The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1)

by James Islington

“You know what I mean. The way you talk with each other is more than just friendliness.” He gives me a leering grin. “It’s not like that.” I try not to look in Emissa’s direction, hoping she’s not going to ask what we’re talking about. “It should be.”

We stop as we come to the point of divergence in our paths. Emissa holds my gaze, merriment in her green eyes. “Good luck tomorrow. I’ll be cheering for you.” She peels off toward the girls’ dormitory, waving casually without looking back. It takes me a moment to realise she said it in Cymrian.

Emissa youre so cool

“Enough.” There’s an unusual tension in his voice. “You don’t have to tell me, but don’t lie to my face.” I shove down a sudden discomfort, refusing to let a misplaced sense of guilt make me waver. “What do you mean?” “You’ve read books that most of the Thirds wouldn’t bother to try. Speak dead languages. Duel using styles I’ve never even heard of before.” He glares at me, never once breaking eye contact. “You’re about as middle-class Aquirian as I am.”

Then beyond, I see Callidus. Everyone else is watching in stunned horror. He’s just beaming, a fist raised high in silent, jubilant victory. Celebrating for me. Celebrating with me.

“They ask something small of you. A thing you would prefer not to do, but is not so terrible. You think you are working your way up, but in fact they are changing you. Moulding you into what they think you should be, one compromise at a time.”

He studies me, then gives a short acknowledgment. “Tomorrow night, then.” He turns and walks off. But I swear I see him smile as he does so.

The decision may have been made by the few, Diago, but it’s the Will of the many that killed your family.”

“You hurt any of them,” I say softly, voice shaking, “and on my oath, I will burn you and the Anguis to the ground. No matter the cost.”

Her presence, our familiar banter, has been the one thing that has helped take my mind off our destination. Kept me sane.

Find myself half smiling again at some of her witticisms, a glad warmth in my stomach as I lie there. I don’t know if I could have finished the day sane, if not for her.

Welp shes betraying us

We just sit like that. After a while her trembling stops, her breathing eases. I realise, with a soft chuckle, she’s fallen asleep.

I’m still deep in thought when I round the final twist in the tunnel. I don’t notice that I’m not alone until I see movement. By then it’s too late.

I calmly move my piece, then meet her horrified gaze. There’s a murmur, soft at first, then rising, as some of the students see what’s about to happen. “What are you doing?” Belli mumbles, maintaining a façade of calm. She moves again, giving me an out. I don’t take it. “Showing you what consequences look like.” I’m past her defences now. Her pyramid’s broken, and I’m going to be capturing pieces for the next several turns. “Not pleasant seeing your trust betrayed, is it?”

Hes so cool holy shit

“How did you know about that?” “Emissa told me.” I thought he’d already figured that out. “How did she know?” My heart skips a beat as I process the question. “She said you told her.” “She lied.”

He slips first into a rasping unconsciousness, perhaps an hour after we start out. I try to wake him, but it’s to no avail. I know that if I stop, I won’t be able to go on again. So I keep moving. Keep carrying him. Still talk, now and then, even though I know he can’t hear me. Encourage him. Exhort him. Demand he stay alive.

I lay Callidus gently on the stone at Veridius’s feet. Meet his gaze, then Emissa’s stunned, horrified one. Put all my venom into my voice, keeping it low so that only they two can hear. Blood coats every part of my skin. I must look a nightmare made flesh. “I’m going to make sure you burn for this.”

I wanted him to be alive. To be real. I wanted it more badly than anything I have ever wanted. The realisation breaks something in me. I shake with sobs. Tears and snot trickling down my face. Near four years of scars, opened in an instant. “I’m so alone,” I whisper to him. I feel the words with all my hopeless heart.

“Death is only meaningless if it does not change us, Vis.”

“My name is Caeror.