More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Read between
July 21 - August 11, 2025
“You know,” Vlora said, shooting him a sour look, “you could leave off the ‘for now.’ It just sounds ominous.”
Besides, right now he’s our monster.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?” “I did, actually. Twice. You assured me both times that you’d heard every word I was saying.” “I lied.”
“Instinct is just a word we use to describe all the little bits of information your senses collect and how your brain interprets them. Instincts can be improved.”
“They’re as surprised as we are. God damn it, we must have taken out each other’s scouts.”
“You want us to split into three groups against a superior force? Are you mad?”
“Because I don’t think Dynize cuirassiers carry lances. Or ride down their own troops. Or have a big, ugly bastard leading the charge.”
But there was a statement to be made by dragging the enemy general across the bloody field. What it was, he hadn’t yet decided, but he was certain it was there.
“No one should have to be perfectly sober in a city occupied by an enemy force.”
“The spirits say you’re a man of madness. They say Death walks in your footsteps just to find an easier road. Some of them fear you. Some hate you. Some like you.” Jackal’s eyes narrowed. “The ones that like you are not sound of mind.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just don’t do it.”
“Why are you still alive?” he whispered between gritted teeth. Styke squatted beside him, knife loose in his hand. Above them both, the woman stood at the window, wailing. “Because none of the gods have invented anything to kill me yet,”
“Does he use it?” “Often, from what I’ve heard. Chops off the hands of people who anger him, the feet of people who betray him, and the heads of his enemies.” “And your people call us savages?”
The woman spoke. “Ka-Sedial was right not to underestimate you, Ben Styke,” she said quietly. “Kill him.” The word had barely left her mouth when a blast went off nearby and the top of her head exploded. Her mouth remained open, her face fixed in an expression of mild annoyance, before she toppled off her mount and to the ground.
“One of these days you’re going to run out of things your da used to say.” Celine tilted her head to one side and reached up, taking Styke’s hand. “He did talk a lot.”
“How do you feel?” Emerald said, sitting down beside him. “I’m… not sure. I’m having trouble thinking, and I can barely move. I don’t feel pain. At least, I don’t think I do. My chest is very warm.” “That is your body attempting to feel pain.
“I’ve always known I was a killer, a monster. But I never thought of myself as a hypocrite.” “And this is bothering you more than murder?” Ibana asked. “Yeah. Yeah, I think it is.” “You’re a strange man, Ben Styke.”
“He was a prick, and everyone knew it.” “Great men can be pricks,” Dvory said.
He flipped it, caught it, and looked at the result. How, he wondered, did Tenik resist looking at that result every time? It was a natural human urge, wasn’t it? To know how something ended?
“I think you’ll be a lot of fun.” Said the cat to the mouse,
Figure out what you are, and be it. But don’t toy with people beneath you, and don’t waste the lives of my lancers.”
I know what pain is, you old lizard. I’ve had to stand next to you for more than ten minutes at a time, haven’t I?”
“The last time I saw you, you’d been shot.” “Shot?” Olem echoed. “I thought you said she was fine?” “Fine-ish.”
We’ve timed seven different explosions to occur in split-second intervals. This is top science, Vlora. God sorcery can eat my shit.”
“Trust me,” Vlora told him. “If Flerring says to duck, then we duck.”
“Ancient sorcery, meet modern science.”
“We don’t need an army. We’re the Mad Lancers.”
“He’s laughing,” Lindet said softly, forcing Dvory to turn toward her, “because you have no idea who we are. Ben will save me if he can, just as I would him. But death? We’ve stared at our own deaths since childhood. You think to cow us with fear?” Lindet gave a warm, almost happy chuckle. “If you kill me, I am dead. I doubt Ben will mourn me long. I don’t deserve it. But I am his blood, and he will avenge me.” She paused, looking up into the eyes of Ji-Orz. “We laugh because whatever happens to me, the rest of you are already dead. Ben, kill them all.”
We’re going to wait until Lindet’s been gone for three days. Then we’re going to commandeer her fleet and invade Dynize. Sound good?” Ibana straightened, a fierce grin on her face. “With our armor? That sounds wonderful.”
