About Code of War
by Shayne Carmichael
52 pages / 14900 words
ISBN: 978-1-61040-163-0
Ebook zipped file contains -
html, lit, Adobe and Sony optimized pdf, prc, epub
Politics abound and Jacoby, like his fellow soldiers, is no stranger to intrigue when it concerns war and the crown. Always on guard, he's shocked when a certain man prepositions him. Nothing this man does is without reason, and finding himself on the receiving end of the affections, Jacoby wonders what his new... lover wants in return.
Sample
"King Erlin wishes to speak to you, Bale."
Only Jacoby could see the suspicious glance Titus pinned on him. The
mercenary turned, then strode away without a backward glance. The rest of
Titus' men followed behind their leader, leaving Jacoby alone.
For a long moment, Jacoby didn't say anything, he stared at the monarch.
Whatever could the man want with him? Curiosity held him in place, though he
said nothing.
Erlin returned the steady regard before his gaze dropped to Jacoby's chest.
He reached out, fingering the metal medallion Jacoby wore. "This is a very
curious piece. A rather expensive trinket for one such as yourself, wouldn't
you say?"
"I've had it for as long as I can remember, your Majesty." The king's
interest made Jacoby suspicious, yet he showed no emotion. Though Jacoby
wasn't sure if it was true or not, he'd been told it had belonged to his
family. Hammon, the man who had raised him, had told Jacoby his parents had
been murdered when Jacoby was two.
Without another word Erlin let go of the medallion, walked past Jacoby, and
headed back into the castle. Taking the hint, Jacoby left the garden and
walked back through the castle, accompanied by baleful stares.
When he reached the outside courtyard, he discovered everyone had left. They
had also taken his horse. With several silent curses, Jacoby began the trek
back to the mercenaries' camp. Either Titus thought Jacoby wouldn't return
to them or the commander wanted to punish him.
No doubt Titus wondered why Erlin had singled out Jacoby, but he wasn't sure
why the man had. Maybe Erlin recognized the symbols on the medallion. Even
as the thought occurred to him, he dismissed the idea. It would be stupid to
believe someone of Erlin's rank would know anything about Jacoby or his
family. They had lived in a poor farming community.
The temperature had cooled and the walk wasn't as unpleasant as it would
have been earlier in the day. It wouldn't have bothered Jacoby either way.
He remained alert as he left the city proper behind and headed into the
countryside. Though he passed several farms, it was quiet with dark
approaching. Jacoby remained on the main road, ever alert to any potential
danger.
He still had to deal with Titus. It had taken only one look from the
mercenary to let Jacoby know he was in deep trouble. None of it was his
fault, but he wasn't sure if the commander would believe it. He couldn't
even explain why Erlin had wanted to talk to him since Erlin had done
nothing but look at the medallion.
A betraying rustle of sound made Jacoby lower his hand to the hilt of his
sword. To outward appearances nothing had changed but the slight position of
his hand, internally was a different matter. His entire body prepared for
swift action and his senses sharpened to determine the direction and
distance of his potential enemy. The best hiding position would be a large
outcrop of rocks to his left. A man alone would be thought to be easy
pickings, and Jacoby knew it as he continued walking in an unhurried pace.
It didn't take long for the men in hiding to reveal themselves. Both were
dressed from head to toe in rough, indistinctive garb. One, brown hair tied
back, leaned against one of the trees. The other, sword already drawn,
walked onto the road to block Jacoby's way. His hair was obscured by a tied
scarf.
"Aren't you supposed to demand my money, then leave me alone if I hand it
over?" Jacoby asked with a faint smile on his lips.
"Dead is fine with us. No witness. Ain't that right, Ev?"
His companion's lazy drawl answered him, "That's right, Iron."