Battle Hymn Read Online Free Page B

like yours. We used a Merki weapon as a pattern, but I think we'll be up to breechloaders in a year or so." He snorted with disdain. "Damn primitives, these tribes. Taking them over was child's play. They feared me. I spouted some ancient legends about the Redeemer, killed half a dozen, and was soon Qar Qarth. That was the easy part. Getting them to work, another thing altogether."
    "So you used humans."
    "You know there's a city of them east of here, Yellow-skinned, call themselves Chin. A million in one city. We promised them exemption from the feast if they'd do my bidding. They're excellent workers. But my gun—that's beyond them for the moment, at least. So I drew on older designs. Breechloaders next. We have the weapon that was taken with you."
    Hans thought fondly of his cherished Sharps carbine and unconsciously he flexed his hand, as if the reassuring weight of the gun was again balanced in his grip. Ha'ark smiled. "The same with artillery, even airships," he continued. "Steam power as well. Not very efficient at the moment, but we're learning. Even showed them how to make a printing press, so technical books can be printed, and harvesting machines, so more laborers can work in the factories I plan."
    "So what do you want of me? If it's understanding machines, I know nothing, but even if I did, you can go to hell."
    "Spoken like a soldier. No, not that, though it was suggested that if we slowly burned you to death you'd talk. A waste, though."
    "So what do you want?"
    "You will be, how do they say it, my ragma."
    Hans stiffened angrily. "A pet? Be damned to you."
    Ha'ark extended his hand. "A poor choice of words. Let us say 'companion,' then. We'll talk at times."
    "You'll get no help from me."
    "Most likely not. But I would like to ask a question."
    "What?"
    "Tell me about Keane."
    Hans smiled. "You'll never beat him. No one ever has. I should know—I was with him from the beginning. A dozen battles in our war back on Earth, in every campaign here until I was captured. Even if he knew he was facing final defeat, he'd spit in your eye and die fighting."
    "You're proud of him, aren't you?"
    "You're damn right I'm proud of him," Hans snapped.
    "I understand you were as his father to him. You trained him in war. Perhaps in knowing you I can know him."
    Ha'ark smiled and Hans suddenly sensed that perhaps he had said too much.
    "Come with me."
    Hans looked at Tamira, who was still fast asleep.
    "She's safe," Ha'ark said softly. "You are now of my circle, and so is she."
    Hans tried not to let his relief show.
    Ha'ark stood up and motioned Hans to follow. Stepping out of the yurt, Hans squinted from being shut up for so long. The evening sun was low on the horizon, bathing the rolling steppe in a blood-red light. The encampment of the Bantag stretched to the far horizon, coils of smoke wafting up from the dung campfires. The scent of roasting meat drifted on the breeze. He had long ago learned to suppress the horror that the smell engendered. In the distance he could hear the plaintive screams of someone about to be slaughtered. Ha'ark had momentarily put him at his ease, but the sound of the cries caused an icy chill to run through the aging sergeant major.
    "As long as that continues," Hans snarled bitterly, "the war between us will be to the death."
    Ha'ark looked at Hans, puzzled, not understanding at first. The screams grew louder and the realization dawned.
    "Maybe someday it will change. I hear the Tugar have forsworn human flesh. Some are even riding with your Keane."
    Hans shook his head and mumbled a curse. The idea was absurd.
    Two guards approached, each leading a horse, and to Hans's surprise one was offered to him. He reached up, struggling to get in the saddle of the Clydesdale-like mount. It felt good to have a horse beneath him again, and for an instant he almost felt free.
    I could spur it and be gone, he thought, the vision forming in his mind of galloping free across the steppe, heading north and