Free The Black God's War by Moses Siregar III Page A

ensure our soldiers return safely today. If their Haizzem leads them into battle, I will adjust. But I will never throw the first spear.”
    “They have thrown the first spear for nine long years. Now, while they are without their spiritual leaders, we can push them back. If we don’t stop them here, our way of life may soon be over. Your royal line could be snuffed out. Our people could be their slaves. Could you live with that karma?”
    “A man must act on his conscience. I would rather die than live by no greater principle than my own survival.”
    Indrajit glared sideways. “Be careful what you ask for. A spiritual prodigy should understand the power of his own words.”
    They rounded the edge of a red cliff wall, and the great valley opened up before them. “Look, Prince Rao. The dogs are coming to meet us.”
    Spanning across most of the horizon, the Rezzian army advanced from the east. Behind them, their dust cloud turned the blue sky ochre.
    “We are going to fight them. If you're determined to be gutless, then don’t help us drive them back to the hells.” The general looked up at the suddenly brooding sky. “No wonder your father thinks so little of you. You are weak. Less than his shadow.”
    “You’re right, General.” The voice of the sage Briraji came as a surprise.
    “Welcome, Briraji,” Rao said, “we were just—”
    “Engaging in an adolescent’s debate,” Briraji quipped. “General, I can relieve Rao from his duty and protect you now.”
    “Then do so, master sage,” Indrajit said. “Prince Rao, I have no use for you on this day.” Indrajit’s eyes bored into Rao once more. “Officers!” The general strode ahead and began giving his men directions for the coming battle.
    Rao slowed and stayed behind the commotion, but remained close enough to observe the general.
    Briraji kept pace with Rao. “You will see us using some truly amazing powers today. I have a deadly surprise for their leadership. Watch for it. It will come from the heavens.” Briraji recoiled as crackling lightning illuminated swift, dark clouds over the valley.
    The goddess Ysa, Rao realized. This storm means the royal daughter is here.
    Rao maintained a respectful tone, as his training dictated with a high-ranking sage. “I will observe your powers, Briraji, and hope to learn of them from you, when you deem me worthy enough to teach.”
    Brijaji only narrowed his eyes.
    Indrajit yelled at Rao from a dozen paces away, “I go now to defend Pawelon.”
    Rao yelled back, “I can’t sanction your aggression, but I will protect our men. This storm is from their goddess Ysa. The royal daughter must be here. She will have her own powers.”
    “Then she will be my target,” Briraji said, beside him.
    More lightning flashed between the darkening clouds.
    “We will handle them with or without you.” A rare smile appeared on Indrajit’s face, and he yelled louder so that more men could hear him. “It’s a shame the rajah’s only living son is afraid to fight a girl. If your brothers had lived, perhaps your father could have been proud of one of them. Our enemies killed the wrong ones.”
    Indrajit’s taunting felt like an icy blade cutting Rao’s heart. The general obviously knew more about Rao’s family history than he did.
    Rao moved outside the formation and let the waves of soldiers march past him. He scanned the determined faces of the rows of men marching toward the battle.
    If I can do anything about it, these men will not die today .
    He followed the troops into the valley, and climbed atop the highest rise overlooking what was to be the battlefield. Only parched shrubs, noisy insects, and black birds seemed to live at the valley floor. Hills and ditches made much of the canyon land uneven, but the armies were converging on a plain. Another great mass of Pawelon troops approached from the southern trail, but they wouldn’t be able to join the battle for some time. Because of this, the Pawelon troops