Robert Asprin - Wartorn Obliteration

Have you spent a lot of time here at the Palace? Raven asked.

A lot. Yes.

Did you sleep with a great many men?

Well, not all at once...

Raven barked a laugh. Vadya was smart, and witty, and she acted very kind to Raven, instructing her in the ways of her new body. Mostly though, she treated Raven like an equal. She didn't talk down or make Raven feel bad about the graceless figure she used to have, or her social awkwardness.

Suddenly, Raven set down the brush. She stared into the mirror, into eyes that were bewitching and that were feeling more and more like her own. Really, though, they were Vadya's. Lady Vadya, renowned courtesan.

Tell me something... Raven hesitated.

Yes?

Did... Lord Matokin ever take you to bed? Raven's throat abruptly tightened.

I won't tell you that, Vadya said after a pause.

It wasn't an answer Raven had been expecting. What do you mean you won't tell me? She frowned.

Just that. And, guess what? You can't force me. Now, don't get upset. I'm still on your side. But I know who you think Matokin is. You think it often enough and "loud" enough that I couldn't help overhearing. He may very well be your father. I don't personally know. But I'm not going to spoil anything by letting you even entertain the idea that this same body has... has been... well, you know. So put the thought out of your mind.

Raven tried to do just that. Vadya was right. It seemed she was right a lot of the time.

Clothes had been fetched to the room. Raven sorted through them, picking the most practical items. One didn't wear diaphanous gowns in the field. She chose boots, a warm coat, but sensible as her choices were, she noticed that they still flattered her curvaceous figure.

Tell me something else, Raven finally said.

If I can, Vadya said, a bit cautiously.

Had you ever gone to bed with Abraxis before?

Old slim and sour? Vadya asked, amused. No. He never requested my services, and I certainly was never personally attracted to him.

But you encouraged me to seduce him, Raven said.

And it was fun, wasn't it? Confidence-building. It may also give us an edge with Abraxis if we ever need it in the future.

An edge? Raven asked, unsure.

Raven, Vadya said, I am a loyal subject of the Felk Empire. I believe in Matokin's plan to unite the whole Isthmus under one rule, to create one great land where there will be no further need for war.

I'm glad to hear it.

Yes, Vadya went on. But I'm also an intelligent, independent, and very experienced woman. I know politics as no other civilian can. I have seen firsthand how things are done, how decisions get made. I understand power and what it can do to a person. Abraxis is the head of Internal Security. It is a very important post. It will become more and more important as this war progresses and more lands fall under Felk rule and require internal policing. Abraxis is a man to watch.

Do you mean... he's a threat? Raven asked, astonished.

All power is a threat.

Raven absorbed that. It made her head whirl a little.

Matokin and Abraxis assigned you to watch over Weisel. They never said why. A good guess is that they are merely playing it safe, making sure the general doesn't exhibit any signs of disloyalty.

Raven swallowed. Weisel had, of course, already spoken treason against Matokin, to her.

It is sensible that we play it safe, too, Vadya continued. Abraxis is the number two man in Felk politics. Maybe he has secret thoughts of being number one.

What makes you say that? Raven asked.

Because of the human nature I've observed in my time here.

I have one more question, Raven said.

Go ahead, Vadya said, with no obvious sign of impatience.

Why did you agree to this?

This...? Vadya seemed confused.

Being my host. Letting my resurrected being inhabit your body while you remain passive. Obviously, you had a thriving career in Felk. Why give that up to allow me, a total stranger, the privilege of using your body?

Vadya was silent a moment. Then she said, Because Lord Matokin asked me to.

Raven sighed, I think it must have been something more than that. You're too intelligent and cunning a woman not to think how you could benefit.

I thank you for the compliment, Vadya said. But for the moment you will have to do with the answer I've given you.

It seemed plain that she would speak no more of it, no matter how much Raven prodded. She decided she would trust this woman to reveal everything later on.

Now, Vadya said, we really should get going.

Go they did. Raven brought along a small bag of field gear. She reported to one of the chambers where the Far Movement mages were transporting people to and from various points throughout the growing empire. She had already informed Matokin, via messenger, that she was returning to the field, after having received an authorization from one of the Palace physicians.

Vadya had never been Far Moved before. Raven rather enjoyed having had an experience her worldly host had not. She went through the portals quickly, without incident, glad not to have a recurrence of that one strange episode, when she had heard voices and had felt something closing in on her.

The army was on the move when she arrived. Luckily, Raven had been transported while the troops had stopped for a midday meal and rest period.

She presented her orders to an officer, who didn't try hard to hide the fact that he was more interested in her body than the scroll she'd handed him. Raven soaked up the attention. This was far more effective than when Weisel had ordered her groomed and put into more attractive attire. Now she was drawing stares from virtually every male.

This time, though, she had Vadya telling her how to best react, how to use her femininity and sensuality to her advantage. It was quite a game, with feints and ploys, veiled glances and cold silent dismissals.

Raven was enjoying it, immensely. Now she had the power of beauty, as well as the authority of her status as General Weisel's liaison to the magic-using units of this army. It was a position he had created just for her.

"The general wants you to report to him," the officer said. He pointed. "He's back that way."

"I'll find him," Raven said, and set off.

The sights and smells were definitely different from those of the Palace. A few more days there, and she would have gotten too used to its luxuries.

General Weisel was encircled by a squad of watchful guards when she located him. She knew that the assassin who had tried to kill him, and who had succeeded in killing her instead, was still at large. If the culprit hadn't been found yet, Raven guessed, then he or she had probably managed to flee.

It might have been an action on the part of the enemies of Felk. That assassin might have been an agent sent to kill Weisel, so as to slow the army's southward push. It was also possible, and more disturbing, that it had been done on the inside. Maybe some disgruntled Felk soldier had taken it on himself to murder Weisel. Maybe the assassin was from among the conscripted troops from the cities the Felk had already conquered.

Whatever, Weisel was being scrupulously protected now. Raven's identity was checked a second time, before she was passed through the vigilant circle surrounding the general.

"Raven!" Weisel said, in what sounded like a sincerely happy greeting.

She saluted. "General, I'm reporting as ordered."