Path of Flames (Code Name Viridian Book 2) by Bradford Bates & Michael Anderle

Author:Bradford Bates & Michael Anderle [Bates, Bradford & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2024-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Dar’lok

Anger was the only emotion Dar’lok felt.

The rage inside him built as he stalked back and forth in front of his captains. His failed captains. There needed to be a punishment. A devastating one. The pit was too good for these Vishari. They would be an example to the others about the consequences of spectacular failure. Ordering the charge up the hill was a fool’s errand.

Madness.

“Explain to me why you came back.” Dar’lok stalked back and forth with impatience.

He couldn’t understand it. The only thing waiting for them here was death. They would have been better off scurrying off into the night like the worthless scum they were. He should have killed them the second they walked through the door. He was only letting them speak to satisfy his curiosity.

One of the captains dropped to a knee. Dar’lok had already forgotten his name. “I don’t understand the question.”

The others were still standing. Not as good. They should have been on their knees after such a failure. Pride had cost them here. Pride was costing them right now. If the idiots could think beyond any command but “charge,” they wouldn’t be in this mess.

He needed every warrior. No reinforcements were coming. This wasn’t the time to throw away lives carelessly. Every lost soldier depleted his strength. Wasting lives was depleting their strength.

He would have kept the captains alive and in lesser roles, but it was a dangerous path. Unsatisfied warriors could spread dissent faster than a virus.

“I was wondering what gave you the impression you were wanted back.” Dar’lok looked among the men. “All I see is failure. The only thing left for you here is disgrace.”

One of the idiots grunted in disagreement.

Dar’lok darted forward. The dagger from his belt came up in one smooth motion. The look of surprise on the other captains’ faces was worth getting his armor dirty. He impaled his dagger under the Vishari’s chin. The blade lodged in his brain, and the body started to spasm. The brain finally caught up to the reality of what happened. Dar’lok held the body, letting it twitch in front of the others. It was a good look at their futures.

One of the captains finally understood the depths of his failure. Sadly, he would never get to learn from the mistake. The lack of discipline would not be tolerated. An example would be made. He looked over the others, wondering who was next in line for immediate correction.

There was a stomach-turning slurp when Dar’lok pulled the dagger free. With nothing holding the captain upright, his body fell to the ground. It gave one final twitch and stopped moving. Flat, still, and as worthless in death as he was in life. Blood leaked from the hole in his chin.

There wasn’t an ounce of pity in Dar’lok. He was immovable as a mountain.

The only sadness he felt was the shame his family would face. A Vishari with any honor would have died charging up the hill with his men. Only a coward would run away.

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