The fall of Lorit Options

[Jac]

This is an expanson of a short story I posted awhile ago. Comments and critiques are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

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Sunlight streamed through the open shutters over Thadius’s face as he lay on the bed. He grunted and threw an arm over his eyes before turning towards the wall. A delicate finger caressed his ear as a soft voice whispered into it, “Thadius, it’s time to get up dear.”

“Bah. They can’t begrudge me a few more minutes sleep, Lorit.”

“Thadius, you need to get up now, dear. You know how the Legion is. If you’re late again…”

Thadius sighed and rolled over to face her. He opened his eyes and smiled as he looked into her brown eyes. He brushed a finger over darkened skin and through her short red hair. “I know, Lorit, I know. It’s just that-“

Lorit silenced him with a finger on his lips. “Shh. Enough of that, Thadius. It’s time for you to get dressed.”

“Yes dear.”

Groaning, he rose from the bed and slowly changed into his uniform. Lorit rose from the bed, her lithe body glowing in the sunlight as she helped buckle him into his cuirass. He turned around and embraced her, tracing a finger down her bare spine. “How did I get so lucky as to find you, Lorit?”

Lorit smiled at him and tousled his short brown hair. “Because you’re so good to me, Thadius. But if you don’t leave soon, that may change.” She poked his chest playfully before bringing his head down for a kiss. He smiled as he kissed her before reluctantly releasing her and strapping on his broadsword. He strapped his shield to his left arm and donned his helmet before opening the door and stepping outside. Lorit donned a robe and stood in the doorway watching him leave until he turned a corner. She closed the door and leaned against it for a few moments before closing the shutters, plunging the house into darkness. She lit a candle and carried it to the bed. She stepped out of her robe and lay on the bed, waiting. After what seemed like hours, she heard the door open and close softly. A figure stood by the bed, seemingly untouched by the light. A cold voice filled the room. “It is almost time, Lorit. Are you ready?”

Her breath caught as she answered, “Yes, yes I am, Reden. How much longer?”

The figure smiled as pale fingers snuffed out the light of the candle. Lorit tensed briefly as she felt the figure climb into bed, but relaxed as heat flooded through her.

[Jac]

Thadius walked quickly through the crowded streets, oblivious to those around him. The crowd instinctively parted as he passed, his mind focused on the Imperial fort. As he reached his destination, he slowed and looked at the sun. He knew he was cutting it close, but rank had its privileges. He stopped at the door and took a deep breath before opening it and stepping into the dim foyer. As he closed the door, a deep voice called out, “You’re late.”

Thadius’s knuckles turned white on the door handle as he stood in silence before relaxing his grip. He turned to the large man sitting behind a desk littered with paper and a stack of books on one end. “I’m right on time, Byron.”

Byron looked up at him from the ledger he was writing in and set down the quill pen. Crossing his arms, he leaned back the chair creaking with the effort. “Is that so, Thadius? By my reckoning, you’re late.”

“The sun hasn’t risen more than a fraction in the sky.”

“General Dagon is already here. You should have known that. Oh right, you were too busy with that…Dark Elf of yours.”

Thadius’s hands clenched into fists though he tried to keep his face passive. He walked over to the desk and leaned over it, pointing at Byron threateningly. “Don’t you dare speak about her in that manner, Byron!” Deep brown eyes studied Thadius passively as Byron uncrossed his arms and stood. “I’ll speak about her however I want to, Thadius. She is nothing more than a harlot and has no place here.”

Thadius’s fists rose menacingly. “How dare you! You take that back or I’ll-”

“You’ll what? Do you want to spend some time in the brig? If so, take that punch. I can’t wait to see what you have, boy.”

Thadius trembled with repressed rage and started to raise a fist. As he raised it to his shoulder, he stopped as another voice called out, “Enough.”

Thadius and Byron turned to the sound of steel boots echoing against the stone floor. A medium sized man with dark hair strode towards them, his brow furrowed. He stopped as he reached the table and stared at both men in turn. Thadius quickly released his fist and snapped off a salute. “General Dagon.” Byron stole a glance at Thadius before saluting as well.

Dagon returned their salutes and stared at the men in silence for a few moments. “At ease, now. I won’t have my two best officers attacking each other. Is that understood?” Without giving them a chance to respond, he continued, “The next time I see something like this, you both are going to the brig. Byron, Thadius’s choice of mates is none of your concern. Thadius, your first responsibility is to the Legion, not your mate. If you’re late again, I’ll dock your pay. Now, if you two children are done with your fighting, I have a task for you. There have been reports of people going missing without a trace and I want you two to find out what has been happening to them.”

Thadius grimaced before asking, “Why us, sir?”

“Because you two are my best investigators and one man alone would not be able to solve the disappearances. Besides, I do not have the man power to field a full investigative unit. Not that I will need one with the two of you on the case, am I correct?”

“Yes, sir. You can count on us, sir.”

“Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. I suggest you begin immediately. That is all.” He returned their salutes and spun on his heels. His boots echoed through the room as he marched back to his office.

Thadius turned to Byron with disgust. “So how is it going to be, Byron? Are we going to work together or are you going to constantly snipe at Lorit?”

Byron shrugged. “Most likely both, Thadius.”

“The war is over, Byron; your people didn’t conquer hers.”

“The war is over when I say it is over, Thadius. Now come, I’ve had enough talk about that har…woman of yours.”

“Careful, Byron. Where should we start?”