In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas refused to apologize to Six and insisted he needs no help from the human. Unable to feed himself, Pietas has become dehydrated. He’s relapsed and lost the inability to speak. Six does not realize it yet.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 26

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Tantrum

Pietas woke to the smell of fish cooking. He tried, but could no longer turn his head. A body-deep lethargy stole his breath, and he lacked energy to cough, or speak. His stomach cramped from hunger.

If his people found him, they would make this ghost pay for–

No. No.

Pietas had given his word he would not allow his people to harm Six. Though the ghost had let him starve, Pietas would keep his word. His honor set him apart from humans, who broke their oaths with complete disregard for the sanctity of vows.

If Ultras encountered Six while the ghost was out hunting, he could be killed. If the others came here, Pietas lacked the strength to tell them anything.

Why wouldn’t this ghost unbend his stubborn neck and listen to reason. Humans are impossible!

“Excuse me?” Six, squatting beside the fire, pivoted on one foot. “Did you say humans are impossible? Try dealing with the king of the Ultras.”

Pietas had not spoken aloud. His throat had closed so much it hurt to breathe. The ghost had heard his thoughts.

Could Six be telepathic? Or perhaps when angry, Pietas overcame his inability to reach others. It would explain how Six had known Pietas was awake aboard ship, and his comment about Naro the day before. Six was not the single person to whom he could mind-speak. Surely not.

He tried reaching out. Six!

The ghost stood at once, and came over to him. With alarm in his eyes, he dropped to one knee. Bending over him, Six lifted one of Pietas’s eyelids. “You stubborn, pig-headed Ultra. You’re dehydrated.” He left, and came back with a steel cup. “Drink this.” He held it for him.

Water cascaded through Pietas’s mouth and across his tongue. His teeth stopped sticking to the inside of his mouth.

“Look, I’m sorry, Pietas. I shouldn’t have done that to you. Considering what you’ve been through, that was wrong. I’m sorry. I will never do that again. From now on, you don’t ever have to ask me for anything, you got that? I’ll be here.” Six helped him sit up. “I know you like being right, but you don’t have to be right all the time.”

Pietas rested against him. “Not…right. Perfect.”

“Man. Nobody’s perfect. Not even you.” He held the water for him. “You’re worse than a kid having a tantrum.”

Before he could react to the insult, the words sparked a long-ignored memory.

He was nine, and learning one of many languages his father insisted he master. The work was easy, which bored him. He much preferred a challenge. That night, his father came to check on him. Pietas was eager to show him what he’d learned. Mahikos held an extended discussion with him in the language.

“Good enough. Language is one of your strengths. You must learn to speak as many as possible. Begin another.” Mahikos left the room without further comment.

Having spent days memorizing the hundreds of verb forms of the language and how to use them, the sparse praise irritated.

Pietas kicked the table leg. With his superior strength, the leg broke. The table canted over, dumping everything onto the floor. Liquid spilled on scattering papers. Glass broke. He cut himself picking it up, and popped the injured finger into his mouth.

His mother entered, took in the damage, and came over to examine his hand.

“It doesn’t hurt.” He pulled it away from her.

“Tell me what happened.” When he told her, she cupped his chin in her hand, and kissed his brow. “Pietas.” She sat beside him, and drew him into her arms. “Son, when someone has a tantrum, people always gets hurt. More often than not, it’s the person who threw the tantrum. You were born to be a leader. Train yourself to think before you act. Always set an example. If your soldiers you see you out of control, they will be. You can never afford to indulge your temper.” She kissed his brow. “You were born to rule. You must be above pettiness and anger.”

“Father is always angry.”

“Do you want to be no better than your father?”

