Lord of Order by Brett Riley (the reading list book TXT) 📕

They rode upon it, fished in it, washed in it, drank from it. Crusade histories taught how the ancients had dumped waste into their waters until no one could drink without risking disease and death. Troy thanked God those days had passed. But lately he wondered how much of the histories was true.

Did the Purge really cleanse this world, or drown it in blood? Did the first Troublers worship their dead machines? Were they all wicked? Or were they just mad with grief for all they had lost? Accounts of the Purge were vague, but he had always taken them on faith. Was I a fool? Is Rook the only madman we’ve served, or were they all this way?

Long ambled up the walkway to his right, her lengthy stride and strong shoulders distinguishing her even in the gathering shadows. McClure and Bandit climbed the steps from the riverside. They reached Troy first. The girl touched her hat brim and then pointed behind Troy, who turned. From the direction of the Quarter, Tetweiller and Hobbes walked together in silence. McClure sat beside Troy on the bench, Bandit lying at their feet and pricking his ears as the others neared. Troy could barely see their faces in the gloaming.

No one heard or saw Ford coming. One moment he was absent; the next, he stood beside Tetweiller, thumbs tucked into his belt.

Anybody close? Troy asked.

Just a few folks on the streets, Hobbes said.

Can they hear us?

Not unless they’re bats, Ford said.

All right. Report.

South of the bridge, some of the Troublers are dyin, said McClure. Mostly the real old and kids under five. The guards just unchain em and toss em on a pyre or dump em in the river.

Jesus Christ, Tetweiller muttered. I wondered where that smoke and the goddam stink came from.

Christ ain’t got nothin to do with it, said Troy. I’m more certain of that than ever. How about the rest of you? Any progress?

I’ve got two dozen folks I can trust, Ford said.

LaShanda?

So far, about thirty, Long said. Every one of em knows others who can’t stomach this. If we had enough time, we could probably turn near everybody. But with things as they are, I’m as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockin chairs.

Ernie? Troy said.

I’ve talked with twenty-five, thirty people who sounded ready to carve out Rook’s gizzard with a rusty spoon. I’ve been askin folks, real casual like, So what do you think about this here situation? And most of em answer. I reckon they figure they can be honest with an old man who drinks and cusses more than Stransky. Short answer—they’re pissed and scared.

We can work with that, said Troy. Jack?

Talked to half a dozen that seemed solid, but they weren’t sure they could get anybody else. Be proud of their loyalty any other time.

Troy pondered the information. It sounded like a good start, but who knew how things would play out. Once the shooting began, men and women who seemed brave might cower or throw down their weapons and beg for mercy. Or the meekest child might slaughter a dozen Crusaders with a shotgun or a hunting knife.

Well, he said, it won’t be just us at least. Keep your people recruitin, but only when they’re sure. I’d rather err on the side of caution than trust the wrong person and get us all killed. Jack, how about Gordy?

Hobbes hesitated. Don’t know. Been keepin to himself since he took that trip across the bridge with yon envoys.

You think he’s sidin with Royster? asked Long. Every time I see him, he’s with Benn or Clemens.

Can’t believe that, said Hobbes. Do my heart good to know what’s wrong, though.

Even if Gordy won’t fight, he’d never give us up. He just wouldn’t. Keep an eye on him, and let somebody know if there’s any change, Troy said.

There’s a question nobody’s askin, McClure said. Couldn’t we just kill Royster and them? Then blow that wall to hell and gone?

Wouldn’t do no good, Tetweiller said.

Why not?

Lots of reasons. One, Rook would just send some other assholes to finish what Royster started. And next time they’d bring an army. Trained fighters, not guards.

But we’d have time to get ready.

Ford put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. Ain’t enough folks in this town to fight the whole Crusade, nor even stand em off. Not without defenses, which we don’t have the time or labor to build.

Right now Rook’s got a lot on his plate, Long said. But if we kill his envoys, he’ll be on us like stink on manure.

Well, we’ll have to kill em sooner or later, won’t we? McClure asked.

Uh huh, said Hobbes. Afterward.

The child knelt and scratched her dog’s ears. After what?

Me and Jack think the best way to handle this is to let em build their wall, Troy said. And then take it from em.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then everyone talked at once.

Hold on now, Long said. We’re gonna let em wall us in with a whole city of Troublers? That’s crazy.

Damn crazy, said Tetweiller. Once that wall’s in place, we better be outside it, or we’re fucked.

Not if we move at just the right time, said Troy. If we can keep Royster’s folks too busy to evacuate, maybe they won’t blow the levees. And while they’re fightin their way out, we can free the prisoners and take the city back.

That’s a big if, said Long. Tryin to get that many people movin just right at the same time’s gonna be like herdin cats.

Especially when they’re Troublers, Ford said. We never could turn our backs on em.

Now hang on, Troy barked. They all fell silent. I know how you feel. But look at our options. Let Royster kill everybody? I can’t do it. Fight em right now? We got maybe a hundred people on our side against all them guards. Burn the wall and kill the envoys? It’s like Ernie said. That’s just a delay. But if we use all our time