Adrian Tchaikovsky - The Scarab Path

I understand that, when I was chosen to stand beside our Queen, it was because I was a man entirely at her mercy, who would have nothing without her support. I was her husband to satisfy the conservatives, while she was my preservation against the crossed pikes .

I had not thought at that time what other plans I might be intruding on, but I was given no choice, after all. It is not quite true to say that I would rather the pikes than share Her bed, but there is yet some truth in that .

And I know now that it is not enemies of the Empress that seek my death, nor any of that multitude whose lives I have personally ruined at the call of my professional career. It is simply because a man loves a woman, and would remove the only barrier between them .

Let me tell you, General: I give her to you with all my heart. She is yours. Keep her if you can. You deserve each other .

Tell her I died in Khanaphes. I do not intend to expose the lie. I do not intend that any word of me will reach the Empire for a very long time. If you send more killers after me, though, I will get word to her of your actions, and I do not believe she will see them in a favourable light .

Tell her I died. I don't imagine she will mourn for long.

But if this does not move you to forget about me, General, then know that, just as this letter has found you in good health at the heart of your own Empire, then so can I. I have one Rekef general's blood on my hands, and I would not scruple at there being two. Keep sending killers, and what would I have to lose?

I hope you and the Empress are as happy together as she'll let you be .

Yours

Thalric, formerly Major .

General Brugan stood for a long time with the scroll still in his hands, and then he cursed and consigned it to the fire.