bi— She cannot treat me like some criminal. I’m a member of the general staff, I’m a General in good standing.”

Cam held up a hand and looked to Felin. She tilted her head and her dark eyes met his. “Fel, what charges do you level against Lagon?” he asked.

“Lagon remains loyal to the former Lord Remorn,” she said. “He was a loyalist when he was alive, and he’s a loyalist still today.”

“Lies,” Lagon said. “I was loyal to the Lord like any other man. But Remorn’s dead now and his daughter rules the Mansion. I’m no fool.”

“Being loyal to the former Lord isn’t a crime,” Cam said.

“No, that’s true,” Felin said. “But spreading propaganda meant to destabilize your control over the army is.”

There was a slight murmur in the crowd. Cam let out a breath.

“Lagon?” he asked.

“Lies,” Lagon said. “Propaganda? Destabilizing your control? I couldn’t imagine what possible game she thinks I’m playing.”

Cam felt Key step up next to him. “We’ve all heard the rumors, Lagon,” she said. “Godlings in our midst, ready to step up and kill all the Humans once we’ve dealt with the wolves.”

“I don’t know anything about that,” Lagon said.

“I hear the men talk,” Key said. “I’m on the front lines with them every day. They’re scared, and for good reason, but they’re scared of the wrong thing. They talk of the Elves as if they’re the real enemies.”

“The Elves— they’re not even here!” Lagon said. “They’re back at the Mansion right now.”

“That’s right,” Felin said. “And the rumors you’ve been spreading suggest the Elves are currently raping, pillaging, and destroying the Mansion as we speak.”

“Lies,” Lagon said again. He looked at Cam, his hands spread out. “This is madness, you have to know it.”

“These sorts of lies don’t come from nowhere,” Key said. “If Felin thinks it’s him—”

“There’s no proof,” Lagon said. “A man can have his beliefs. There’s no crime in having an opinion.”

“What beliefs do you have, Lagon?” Cam asked.

Lagon shut his mouth and his jaw worked. “I don’t have to put up with this.”

Cam stepped closer to Lagon. “I say you do,” Cam said. “What beliefs do you have?”

Lagon looked around like he was searching for support in the enlisted men. Cam didn’t risk following his gaze. He didn’t want to see the looks on their faces. He didn’t want to find out that half his men thought the same way Lagon did. He didn’t want to see how much irrational fear had infected his army.

“My thoughts are my own,” Lagon said.

Felin rolled her eyes. “Enough of this,” she said. “Lagon, I have multiple witnesses that claim you’re the one spreading rumors about the godlings. Several Captains have come forward, along with reliable enlisted men. You can