Read Blood and Iron for Free Online

the middle of the path, six grey infantry-robots behind him. He held up a hand as Kavan approached.
    ‘Greetings, Kavan.’
    ‘Hello Tams. My army marches south. Join us.’
    Tams searched back along the path.
    ‘No, Tams. Here she is.’ He pointed to Calor.
    Tams seemed disappointed.
    ‘A bluff, Kavan. A pity, seeing how times have changed. Spoole himself is coming north. We are to escort you to meet him. You’re a hero now, Kavan.’
    ‘Artemis has no heroes, Tams. That I am declared one goes to show just how hollow a shell Artemis has become. You must realize that?’ He looked at the other robot, seeking acknowledgement. When none came, he continued, ‘I’m raising my last army to march on Artemis City itself.’
    ‘No, Kavan.’
    The voice came from behind him. He turned to see five more Storm Troopers standing there, rifles pointed at the ground.
    ‘Sorry, Kavan,’ said Calor. ‘I didn’t see them. Maybe I’m not so experienced either.’
    ‘Everyone underestimates how quietly Storm Troopers can move when they want to,’ said Kavan loudly. ‘Don’t they, Forban? We fought together in Stark, I think. You served with me in the last battle in the North Kingdom.’
    ‘I did, Kavan.’
    Forban’s rifle remained pointed at the ground, but it could easily be swung in Kavan’s direction. Kavan pretended not to notice.
    ‘You are a true Artemisian, Forban. I wouldn’t expect you to follow Spoole and the rest. Join my army.’
    ‘You no longer have an army, Kavan. The battle with the North Kingdom was a battle too far. Barely fifty robots survived the final onslaught. Too many Artemisians were melted in the petrol pits . . .’
    ‘Their metal will be recovered,’ interrupted Kavan. ‘The battle ended in victory.’
    ‘Too many minds were lost,’ said Forban. ‘It’s over, Kavan. Now that Artemis controls all of Shull, it’s a time for consolidation, not conquest. You were a great leader when we were expanding, but your job is done. We need robots like Spoole to lead us now. Fall in, Kavan, we march to meet him.’
    Forban waved a hand. The grey infantryrobots shouldered their rifles and fell into position.
    ‘What if I refuse to follow?’ asked Kavan.
    ‘We pick you up and carry you.’ Behind Forban, the other four Storm Troopers had shouldered their rifles and were marching up the stone path to join their companions. ‘If you continue to fight, I will have your mind removed from your body.’
    ‘Very well, I will follow.’
    ‘And what about you?’ Forban asked Calor. ‘Who do you follow now?’
    The Scout looked at Kavan uncertainly. Ahead, she saw the grey infantryrobots looking at each other as they stood, arms sloped, awaiting the order to march. The infantry had always had an affinity with Kavan. After all, didn’t he wear the body of an infantryrobot himself? The Storm Troopers, however, had never been quite so loyal. Six infantryrobots and six Storm Troopers. And one Scout. The odds were on Forban’s side.
    ‘Well,’ prompted Forban. ‘Which will it be? Artemis, or Kavan?’
    ‘Aren’t they the same thing?’ asked Calor. Kavan smiled at that.
    Forban pointed his rifle at Calor’s head.
    ‘I wouldn’t do that,’ said Kavan.
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘There are Scouts up there in the hills. If they see you shoot one of their own they will be very unhappy. And they will talk to each other. How far do we have to walk through these hills?’
    ‘I do what is best for Artemis.’
    ‘Forban,’ said Kavan. ‘I led an army across Shull. Listen to my advice. Let her be.’
    Forban looked from Calor to Kavan and back again. Slowly he lowered his rifle.
    ‘Very well. We march. Watch the Scout.’
    The Storm Troopers took a step forward. The grey infantry remained still. They were looking unhappily at each other. Forban rounded on them.
    ‘What’s the matter?’ he shouted. ‘Didn’t you hear the order? We are to escort Kavan to Spoole! He is a hero!’
    Still the grey