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Support Bringer of Chaos

How? By joining my Thunderclap or Headtalker campaigns.
For Thunderclap click here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/40531-chaos-is-coming
#ChaosIsComing Create chaos and you create opportunity. Pietas; BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #Amreading http://thndr.me/kyeSr9
—
For Headtalker click here: https://headtalker.com/campaigns/chaos-is-coming/
#ChaosIsComing In battle, chaos is a good thing. Especially among the enemy. BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #AmReading https://hdtk.co/LeBAh
—
Review the book or host it on your blog. Sign up here http://bit.ly/1SDr9nj

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

Pietas is known for eating his enemies. It’s more tactic of intimidation than true action, but when he threatens Six with it? “Bring. Salt.” In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Six just used a knife to assist Pietas with a ritual, and the immortal comments on the blade.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 27

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Bring. Salt.

“I want to see how you sharpen knives.”

Though it was full daylight, they were in shade, and the firelight cast flickering shadows on Six’s face. “Oh?”

“That blade is impressive.”

“Thanks.” Six folded the knife, and holstered it. “It does the job.”

“However, you disobeyed a direct order.”

He fastened the safety on the holster, securing the knife. “See, I’m not one of your soldiers.” Using a thumb, he wiped away a smear of blood from Pietas’s cheek. “Which means you can’t give me an order. Therefore, I did no such thing.”

He met the man’s unwavering gaze. “How you frustrate me, ghost.”

“To quote you, ‘Good.’ Now, what’s next?”

“The ritual is complete.”

Six gestured to his own eyes. “So that mask is part of your ritual.”

“I never wear the mask until I’ve made myself worthy. And I’m ready for war.”

“That means the day we met, you’d done the ritual.”

“Yes.”

Six cursed under his breath. “So, uh, what else do you need?”

“I’ll settle for you helping me up.”

“The great Pietas, War Leader of the Ultras, wants help from a mortal? How the mighty have fallen.”

Pietas narrowed his eyes. “Ghost, don’t make me eat you.”

“Yeah? I got two words for you, Ultra. Bring. Salt.” He stood and offered his hand. “Come on, amigo. I’ll douse the fire while you get dressed.”

Pietas gripped it, and forced himself to stand. His legs hurt, and it took a full minute for him to catch his breath. Did mortals put up with this kind of pain on a daily basis? They must be stronger than he ever imagined.

Six had the courtesy to remain silent about how badly Pietas limped, and instead, worked on putting out the campfire.

Once he’d brushed off the dirt on his legs, Pietas dressed, and then helped Six clean up. Though it was still morning, the day darkened while they were finishing. By the time they reached camp, the sun was gone.

At first, Pietas thought it might be more birds, but then he spied what had sent the birds fleeing.

Black clouds roiled. Thunder boomed. The sky went white with lightning.

In the north, the mother of all thunderstorms rolled over the horizon.

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Support Bringer of Chaos

How? By joining my Thunderclap or Headtalker campaigns.
For Thunderclap click here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/40531-chaos-is-coming
#ChaosIsComing Create chaos and you create opportunity. Pietas; BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #Amreading http://thndr.me/kyeSr9
—
For Headtalker click here: https://headtalker.com/campaigns/chaos-is-coming/
#ChaosIsComing In battle, chaos is a good thing. Especially among the enemy. BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #AmReading https://hdtk.co/LeBAh
—
Review the book or host it on your blog. Sign up here http://bit.ly/1SDr9nj

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

This scene from Bringer of Chaos marks a major turning point in the story. Six and Pietas have been reluctant enemies, and now move into being reluctant friends. It still doesn’t mean Six trusts him enough to tell him his name. Will Pietas get past repeating “my name is Pietas” or accept a nickname? This is not the first time he has called Six an “infuriating person” — or the last.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 28

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

My Name is Pietas

Days passed into weeks.

Six spent time hunting, fishing, gathering wood for the fire, hauling water. The man gave no indication of impatience, ever. Six was at his side, offering, assisting, without Pietas having to ask.

One evening after dinner, they stretched out side by side near the fire, staring up at the stars.

“Thank you, Six.”

“For what?”

“You’ve been good to me. I appreciate it. I don’t say that enough.”

He folded his hands over his waist. “No problem. Glad to do it, Three Point One Four.”

“Three point…” Pietas grappled with what the number might indicate. “Pardon?”

