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

keep playing this little game if you wish, but you’re not walking away from this clearing in one piece.”

Lagon stared around him. Cam shook his head.

“Come with her, Lagon,” Cam said. “If you’re innocent, we’ll clear it up. We’ll speak with her witnesses, we’ll—”

“Damn you,” Lagon said, his voice a roar as he turned to Felin. “Damn you, little godling-lover bitch. I bet you lay with them behind the General’s back, you little slut.” He advanced on her, almost at a run, his hands thrown back like he wanted to grab her face and smash it into the ground.

Cam moved but Felin moved faster.

She ducked under Lagon’s attack and lashed a knee out. She caught him in the thigh and sent him stumbling to the side. One of her soldiers stepped forward and slammed the butt of his spear into Lagon’s jaw, knocking him sideways and to the ground.

Felin kicked Lagon in the ribs.

“You’re under arrest for being a fucking prick,” she said and gestured at her guards. “Take him.”

They fell on Lagon and tied his hands behind his back with a length of black rope. He was hauled to his feet, his head drooping, his mouth bloody from the spear blow.

“Fucking lies,” Lagon said and spit blood at Felin’s feet. “Fucking dogs. You’ll regret this, shaman. You’ll fucking regret it.”

“Take him,” Felin said.

The guards dragged Lagon away.

Cam stared at the General then turned his attention to the gathered men.

“Hear me now,” Cam said, raising his voice over the din of confused voices and shuffling bodies.

He saw fear, anger, and confusion. He saw a sea of faces all staring back at him, and he knew that he could lose them at any moment.

And if he did, this whole war would be finished.

“You can’t just arrest someone for nothing!” a voice shouted from the back.

“Aye,” a few voices called out.

“For nothing! Suspicion!”

Cam held up his hands. “Quiet,” he said.

The voices continued until Arter stepped up and banged his spear against his shield. “The General told you lot to shut your cock sucking mouths. Now either shut them or I’ll come smash your teeth from your fucking skulls.”

Some laughter rang back but the voices quieted down.

Cam paced toward the center of the clearing and faced the men. He clasped his hands behind his back. Felin’s guards pushed a path and dragged Lagon away, but Felin stayed behind. Key’s eyes roamed the assembled soldiers and he could see the worry in her expression.

“I know many of you liked Lagon,” Cam said. “I liked the man myself. He’s a competent General and good at keeping the supplies flowing.”

“Aye, and now he can’t do shit tied up in some tent with that torturing mad woman!” someone called out.

“There won’t be any torturing,” Cam said and shot Felin a look. “You must all understand. There is so much more at stake here. If we continue down this path, if we continue to hate all godlings for being what they are, then we won’t ever be able to come together. Alone, we’re not strong enough to stand against the wolf horde. But together, we’ll be able to crush them.”

Some murmuring and nodding heads.

“We have a new plan,” Cam said. “We’ll lead the wolves away from the Mansion. The Elves will march in their wake, killing any encampments they leave behind. Once we’ve taken them far enough, we’ll turn and face them head on while the Elves sweep in from the rear. Together, between our two forces, we’ll crush the wolves once and for all and be done with this madness.”

“Damn right,” someone shouted. “Burn the fucking wolves.”

Some laughter and a few cheers.

“But we can’t do it without the Elves,” Cam said. “And we can’t do it if we’re too busy fighting with each other. I know there are those that might not agree with Felin’s methods, but I gave Felin orders and she’s done nothing but follow them. Blame me if you wish, but understand that you’d all die with your thumbs shoved up your asses if it weren’t for me.”

More laughter. Cam stood straight and glared at the men assembled before him. Anger rolled down his spine, anger at himself for not doing this sooner, anger at the men for being so easily tricked into hatred and dissent, anger at those within the camp who were so blinded by their own prejudices that they couldn’t see the bigger picture.

“Alone, we’ll be slaughtered. But together, with our godling allies, we’ll prevail. Lagon wants to manipulate you for his own selfish desires, all because he’s angry at the godlings for being what they are.

“So go back to your tents. Finish your evening meals. Shit, shave, sleep. In the morning, we’ll march. We’ll kill more wolves. Some of you might die. But at the end of this, our families will live free again, back in the fields of our fathers.”

Silence hung heavy. Cam met their gazes and held it there.

“You heard the fucking General,” Arter said. “Get back to your tents, you lazy fucks.”

The crowd dispersed. Cam watched them go in small groups, turning away and fading back into the camp. He stood still with his hands behind his back to hide the trembling he felt.

That had been too close, much too close.

Key shouted orders at the men and left with several men under her command.

Felin walked to him and stood at his side.

“How sure are you?” he asked, keeping his voice low.

“I’m sure,” she said. “Very sure.”

“Why?” he asked, shaking his head. “I don’t understand it.”

“You’ll have to ask him that.”

“How many came forward?”

“A few.” She looked at her nails. “You were right about the torturing. Once word spread that I’d stopped, people started to talk.”

Cam nodded. “Good. I want to talk to him.”

“You can talk now, if you want.”

“In the morning,” he said. “First light. Let him sit for a while and think about what I’ll do to him if he lies to me again.”

Felin shrugged and put a hand on his arm.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “This