Where the Dead Wait

by Ally Wilkes

Always one step ahead, Stevens gives voice to things Day won’t dare to articulate. As if he speaks directly to Day’s heart, his blackest and most awful heart.

“No.” Stevens’s face darkens. “Not if you want to lead them afterwards. Trust me on this, Will. It needs to come from you, and you alone.”

Seems like Steven's is the king of manipulation.

Talbot had known full well that he was dying. The book of Job had been meant to prepare Day for the burden of command. “Some men are too stupid,” the captain had said. “Or too cowardly. Incapable of making decisions. Some are too greedy, too ambitious, too cruel. It’s no accident you’ll be taking charge, William. You’re a good man.” This good man had killed sixteen men. And Talbot had given Day another instruction: “That man, though—don’t give him a command.”

If this land is savage, Day thinks, it’s because we brought our savagery with us.