Wartorn Obliteration

'It is. But when it is complete there will be a vast network in place, one that I can use to monitor any serious dissent in the ranks.'

The officer mulled it over, then nodded. 'Essentially, you're getting the soldiers to spy on themselves.'

Raven was mildly annoyed. She didn't much like that word, spy. Then she shrugged. 'If you want to see it that way.'

'I think it's a marvelous idea, to be honest. When you first told me you were the new Military Security chief, I had uneasy thoughts about rank-and-file soldiers being suddenly arrested for muttering a single complaint about army life. I imagined agents scuttling about everywhere, keeping everyone on edge. But that's not what you have in mind, is it?'

Raven shook her blond-haired head. 'No. Specifically, General Weisel doesn't want to foster that sort of environment for his troops. But keeping an eye out for any genuinely mutinous attitudes is only prudent. Particularly after that assassination attempt.'

The officer nodded, gravely now. 'Yes. And that poor girl who I hear died in his place. I can't remember her name. She must have been quite brave.'

'I would say she was,' Raven said.

She dismissed the officer and met with a few more. That network was indeed falling into place. It would be as effective as the structure that had assured the loyalty of the students at the Academy, without putting anyone through the undue stresses of such harsh discipline. She was pleased with the progress she was making in her new important position. She hoped Weisel would be pleased as well.

The general, of course, was busy with the occupation of Trael. Or at least select members of his senior staff were, those who had handled the occupations of Callah, Windal, and Sook. A governor would have to be appointed for Trael, and a garrison assigned to the captured city, though maybe these things had already been seen to.

Raven hadn't met with the general since that surprising and glorious occasion the night before the invasion, when she and Weisel had... had... she still blushed a little to think about it, despite her experiences with this new body. Certainly she had always found the general attractive. He was handsome enough and had also shown her the sort of attention she couldn't seem to get from Matokin.

When he had seduced her, it was still a shock, though a pleasant one. He was a masterful lover. Even Vadya had remarked on it. He was as decisive and forceful in bed as he was on a battlefield.

She was still using the name Raven. No one in the field here would recognize the face of Lady Vadya, courtesan of Felk. Raven, after all, was a common enough name. Her recent promotion from liaison officer to head of Military Security had been very well timed, she noted. As far as anybody knew, Raven was a plump homely girl who had died saving the general's life, and this new Raven, so elegant and beautiful, was someone else entirely.

It had been explained to her that resurrection magic was a secret Matokin wanted kept. She wasn't to go about telling anyone that she was sharing this living vessel with another person's consciousness.

The bulk of the army was presently encamped just south of Trael, while fresh conscripts from that city were processed and given a fast course in soldiering.

Now was a good time to report to Matokin and Abraxis, back at Felk. Raven sought out the Far Speak mage Berkant. Like Weisel, he knew the full truth of her identity. She had contacted the wizard previously, whenever she needed to make private communications with Lord Matokin.

He ushered her into his tent. 'Sit and wait,' he said. 'I'll arrange it.'

Raven sat. She watched Berkant take up a piece of fabric, squeezing it, concentrating. A moment later, all expression washed from his face.

'Raven, what do you have to report?' Berkant's lips moved, and it was his voice that spoke, but the tone was different. Raven knew that Matokin himself was originating these words and passing them on, via the Far Speak magic.

'Lord Matokin,' she said, 'there have been some interesting developments...'

She went on to quickly detail her promotion and what the goals of the newly formed Military Security were. She demurely omitted the tryst she and Weisel had shared. It was something, she knew, that she should report but somehow she couldn't bring herself to do so. The event had been too private. Too special.

Matokin, speaking through Berkant, cut her off. 'Military Security?' he barked. 'What is he playing at? I never authorized any such agency. Does he think he can have an independent bureau, separate and autonomous from Internal Security, just because he wants it? The audacity!'

Raven was taken aback. She swallowed. 'I, uh, didn't consider the implications—'

'Oh, I don't blame you, Raven. In fact, you did exactly the proper thing by accepting the position. Weisel imagines he can run the army like it's his own sovereign state? Let him try. Now we have you as the chief of his security corps. And you belong to us.' Berkant, face still slack, let out an eerie laugh.

'Yes, Lord,' Raven said, obediently.

'Carry on then, Raven. Lord Abraxis will find all this most amusing.'

Berkant's hand opened, and the piece of fabric dropped out of it. The mage's eyes cleared. Raven reflexively thanked him for his time and exited the tent.

She was deep in thought. Matokin had said, You belong to us. Raven discovered, somewhat to her surprise, that she didn't like the way that sounded. Maybe it was just too bluntly stated. Maybe it hit too close to home. No one wanted to be owned by another person, even if that person was the most powerful man in the empire. Even if Matokin was her father. She wanted to be a part of him, yes, but...

It was complicated.

I think you're simply feeling the first real stirrings of independence, Raven.

Raven acknowledged the quiet, steady voice of wisdom and experience within her.

Perhaps I am, Raven conceded:

It's all a part of growing up, Vadya added.

Raven considered that a moment. She was nearly two tenwinters old. She had thought of herself as an adult for some while now. It was possible she had been mistaken.

It's... difficult.

Growing up always is, Vadya said.

* * *

Though Vadya had willingly ceded physical control of her body to Raven, that body still had its physical memories intact. It moved with a natural grace that Raven didn't need to consciously exert.

Even so, she had learned more than a thing or two about gait, deportment, and general appearance. Despite the relative hardships of being out here in the field, Raven was managing to maintain her appearance. She already had this borrowed beauty, to be sure, but with the application of a little consistent hygiene she could make herself look truly stunning.

Cleanliness had never meant much to her before. Her mother had once hoped she would flower into a beauty. But it hadn't happened. The body she had been born into simply wasn't made that way. Now, however, she had surpassed any expectations of loveliness her mother could have ever entertained about her daughter.

Perhaps someday she would return to the village of her birth, to show her mother what she had become, to show all those horrid people there who had been so cruel to her...

No. There was no going back. No one would recognize her. No one would believe that she was the same Raven, not even her mother.

In point of fact, she wasn't the same Raven. Not at all. She was a blond beauty who held a key position of power in the new Felk Empire. She was caught in an intrigue between the two most powerful players in that empire, Matokin and Weisel.

One man was her father. The other was her lover. Could things get more interesting than that?

She felt an odd pang of guilt and realized that it was over her reporting to Matokin about Weisel's activities. But that was what she was supposed to do. Matokin had assigned her the task, and she was compelled, because of her loyalty, to obey.

But what of her loyalty to Weisel? Surely the general would not be pleased if he discovered that she was spying for Matokin. Then again, maybe he already knew. Both those men were very complex, very shrewd. It might be that Raven was merely a piece in a game being played between them.