“I’ve decided that’s your name. Now that we’re friends.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your name.” Six sat up. “Since you call me Six, I’m going to call you Three Point One Four.”

“I fail to see the significance of the number.”

“Really?” A big grin crossed Six’s face. “And here I thought you were good at math. It’s pi.”

“No!” Pietas sat bolt upright. “I forbid you to call me that. I am Pietas. Pee-ah-toss.”

“I dunno. I’m partial to Pi. I think I’ll keep it.”

“No. You may not call me Pi. My name is Pietas.”

“Why not?”

“It is not my name!”

“Oh, you mean like Six isn’t my name. It’s a number.”

“Simple remedy. Tell me your name.”

The quiet lengthened, but then Six stretched both arms over his head, and gave a wide yawn. “Nah. I don’t think so.”

“Fine, then.” Pietas settled himself on the ground once more. “Six it is.”

“Guess I’m stuck with it.” He grinned at Pietas as he stood. “Pi.”

Pietas sent an empathic icicle Six’s way. Infuriating person!

“Back at you, Ultra.” He wandered off to prepare for sleep.

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Support Bringer of Chaos

How? By joining my Thunderclap or Headtalker campaigns.
For Thunderclap click here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/40531-chaos-is-coming
#ChaosIsComing Create chaos and you create opportunity. Pietas; BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #Amreading http://thndr.me/kyeSr9
—
For Headtalker click here: https://headtalker.com/campaigns/chaos-is-coming/
#ChaosIsComing In battle, chaos is a good thing. Especially among the enemy. BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #AmReading https://hdtk.co/LeBAh
—
Review the book or host it on your blog. Sign up here http://bit.ly/1SDr9nj

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

(Moon image courtesy of Todd Rowe)

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas insists on Six telling him how far the ship has come, and discovers his imprisonment and isolation are far from over. He is imprisoned inside a steel and copper stasis tube and cannot see Six.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 17

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

A Warrior’s Ally

“The ship’s still in station. It hasn’t even left Enderium Six.”

Still in station? Still in station! He’d thought they’d be halfway there by now. “Long?”

“How long have you been here? Three Terran solar months today. The trip doesn’t start until next week. Supposed to take a year.”

A year!

A year in this netherworld, with no food, no water? Four times longer than he’d already suffered. Every time he died his cells burst and renewed themselves, searing his entire body from the inside out. He’d suffocate in a coffin full of dead cells.

The Ultra metabolism was proof humans had no mercy. Mortal death could never terminate his life. No matter how much he might want it.

Desire it. Crave it.

The ghost was talking, but Pietas couldn’t hear, overtaken by a weakness he hadn’t suffered from since he was a child.

“Pietas!” His father cupped his face and forced him to look up. Behind his father’s head, Earth’s yellow sun blasted its light. “Warriors do not cry. Stop it this instant.”

He’d been three years old, and had fallen while trying to keep up with his father’s longer stride.

His hands bled, and it frightened him. Ultras didn’t bleed. His father said so. Something must be wrong.

He lifted his palms to show his father. “It hurts.”

“Ultras never admit to pain. You are my son! Put your hands down this instant.”

His mother picked him up, and chided Mahikos. Holding Pietas in her arms, she examined his hands, now healed, and kissed his palms. “There, my son. It’s all better. See? Pain must be borne, but it passes.”

“You will make him weak.”

“I’ll make him compassionate.” Helia tousled his hair, and kissed Pietas on the cheek. “He’s never been injured before, Mahikos. Be patient.”

Pietas flung his arms around his mother’s neck.

“You’ll make him weak. Ultra warriors have no time for weakness. The next time he cries, I will beat him until he stops.”

His father had beaten him, many times. But for crying? Never. An Ultra does not seek to escape pain. If one inflicts pain, one must bear it. Pain must be borne. Pain is a warrior’s ally. A warrior must not show weakness.

Pietas jerked himself back to the present. “What?”

“I asked if you’re all right.”

He swallowed. The tears had wet his throat. “I am perfect.”

“Uh huh. Heard you were a narcissist too. Is all that nasty crap they say about you true?”

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf