Author's notes:
Fair warning: This chapter will include combat.
About the language and notation:
The Baylon language is a predecessor to Latin, which is why it looks like Latin at a glance.
Mental communication is denoted by a < and ends with a >, so a mental communication will look like this: "< Who are you? >"
Some warnings
:
This is erotic action adventure, meaning that there will be both sex and violence, but I don't mix the two.
This story is posted on the Literotica website and the author does not give permission for it to be reposted or reprinted anywhere else without consent.
P.S. I haven't gotten an editor yet, so any mistakes are mine. Interested editors are welcome :)
P.P.S. While you're here anyway, please rate the chapter and leave a comment :)
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Chapter 32 -- Flashback: A hectic day
The Capitol of Baylon, Baylon
The first thing I saw, when I opened my eyes again, was Verina, who was sitting in a chair, looking thoughtful as she stared out of the window. Dressed in a silk kimono as usual, she looked just as beautiful and sexy as she always did.
I mentally checked my body, but everything seemed to be fine, so I said, "Hey Verina... You have no idea how good to see you."
Verina jumped up with a smile and ran over to the bed, giving me a hug. "Welcome back to the world."
"Thanks." I said, as I hugged her back. "How long have I been out?"
"Eight days and that's only because you're a very good healer. The hospital Healers thought that you would be out for ten days." Verina said matter-of-factly. "What happened? We were close enough to feel you using the
Verum Forma
, but when we arrive and finally found you, you were almost dead."
I coughed, so she handed me a glass of water and I emptied it before I explained about the combat. However, speaking made my throat hurt, so halfway through the story, I switched to mental communication.
When I was finished, Verina nodded. "Yeah, that's more or less what I thought had happened, but when we arrived, the remaining three had disappeared."
"< I guessed that much... Have you figured out what Nequams were doing there? >"
Her blue eyes grew wide in surprise. "You don't know? You were on the island with the Western Anchor."
I shook my head. Both the Southern and Western Anchor was located on small islands, making them ideal for the use of Nequams. "I didn't know, but it makes sense. Did anything happen?"
Verina shook her head. "No, but the general opinion is, that if you haven't tracked them, something would have happened. During the week, and before any reinforcements could be arranged, they tried to penetrate the security at the Southern Anchor as well but failed. The security at all the anchors have been increased, but I can't tell you much more due to the usual security."
I nodded slowly. Almost everything about the Dimensional Anchors was on a need-to-know basis and until now, we hadn't needed to know.
A growl from my stomach told me I needed some food, so I mentally said, "< Fair enough, now I'll get my clothes and talk to the doctor so that we can get out of here. I really need some solid food >"
"Yeah. Magic can keep you alive, but it doesn't fill your stomach." said Verina and nodded in the direction of a closet. "Your clothes and weapons are in the closet over there." She smiled a bit. "There's also an envelope I was ordered to give you as soon as possible."
I got out of the bed, walked over to the closet, and opened it.
There were clothes in the closet, but they didn't look like mine. Then I remembered that the Nequams had shredded my jacket and shirt to bits during the combat, so somebody must have supplied me with new clothes.
The envelope Verina had talked about was placed so I couldn't avoid noticing it, so I ignored the clothes and took the envelope instead. Somewhat puzzling, it was heavier than it looked and closed with the seal of the Ordo Gladius, so I channelled a minute amount of Vis into it, making it break open. With a slight shrug I unfolded it. An emblem fell out, but I caught it before it hit the floor and looked at it, stunned at what I saw.
"Is that what I think it is?" Asked Verina.
"Only if you think that it's a Captain's insignia." I said slowly and shook my head as I read the letter.
Dear Vice Captain Emilian
Congratulations on your promotion to Inquisitor Captain of the Ordo Gladius. This is a well-deserved recognition for your outstanding service to the Baylon Empire.
Best wishes for continued success.
Sincerely,
Master Vibius of Ordo Arbites,
Head of the Promotion Board for Ordo Presidium
"You got to be flaming kidding me." I mumbled to myself and then looked at Verina. "What happened?"
The only way I could be promoted to Captain after only five years as a Vice Captain was if one of those higher up in the ranks had died, resigned, or otherwise were declared unfit of active duty.
"Dominus Oscius resigned a few days ago due to old age, and Senior Captain Bantius announced that she's pregnant, which naturally placed her on non-combat duty." Replied Verina with a sigh.