Betrayal Part One

By Matthew Jackowski

The Skaltic Empire has stood for millennium. Now it is being threatened from within. Rebellion has spread like wildfire throughout the western provinces. Led by Carson, a brilliant young general, and his foreign brother Jason, the rebellion has rampaged across the Empire, undefeated across over a dozen battlefields. But the brothers have been hiding a dark secret from their army.

Now the full might of the Skaltic Empire has been unleashed and fifty thousand men march towards the destruction of the rebel army. The time has finally come for Carson and Jason to act. But will the world be ready for the consequences?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew Jackowski
• Release date: Mar 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301597710

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Betrayal

By M.T.J.

Copyright 2012 Matthew Jackowski

Smashwords Edition

Text copyright © 2012 M.T.J.

All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Rebellion

Chapter Two: Imperial Justice

Chapter Three: Imperial Power

Chapter Four: When Battle is Joined

Chapter Five: Years of Work

Chapter Six: Machinations

Chapter Seven: Just Rewards

Chapter Eight: When Plans Go Awry

Chapter Nine: Awakenings

Chapter Ten: Homecomings

Chapter Eleven: Fruition

Chapter One:

Rebellion

Blood dripped off the blade of his sword, like a slow leak from an old bucket. The battle still raged around him, but he was surrounded by one of those odd islands of calm that always seemed to occur amidst the swirling chaos of a battle field. There was still noise, the screams of rage and pain, the discordant clang and squeal of metal on metal, but around him it was all focused elsewhere. It would not last. The islands never lasted more than a few moments.

As he gathered himself, Jason tightened his grip on the knife and sword in his hands. The old leather wrapped around the handles creaked comfortingly under his palms, but his hands did not slip. He checked the handles as diligently as he checked the blades. He had not always been so careful. The slanting scar running across his left temple and over his eye was a constant reminder of that bit of idiocy.

A high pitched scream of pain breached Jason’s island of calm, and he directed his attention to a squad of infantry that had been pushed back. The blood that gushed from the side of the wounded man at their center explained what had caused the men to falter and break formation. As his comrades folded inwards to protect the man the whole squad collapsed, and the Skals surged forward, eager for the kill.

With three quick strides Jason vaulted the wounded man, and landed just in front of four Skaltic soldiers. Each of the men facing him wielded nearly identical spears and shields.

Keep them from circling me, he shouted over his shoulder. Not checking to see if they obeyed.

Doesn’t matter if they do or not, Jason thought wryly. He had trained for almost two decades for moments like this. He set his stance and waited.

The way the enemy soldiers held themselves spoke of confidence and experience. They moved well together, obviously part of a squad. The sergeant, his rank pins glittering on his right shoulder, stepped forward smoothly. Leading with his shield, he held his other arm cocked back, ready to stab with the spear at the first sign of an opening.

Not giving the enemy time to trap him, Jason sprang forward quickly. He thrust his knife low against the sergeant’s shield, forcing the lower rim of the triangular shield back against the man’s body. The sudden attack left the sergeant confused for crucial seconds as Jason swept his leg into the sergeant’s knee. The stream of curses and the loud crunch that followed told Jason that something had broken as the man collapsed to the ground.

Movement to his left sent Jason spinning quickly, and he lashed out with his sword, turning his wrist so that instead of cutting into the incoming spear haft, his blade scratched along it, throwing the spear out wide. The enemy soldier cried out in pain as Jason’s sword sliced into his gauntleted hand.

Not a killing blow, he admitted to himself, but it will keep him off my back.

The wounded soldier’s momentum carried him past Jason and he stumbled into his sergeant. The sergeant bellowed in pain as the soldier stumbled over his injured leg and fell across him. The sergeant began to curse even more foully as he berated his comrade. A thrill of satisfaction went through Jason as the two soldiers tried to disentangle themselves. He tried to quash the feeling but he knew he was already too late.

Looking around quickly, Jason found that the Rebellion soldiers had abandoned their squad mate and engaged the remaining Skals. The blankly staring eyes and gaping mouth told Jason all he needed to know about their comrade’s fate.

Turning back to the two wounded men still in a tangle on the ground, Jason closed on them quickly. Grabbing the sergeant’s hair, he carved his knife through the man’s throat. The remaining man rolled to the side, clutching his hand, trying to flee. Jason caught the man’s shoulder and wrenched him roughly back around.

The woman’s face that starred up at him nearly dropped him to his knees. The black hair that hung down to frame her face was the color of pitch. The completely blue eyes, no whites, no pupils, stared back at him full of terror and pain.

Please, a man’s voice cried out. Blinking, Jason looked back down and the soldier’s face was back where it belonged. Please, he cried again.

No, Jason’s eyes were on the man’s face, but they were unfocused, unseeing. Plunging his sword through the man’s neck he cried out, NO!

