Discarded Gods: A Bastard Cadre Story Read online

  “The living do,” Mattatan said.

  Ethan studied his friend. He couldn’t find any words, so he turned back to the car and the task of taking inventory.

  “The boy could heal himself. It was his talent. We think the pintaran knew that and it deliberately lied to you.”

  Ethan nodded. It made sense. “It used Taro. What can you tell me about the pintaran, Sarlyn?”

  “We don’t know a lot. We didn’t even know its name,” Mattatan said.

  “Has Obdurin crossed the pintarans, or is this an isolated thing?”

  “We don’t know. Lord Obdurin’s enemies are adding up.”

  Ethan looked up from his chores, thinking that sounded perilously close to a criticism for a first-sworn bondsan.

  “I have to ask you what you’re planning to do now,” Mattatan said.

  Ethan understood the relevance of the phrase I have to ask. Obdurin wanted to know his intentions, and Mattatan wanted Ethan to know he was only asking because he had to.

  “I thought he didn’t want to know where the cadre is.”

  “He doesn’t,” Mattatan confirmed. When Ethan continued to watch him, Mattatan said, “He’s worried that if he knows, Rhysin will know, and if Rhysin knows, Obdurin’s successor will know.”

  “Why is that a problem?”

  Mattatan looked along the length of the basement parking lot. A member of his cadre waited for him some distance away.

  Ethan didn’t think Mattatan would answer, but he did. “I think you were right about Lord Obdurin, back when you served him. I think he wants to change how things are and I think the cadre this boy will lead is part of that change.”

  “How?” Ethan demanded, shocked that Mattatan had expressed an opinion about Obdurin’s motives.

  “I don’t know. But if Lord Obdurin falls and is replaced, I don’t believe he wants the cadre to come back to Peak City and whoever takes his place.”

  “You make it sound like he’s acting without his God’s approval.”

  Mattatan’s expression remained blank. “All he wants to know is if you intend to protect this child.”

  Ethan climbed up into the car and closed the door behind him. He nodded. “I will. I told Obdurin I would, and I told Marin I would. That hasn’t changed.”

  “What has changed?” Mattatan asked.

  Ethan considered for a moment. Whatever he told Mattatan would inevitably get back to Lord Obdurin, that was the nature of the bond between the Chosen and his first-sworn and Ethan didn’t resent his friend for that.

  He said, “I was wrong, and you’re wrong. Obdurin isn’t trying to make the world a better place. He’s playing his God’s games, and people die in those games. Marin died, and Taro died. Maria died. You and I follow protocols to stay alive, but if it wasn’t for the Chosen and their Gods and their damn games, we wouldn’t need to. I’ll raise this child and protect him, but I’ll never send him back to Peak City.”

  Ethan instructed the car to leave the parking lot. As it backed out, Mattatan asked him, “When you jumped with the pintaran, how did you know I’d catch you?”

  Ethan smiled sadly at his friend and lied, “Protocol.”

  Defy the Gods.

  * * *

  Avril was raised salvaging tech in the dead cities left behind after the apocalypse. He was happy avoiding the Chosen's holy wars, but a chance encounter with a broken-down motorist reveals people are coming for him. Whether he wants it or not, he has a role to play in the holy wars and life will never be the same again. Neutrality is not an option for Avril as forces on all sides of the conflict learn who and what he is and set plans in motion to use him to gain the upper hand.

  * * *

  The Bastard Cadre

  Also by Lee Carlon

  The Bastard Cadre

  Discarded Gods

  1. The Bastard Cadre

  2. The Godslayers’ Legacy

  3. The Dead God’s Shadow

  4. The Lord of Frake’s Peak

  5. Taunting the Devil

  6. Hell’s Breath (forthcoming)