Read Fate of an Empire (Talurian Empire Trilogy Book 1) for Free Online Page B

is threatening
me? I’m just trying to help.” Klaric shook his head and moved back into
formation.
    Klaric was
Rurik’s best friend. Meeting as young boys, they shared in every major shaping
event from childhood to adulthood. So, when Rurik signed up for the army,
Klaric was right behind him. Klaric had known Aamin since he was born and felt
every bit a brother to him.
    The squadron
walked the rest of the way in silence.
    The city watch
headquarters was located near the outer, northern gate. Upon arrival, they
found the building filled with commotion. Local men entering and exiting the
different rooms, equipping themselves with weapons and putting on the city’s
tabard of blue and yellow.
    Rurik learned
the man in charge was the retired Sheriff of the city, Gertin—The retired
lawman heard they needed someone with experience and thought it would be nice
to be back at his old station.
    “Sheriff! What
is going on here?” Rurik shouted.
    Gertin turned
to find the Corporal standing in the doorway to the jail.
    “Uh…Sir…I…I
had things going smoothly until more and more men kept showing up to volunteer
and then quickly lost control.” He shook his head, cradling the side of his
face. “The acting Baron of the city has offered a hundred gold coins to every
man that steps forward for service. The offer has attracted every low-life,
thief, and beggar in the city.”
    Rurik nodded
his understanding and climbed up onto a desk in the middle of the room. “Everyone
stop!”
    The noise was
sucked out of the room, and all the men turned their heads. Snarled faces and
hungry eyes stared back at him.
    “If you have
not signed up already, return your weapon and tabard to the quartermaster and leave.
We are not accepting more men. You may all go home or wherever you came from.”
    While some of
the men gave in and started making their way back to the armory, a few started
cursing at Rurik and drawing their weapons.
    “We were told
that if we came, there would be payment!” shouted a man from the back of the
room.
    “Yeah! We want
our hundred gold pieces!” yelled another, moving through the sea of bodies
toward the corporal.
    Rurik still
stood atop the desk. His sword quickly unsheathed at the sight of other weapons
being drawn. “It would be wise for all of you to drop your weapons and leave. Now! ”
    Rurik was
flushed with anger. He jumped down off the desk and waved to one of the
soldiers at the door to bring in help. The man who was moving through the crowd
raised his sword, leveling it with Rurik’s throat.
    “You are not
going to yell at me now are you?” He said with a toothless grin. Then he
started to laugh and the men around joined in.
    “You don’t
want to do this, sir,” Rurik warned.
    Klaric rushed
through the doorway, followed by a group of soldiers.
    Rurik put his
hand up. “It’s alright Klaric.” He looked back at the man holding the sword to
his throat. “This is your last chance.”
    He laughed
again. “Oh, you soldiers are all the same. Just give me my damn money.”
    Rurik lashed
out with lightning fast speed and knocked the sword away from the man. Then
proceeded to pull a dagger out of his own belt and pinned the man’s hand to the
desk. He screamed in pain. Blood pooled under his palm, staining the antique
wood.
    “Does anyone
else want to question my orders?” Rurik looked around the room intently and witnessed
the gathering mob of ruffians slowly start to break. The headquarters soon
emptied, save for Sheriff Gertin and a handful of signed militia.
    “Okay, now
that we have a semblance of order here, let me hear of the progress you are
making, Sheriff.”
    “W-well, sir, the
city seems to be calm and under control and, thanks to you, here as well. I
apologize for my lack of ability at handling the situation, S-sir,” the old Sheriff
bowed nervously.
    “It’s alright—been
awhile since you’ve dealt with these kinds of men.”
    A guard came
running through the door of the