It was on him again. He could feel it. The tingling of his blood rushing faster through his limbs, the way his mind seemed to be disconnecting. Watching the world, analyzing it but not actually thinking or acknowledging anything it saw.

Turning quickly, Jason searched for the enemy general’s most likely location. There, facing south he found a mass of enemy soldiers guarding a group of men under an Imperial banner. Kill the general. It was his last conscious thought before he succumbed.

*****

Carson found Jason sitting on a rock in what had been the most heavily defended place in the Skaltic army.

Right up until Jason got there anyway, he thought to himself as he stood at a distance watching his brother.

With his back turned Carson could not see the pale skin and completely black eyes that marked Jason as an outlander. Only the black hair set him apart from this view, but here in the Skaltic Empire, to be apart was to be outcast.

Being the Rebellion’s general, Carson had been too far distant to see first-hand what had happened, but he had been given the reports. Jason, charging like a blood maddened nikai, had hammered into the Skaltic ranks. Gaining momentum and followers he had slammed into the enemy general’s personal retinue, followed shortly after by the two hundred or so men he had dragged behind him like an ocean swell.

The reports got sketchy after that and details varied. Most agreed that after the initial charge had spent its momentum, the men following him should have been slaughtered, would have been slaughtered, had it not been for Jason. He had, reportedly, rampaged through the Skaltic elite, slaughtering whole squads until he had faced the enemy general in single combat.

Carson doubted the veracity of those reports. Not that Jason couldn’t do great things; it was just certain parts didn’t fit with what he knew about his brother. The accounts cheering and exhorting his men on was complete nonsense. In his rages, Jason could barely speak, and when he did manage to, he only ever called out one thing. Killing his way through the elite Skaltic guards was entirely believable, mostly because Carson had seen the like and would undoubtedly see it again. He wouldn’t credit Jason with the hundred kills many of the men had claimed, but several dozen had surely fallen to his skills.

Single combat with the enemy general was probably true in a way. Jason never really engaged in any form of honorable combat. He had probably attacked the Skal general, but he probably hadn’t even registered who it was he had killed.

Say what you came to say, Carson, Jason’s cold voice snapped him out of his reverie.

I didn’t come to say anything, Carson replied, walking forward to stand beside him. I know how hard you’ve been working these past months. You cut yourself off from nearly everyone around you. If I didn’t demand it, I don’t think you’d even talk to me! There was anger in his voice at that last, but he couldn’t keep it out.

Didn’t come to tell me anything, huh?

Damn it, Jason! Turning stiffly Carson began to stalk back towards the celebrating camp.

Carson, stop. Jason caught his arm, and Carson saw the old mischievous light in his eyes that got them into so much trouble as children. I remember when you would have shot right back at me, not all that long ago.

Carson tried to keep his tone lighthearted, as though he had meant it as only simple teasing, You hadn’t gotten lost back then.

No. No, I hadn’t. As quickly as it had come, the light was gone again, and Jason was shrouded in shadow and regret.

Well, Carson thought to himself as he shook his head. We’re on the subject now. No more use being careful now.

You saw her again, didn’t you, Carson said, his tone making it clear that it was not a question.

Jason’s head snapped up, his eyes glittering with suspicion and anger. How do you-

We’re brothers, Jason, Carson cut him off. I’ve heard what you shout when it hits you. It’s her name isn’t it?

Yes, he said, his voice barely a whisper as his shoulders slumped, as if the suspicion and anger just melted out of him. At least I think so. I can’t ever remember. It’s all a blur centered on that face.

Jason’s fist’s clenched on the hilts of his weapons; unconsciously, Carson hoped.

Stepping forward, Carson took hold of Jason’s wrists and firmly pulled his hands from his weapon hilts. Seeing the look on his brother’s face, he tried an old tact.

Tell me who she is Jason. Please? Maybe I can help you find her.

It was an old argument, a way Carson knew he could get Jason agitated. Agitation always seemed to help get him past the bleakness that followed his spells.

I can’t tell you, Carson, Jason’s shoulders seemed to slump further as he said it.

Well that was new.

What do you mean, ‘you can’t’? Carson’s concern was evident in his voice. Jason had never said anything like that before.

Because I don’t fucking know who she is! Jason shouted, leaping to his feet to confront Carson. I’ve only ever fucking seen her in my fucking head all right?

Alarmed, Carson jerked back a step. He had never seen Jason this angry before. Jason’s eyes were wide and his hands had clenched into tight fists as he took a threatening step towards Carson.

*****

You didn’t have to sucker punch me, you know, Jason said sullenly.

Well, you’re the dumbass who came at me, Carson retorted a tad defensively. It’s your own damn fault you got hit.

