Wartorn Obliteration

She shook her head. Even if that were true, she had sufficient will and determination to make her own destiny.

Raven returned to her tent. She had a private one now, as an officer. She received a few more visits from various company commanders and explained to them how the informant system would work. All the officers were at least willing to go along with it. Some were enthusiastic about it.

She did the same thing with commanding mages from the magic-using units. She noticed that these wizards, though still reflexively wary, were more relaxed than they were when she had first joined this army. That had to be due to Weisel's ecumenical policies that didn't exclude these magicians from any of the benefits enjoyed by the regular troops.

Night was falling. Raven had been prepared to report to General Weisel all day regarding the headway she was making in getting Military Security set up and operating. But she had received no summons.

Instead, she settled down to write up a report. The general could look it over at his leisure.

You're disappointed that you haven't heard from him? Vadya asked.

Raven frowned. What makes you ask that?

Just a feeling...

I thought we weren't supposed to be able to feel each other's feelings, not unless they're very strong. That gave Raven sudden pause. Was she actually so concerned that General Weisel hadn't summoned her? Was it because she had developed passionate feelings for him after that one unexpected night?

That was childish. She shook her head sharply.

Vadya, I have a great respect for you, but kindly do not fill my head with such nonsense.

As you wish.

Raven finished writing her report, then summoned a messenger to take it to General Weisel. The messenger was a young man, nearly still a boy, with soft eyes and hair the same color as hers. Raven noticed his eyes lingering on her.

Her lips twisted slightly. 'Do you find me attractive, soldier?'

He gaped, not knowing quite what to do. In the end, it was probably his youthful urges that decided for him. 'Y-yes. You're very beautiful.' He gulped, uncertain if he'd gone too far.

'I suppose you'd like to feel this body, to taste these lips, wouldn't you?' She hovered a step closer to him, watching his face flush.

He was very uncomfortable, but also very obviously aroused. 'Oh y-yes. I would...'

Raven's features suddenly hardened, and she spat, 'Well, fraternization between officers and enlisted personnel is forbidden. After you deliver that to the general, go put yourself on report.' She spun away, hearing the befuddled messenger exit the tent.

She smiled to herself.

Did you enjoy that? asked Vadya.

I did. What of it?

Now, don't be terse. There's no reason you shouldn't enjoy the power that comes with this body. Believe me, I know what it can do.

Raven sat down in her chair, suddenly tired. Today had been a long and active day.

Tell me something, Vadya, Raven said.

Do you want to know about the many men I've slept with? Vadya asked.

No, Raven said firmly. I would very much like to know why you agreed to be my host. She waited. Vadya had avoided this question once already.

I think you're ready to hear it now, she finally said.

Raven listened eagerly.

Vadya said, I recognized that you were in a position of significant power. You are balanced between the emperor and the general. You can affect both men, without exposing yourself to the direct rigors of visible power. There is truly nothing worse than being the one in command, Raven. You have to answer for your mistakes, and the more power you have, the bigger those mistakes will be. But, if you're only the whispering advisor, the unofficial consultant...

Raven blinked. 'Then you can make your moves without anyone being aware you are the source,' she said aloud, in wonder.

Not even the person you are manipulating, Vadya added with some satisfaction.

It was a shocking revelation. Then your loyalty to Matokin is—Raven started.

Is very real, Vadya finished, firmly. I believe in Matokin's aim to unite the Isthmus. But he will make mistakes. All men do. I've seen it happen, over and over. They bumble and fumble.

But you know better? Raven asked, dubiously.

I know differently. I am a special sort of woman, Raven, and therefore you are as well. I know the carnal secrets of many men. I know how they think. I know how they compete with each other, even when cooperation would serve everyone better. I know their jealousies, their stupidities. I know that Matokin distrusts Weisel and that Weisel has misgivings about Matokin. I know this because it must be. They are both men.

Raven felt dazed. What Vadya said was of course true. Raven knew firsthand. Raven was spying on Weisel for Lord Matokin, after all; and General Weisel had spoken what amounted to outright treason against the emperor.

How do you propose to use my... our... position to affect anything? Raven asked.

There was another silent pause. Then Vadya said, If either man becomes a threat to the overall success of the empire, we will see that he dies. It's very simple.

Raven closed her eyes. She pushed away Vadya's voice, pushed herself toward a quiet corner of their shared mind. She wanted only to retreat, to give herself time to absorb this.

At that moment, however, a messenger, different from the one before, asked for entry into her tent and told her that General Weisel wished to see her. It was by now rather late.

Raven straightened up her uniform and made for the general's well-guarded pavilion. She was passed through.

'General,' she said, saluting, still in something of a daze.

Weisel gave her a smile. But there was something cold and morose about it. 'Raven, you've lived all your life on this Isthmus, right?'

She blinked. 'Where else would I live, sir?' She realized belatedly that her reply was a bit impertinent. The Northern and Southern Continents were, after all, well inhabited. But those cultures were so different from those of the Isthmus.

Weisel grunted. He was drinking something and looked like he had been drinking it awhile.

'What is it about the people of this Isthmus?' he wondered aloud.

'Sir?'

He fixed her with his eyes. 'I mean, why don't they fight back? Why is it that all this army has ever met has been the most pitiful, most pathetic resistance in the history of warfare!'

He didn't wait for an answer. He ranted on like that for some time, asking rhetorical questions. He actually seemed upset about the lack of organized resistance his military had met. But that, Raven thought, made no sense.

You see? Vadya said as Raven patiently and silently listened to the general, knowing that afterward he would take her to his bed. They look to make trouble for themselves when there is no trouble. We will have to watch this general.

Yes, Raven conceded. We will.