Chemora attack had been elevated to heroic status. Victor could not help feeling inspired by the achievement as he headed towards the smaller cabin.
He knocked on the door, which was opened a moment later by Louisa. ‘Victor. Come in,’ she said.
Sebastian was at the table, finishing off a meal. ‘Good evening, Victor. To what do we owe the pleasure?’
‘I was wondering if I could have a brief word with you. Something has been on my mind and I have to discuss it.’
‘We cannot have things weighing heavily on minds if they can be lifted,’ Sebastian said.
‘I’m going for a walk,’ Louisa said. ‘Don’t wait up for me.’ She smiled a goodbye to her father and Victor and left the cabin.
Victor faced Sebastian and took a deep breath as if to strengthen his resolve. ‘I’m troubled,’ he said. ‘It has to do with this assassination attempt.’
Sebastian waited patiently.
‘The one person I least trust in all of this is Steel. At least we know Neravista. We know what he wants.’
‘We all know not to trust Steel.’
‘Yes, but we all have different ideas of how far to trust him. You trust him enough to let him into this camp, for instance. I do not. I would not be surprised if he had something to do with the attempt on your life.’
‘Where is your evidence?’
‘I don’t have any.’
‘Then this notion is a product of your imagination.’
‘That’s not all. I think Steel has allegiances to others - stronger than to us. I do not discount Hector’s involvement in this.’
Sebastian’s gaze turned cold. ‘Please don’t try to manipulate me, Victor. I expect more from you.’
‘Do you?’ Sebastian did not miss the flash of new tough-mindedness in Victor’s tone. ‘I came here to give you my views. As second in command I think I am entitled to air them.’
‘If I wanted those kinds of views I would have someone with a background in military intelligence as my adviser.’
‘It doesn’t take a soldier to see such things. Call it intuition if you want. I’m not a soldier but I have plenty of experience of life.’
‘And what do you propose we do about these intuitions?’
Victor was not sure. He had not thought that part through thoroughly. ‘Perhaps we should be frank. Let’s confront Steel with our concerns and see what he says.’
Sebastian looked suddenly irritated with Victor. ‘If you have no stomach for this fight any more then you are under no obligation to stay.’
Victor was stunned by the comment. ‘After all that I have sacrificed, this is what you say to me, for expressing my opinion?’
‘I’ve been living by my wits my entire life. Things change, Victor. People change. Perhaps we no longer follow the same path.’
Victor was furious. Frustration welled up in him. He felt as if he had been mortally wounded. ‘I have learned something about change tonight. And that is not to be afraid of it.’
Sebastian did not react.Victor went to the door and left the cabin.
He closed the door and stood in the darkness, the emotional wound stinging intensely. But instead of skulking away to drink himself to sleep he straightened his back and gritted his teeth. He was not going to let this one go. If he was at a crossroads with this revolution then it was time to do something other than what he had been doing.
To keep out of sight Victor decided to take the back path between the cabins that led to the stables. When he got there he saddled his horse and led it out of the stall. As he climbed onto the animal’s back Yoinakuwa stepped from the shadows, startling him.
‘Will you stop doing that,’ Victor said, clutching at his chest. ‘One of these days you’re going to give me a heart attack.’
Yoinakuwa looked him in the eye, his question plain enough.
‘I have to go somewhere,’ Victor said. ‘I will be fine on my own.’ Then he had an afterthought. ‘But if I am not back by morning you may find the answer in Hector’s camp.’
Victor rode away into the darkness. Yoinakuwa watched him go.
Chapter 7
Stratton placed his clothes over the back of a chair, stepped into the metal bath and lowered himself gingerly into the hot water. He immersed himself gradually, sliding down until the liquid was up to his neck, taking a moment to get used to the heat before sinking beneath the surface.
He held his breath, relishing the sensation of the hot water all around him. As he resurfaced slowly and opened his eyes the