Gently probing his black eye, Jason said, How the hell is someone so terrible with a blade so damn good with his fists? Satisfied his eye wasn’t going anywhere; he put his hands behind him and leaned back. I swear Carson, sometimes I’m worried you’re going to skewer yourself on your dinner knife.

I haven’t cut myself with one of those in years, Carson answered casually, surreptitiously rubbing his knuckles, Jason noticed with some satisfaction. And you’re ignoring my question. Don’t think you can fool me.

Jason shook his head ruefully. He hadn’t really thought it would work, but it had been worth a try. You are entirely too single minded, General.

That is why I win, Carson replied. Turning to Jason, his tone became serious, I’m not letting go of this Jason. What did you mean you can’t tell me? He stared at Jason for a time waiting. You can’t tell me, or you won’t?

I told you the truth, Carson. I can’t tell you who she is because I don’t know her. He sighed as he tried to organize his thoughts. I’ve never seen her anywhere else. I searched for her for a while, you remember? I found a lot of women who almost looked like her, but none of them had the eyes. I’ve spent days wracking my brain, but I can’t remember anyone I’ve ever met who looks like her.

Carson seemed to hesitate, as though he was bracing himself for something, What about from before? Before mother found you?

Jason didn’t flinch from the question. He would have once, but with the war and everything that was happening now it seemed somehow trivial. I’ve thought about it, but it’s the same as it always was. Whenever I think back, or try to, my head starts to hurt. Rubbing his head with a hand he went on, I’ve passed out a few times because I tried to push too hard.

That explains your absence from the command meetings lately, Carson said nodding. Which, by the way, the other officer’s love. They’ve been maneuvering to get me to remove you. He shook his head in exasperation, Fucking idiots.

Jason nodded his head. Of course the other officers would want him removed. Not only did he have undue amounts of influence with Carson, he was outside of the official military chain of command. He still reported to Carson, but none of the other officers in the army had the authority to give him an order. Worse in their opinions, he could theoretically give them orders. So long as he had Carson’s backing, and since he always had that, he was a threat they sought to remove at every opportunity.

So, he said unconcerned. They’ve been maneuvering to get me removed since we started this rebellion. What’s changed?

They see opportunity in your spells. They think that you’re becoming ‘unreliable’, that you’re unfit to fulfill your duties. The frustration in Carson’s voice was evident, as though he had been dealing with this for quite some time. They’ve been pestering me for months. At this rate, I’m not sure how long I can hold them together. Giving them victories keeps them sated for a time, but they are starting to chafe at the bit for some real action.

How long has this been going on, Carson? Jason asked slowly as he thought his way through the situation and its implications.

About six months, Carson answered cautiously.

So right around the time my illness went public, Jason said dejectedly.

Yes, right around then.

I’m sorry, Carson. I shouldn’t have abandoned you to that. Looking over at his brother, Jason saw that Carson was looking at him with concern.

Well, it’s not as though you haven’t had something on your mind, Carson said with a small laugh. So how did it happen this time?

The sudden change of topic had Jason confused for a moment. There was a lull in the combat around me, you know? Carson nodded. Well, three squad men were falling back towards me. I evened the odds against them. During the fight I started to feel it coming on me. When-

You felt it coming on, Carson interrupted excitedly. What did you feel? What caused it?

Jason hesitated again before speaking slowly, I was keeping as much control over myself as I could; trying to stay calm. I thought I was doing well. I had broken a man’s knee, and cut off another’s fingers. Then the one missing the fingers tripped over the one with the broken knee. Highest, how that man howled.

Carson chuckled at that.

I felt the same way, Jason said. That’s what did me in this time I think. I was amused. Wiping a hand across his mouth, he looked down at his pale hands. How much longer do we have to wait, Carson? I want this to be over.

Carson’s hand on his shoulder turned him to the side, I know, Jason. I don’t like it either. As soon as Zeng moves, we’ll know we’re on the last legs. Carson’s eyes went out of focus and a ghost of the pain he had kept hidden for so long surfaced on his face. Four years. I’m not proud of what we’ve done, Jason, but the end will justify the means. We’ll settle the rebellion and finally be able to go home. Don’t worry. I’m sure it will be soon. Now, finish telling me about the start of your fit.

Jason grimaced sullenly, I wish you wouldn’t call them fits. It makes them sound so childish. Anyway, after I killed the sergeant, I turned back to the other soldier I had downed. I turned him over and there was her face. Her eyes were terrified, and then I heard a man’s voice begging for mercy. I blinked and her face was gone. I stabbed him and found the biggest group of Skals I could. After that there’s nothing. He hunched forward, eyes downcast, fearing the scorn he would hear in his brother’s voice.

What did she look like, Jason, Carson asked quietly.

His voice was so insistent that Jason looked at