The March of the Black Queen - Prologue: Four Years Ago (464 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 1.77 on 12 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Leonore (View user info) at 2008-05-02 16:05:02 EDT
Special Investigator I heard the reconnaissance officer approach well before he ducked into his tent, and well knew what the footsteps meant. The smallish man, dressed in black trousers and jerkin with a scarf covering his face in such a way that even the thickest peasant would know they were up to something, pushed his way inside and stood there, silent, looking down at him seated in his chair. Special Investigator I knew that he was attempting to intimidate him; he also knew that the desire to do so was birthed by fear, fear of asking him to do it again. Special Investigator I was fine with that.
He spoke, breaking the tension. "You're needed."
That was all he said. Recon, the Eyes, loved to play at acting as though they were part of some kind of elite, clandestine organization. Tosh; they were nothing more than glorified paper-pushers, no more spies than stray dogs in the street, baying at doors for scraps.
He stood. "I am at Her Majesty's disposal, of course." The Eye turned neatly on his heel and pushed the flap of the tent back to allow him outside. The night wind was up and cool, heavy with the oncoming rain. Thunder groaned across the sky. The camp was lit with a thousand smouldering campfires; most of the force had already turned in for the night, their job already mostly finished.
Just a little more left to do.
He pulled his mantle tightly around his shoulders and followed the Eye to a larger tent with two infantry stationed outside. Inside, seated on the ground, arms bound behind him with rope, was an aging, rotund man dressed in what he figured were the best bedclothes money could possibly buy. This man was rich. This man was someone.
It came to him. Alazred Saladon. His heart skipped a beat.
General of the Allied Forces.
He turned involuntarily to the Eye and began to express his incredulity, but the obscured figure cut him off, stepping close to him. "Do what must be done," he hissed sharply. "Then you're free."
He lowered his voice to a murmur. "But how-"
"That is of no consequence to you. Perform your duty."
He paused. The Eyes often took captives, that was widely known, but this was far beyond what he thought them capable. From the corner of his vision, he could see the Eye reaching slowly for the knife sheathed at his side, and he held up a hand. "Wait," he said, and heaved a sigh. "I'll do it." He turned back to the General, who looked up at him mournfully. Undoubtedly he knew what was about to happen; a coldness gripped the pit of his stomach, and his breath came hard.
Special Investigator I turned to the Eye. "Leave us."
He shook his head. "No chance."
"I don't do this in front of others, you know that."
"This man is of too great importance to be left alone with the likes of you. Her Majesty has insisted that the report you deliver is absolutely accurate. I will ensure that accuracy."
"What reason would I have to lie? I've been promised my freedom after this is done."
"That is precisely the reason. Now, on with it."
He closed his eyes and lowered his head for a moment, realizing that he was doing specifically what he told himself he would not; he was reconsidering. He knew the moment he had made the deal that doing so had been an incredible mistake, that the Throne would take as much advantage of his talents as they could before they released him, and now it was coming to pass.
Freedom? Or righteousness?
He clenched his fist, the ache in his heart telling him that his decision was already made. He knelt beside the General and spoke to him in a whisper. "For all that is good, just tell them now. They won't give you another chance."
The General raised his head suddenly and spat on him. "Do what you must!" he snarled. "I'll go to my grave knowing I was honourable to the last. I will not betray my kinsmen no matter what you threaten to do!"
He placed a hand on his head. "I am sorry. I hope in the afterlife you can forgive me." He stood and spoke in a voice loud enough for the Eye to hear. "General Alazred Saladon, you will reveal your army's plan for tomorrow's battle." A strange electricity began to gather in the air...
"I curse you, mewling infants suckling at the abscessed bosom of your Black Queen! Your rule will not last!"
Those were the last words he would ever speak. The air grew thick with something and he convulsed, falling backward, his eyes filled with terror. He frantically attempted to scamper backward, as though attempting to flee from something unseen, and he began to howl. His screams pierced the air and he struggled in vain against his bonds. Foam collected in the corners of his mouth, and he shut his eyes but continued screaming, his body twisting one way and then the other, until his arms broke. He did not even seem to notice.
Finally, though, he told them what Her Majesty's generals needed to know, just before he was reduced to a heap of twitching flesh upon the ground, murmuring nonsense. Special Investigator I wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to the Eye, still standing placidly near the entrance. "It is done."
"So it is." He reached into his cloak and produced a bit of rolled parchment. "Your discharge, signed as agreed." He offered it to him, but withdrew it as he reached. "You know that we are everywhere, particularly now, on the eve of Her Majesty's greatest victory. I advise you to live your life...quietly."
He snatched the discharge from his hand and stared into his eyes. "Worry not." He slipped it into his breast pocket and stepped back out into the night wind.
"A quiet life," he said to himself, and began to make his way out of the camp.
"That sounds good."
===
"(I)n such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners,
it is the job of thinking people, not to be on the side of the executioners."
- Albert Camus
[to be continued...]
User Reviews
Submitted by frankthebear (user info) at 2008-05-07 00:52:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 Queen reference
Submitted by orph (user info) at 2008-05-06 07:07:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
more
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2008-05-05 09:29:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2008-05-03 13:26:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by X54 (user info) at 2008-05-02 18:56:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Good point. I assumed it was a "one" after trying to read it as an "I," which sounded grammatically incorrect.
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2008-05-02 18:53:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Was it supposed to be Special Investigator I, or 1? The fonts of Uber suck.
Submitted by X54 (user info) at 2008-05-02 18:06:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I found the opening confusing. I couldn't distinguish between Special Investigator 1 and the reconnaissance officer until about halfway through. Then I had to go back and start over.
That said, once I got past the confusion, I enjoyed it. The Black Queen and her subjects seem very menacing indeed and deserving of an ass kicking.
Based on the quote at the end, I'm guessing Special Investigator 1 apps,dh Udldoap :apahsl ks ug.d yap;d glysomakgsl ,jgij ,gpp ros.d hg;a;kosf; ks kjd Npaiv Xfddlq; ysoid; ksmsoos,e
I'm looking forward to the continuation!
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2008-05-02 17:11:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Dinner!
Submitted by Leonore (user info) at 2008-05-02 16:33:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2008-05-02 16:23:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
2 things:
the "Special Investigator" text looked like it was inserted or otherwise wasn't supposed to be there and it looked fucked up.
with two male characters and no names, the constant "He" got things a little mixed up in a couple spots.
Identify someone, give us a basic outline, a way to visualize. It generates interest.
===
Noted. The Special Investigator malarky is dropped after this. He quits, after all. I just didn't want to identify him fully for his little bit.
Submitted by shadow (user info) at 2008-05-02 16:26:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yes, and what the GodChicken said.
Submitted by shadow (user info) at 2008-05-02 16:26:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
huh.
Hmmmmm.
I'm not sure what to make of this, but it has all the trappings of something I'd like more of.
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2008-05-02 16:23:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
2 things:
the "Special Investigator" text looked like it was inserted or otherwise wasn't supposed to be there and it looked fucked up.
with two male characters and no names, the constant "He" got things a little mixed up in a couple spots.
Identify someone, give us a basic outline, a way to visualize. It generates interest.