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Back Duel in the Dark Save as PDF
Chapters (44)
  1. The Crimson Worlds Series
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  3. Chapter One
  4. Chapter Two
  5. Chapter Three
  6. Chapter Four
  7. Chapter Five
  8. Chapter Six
  9. Chapter Seven
  10. Chapter Eight
  11. Chapter Nine
  12. Chapter Ten
  13. Chapter Eleven
  14. Chapter Twelve
  15. Chapter Thirteen
  16. Chapter Fourteen
  17. Chapter Fifteen
  18. Chapter Sixteen
  19. Chapter Seventeen
  20. Chapter Eighteen
  21. Chapter Nineteen
  22. Chapter Twenty
  23. Chapter Twenty-One
  24. Chapter Twenty-Two
  25. Chapter Twenty-Three
  26. Chapter Twenty-Four
  27. Chapter Twenty-Five
  28. Chapter Twenty-Six
  29. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  30. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  31. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  32. Chapter Thirty
  33. Chapter Thirty-One
  34. Chapter Thirty-Two
  35. Chapter Thirty-Three
  36. Chapter Thirty-Four
  37. Chapter Thirty-Five
  38. Chapter Thirty-Six
  39. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  40. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  41. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  42. Chapter Forty
  43. Chapter Forty-One
  44. Epilogue

“Yes, I’m glad things worked out too.” Sam worked his face into a smile.

“You’re really going to miss Dauntless, aren’t you?” Lise paused. “Or is it duty with the battle fleet?”

Sam hesitated. “Lise, you know I’m happy to be with you, and to be here when our son is born. But Dauntless is a good ship. I’ve been battle fleet since I graduated from the Academy. Leaving them when war is about to break out seems…”

“You’ll still be Combat here, Sam. Not Support like me. Archellia base is…”

“We just got back from the Union border, Lise. Where the war will be. I know I’ll still be Combat, technically at least, but it’s hard to imagine being farther away from the actual war.”

Lise shook her head. “I understand what’s bothering you, but I’m not going to pretend I’m not happy you’ll be safer. That you’ll be here with me…and with your son.”

“I’m happy about that too, Lise.” He took a few steps and put his arms around her. “I really am. But I still feel like I’m deserting my comrades. They’ll have a month of shore leave like me…and then they’ll go back to the front and wait for war to come. I’ll be here, safe with my family, far from danger.” He paused. “It’s just hard.”

“I know, Sam.” Lise stepped back from his embrace, and she put her hand on his face. “But I’m still glad you’re home.”

Sam smiled. “So am I.” He put his hand on hers. “So am I.”

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Letter from Lucius Rigellus to his Daughter

Kat, I am leaving this letter because one day I may not return from one of my missions. If you are reading this, I am gone, likely killed in battle.

I have written several versions of this over the years, revising it as you have grown. When you were younger, my words were briefer, simpler. I told you I loved you, that I would always be part of you, even when I wasn’t there anymore. Those sentiments are as strong today as they ever were. My love for you has grown every day since you were born.

But you’re older now…old enough to understand what it means to be a Palatian. The way is the way. You have recited it since you could speak, as all Palatians do. But now it is time for you to understand the true meaning behind it. And also what it means to be one of the Regulli.