Rogue Legacy by Jeffrey L. Kohanek (classic reads .txt) 📖

Cal nodded. “They all did until this one appeared a few months back.”

“What does it mean? Are we in danger?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea. Come on. We have more pressing issues.”

He led her toward the Citadel. The two guards stationed at the gate drew their weapons and stepped back but did nothing to stop Cal when he walked past and entered the complex with Lyra and Gilo close behind.

Within the walls, Lyra found an expansive plaza occupied by well-trimmed shrubs and bronze statues that gleamed in the morning sun. Cal ignored it all and walked toward the massive building at the center, leading them up a set of stairs that divided massive alabaster columns supporting the stone arches above the entrance.

Cal led them through an open doorway and past another set of guards. With fear in their eyes, the two men drew weapons and backed away as Gilo and Lyra passed them. The building interior contained a massive hall with a running fountain in the center, and the sound of the bubbling water echoed in the open space.

Without pause, Cal crossed the hall as Lyra looked about in wonder, drinking in the architecture and the tapestries adorning the walls between each wooden door. As Cal approached the far end of the room, one of the two guards posted at the double doors held his palm out to stop him. The man had short-cropped dark hair and a trimmed goatee, appearing the senior of the two guards. Even as the man spoke, his nervous eyes remained on Gilo.

“You can’t interrupt them right now, sir.”

Cal frowned at Gilo. “I think they’re going to want to see this.”

The guard’s gaze moved from Cal to Gilo and back again. “Well…they are in the middle of a discussion. You’re going to have to wait.”

Cal glared at the man, shedding his normal friendly demeanor. “I will see them. Now.”

Although the man facing him stood a half-head taller and out-weighed Cal by a hundred pounds, his eyes reflected fear. He glanced at the other guard, who continued staring at Gilo. Finding no support from his companion, the guard turned back to Cal.

“Well…please give me a moment, sir.”

The man slipped inside the doorway, and Cal turned to wink at Lyra, the hint of a smile showing.

The guard returned and held the door open as he waved them inside.

Although Lyra had never seen Queen Iglesia’s throne room in Vingarri, she had listened in rapt attention when father described it to her. The room she now entered was similar to the image she had formed in her mind.

Colored light streamed through the stained-glass windows that surrounded the room, illuminating an open space with high arches supporting a ceiling four stories above. Rows and rows of benches lined both sides of the room, split by a long stretch of red carpet down the center aisle.

Cal led them down the carpeted path, straight toward the half-circle of thirteen thrones that stood atop the dais at the head of the room. Men occupied each throne, some appearing angry, while others leaned forward in curiosity. Mutters of surprise spread throughout the group as they stared at Gilo.

Stopping just a few feet before the dais, Cal nodded to the young man who stood beside him. The man wore a black cloak and had long dark hair tied in a tail behind his head. He appeared to match Cal in age, but displayed a stern demeanor, in contrast to Cal’s relaxed manner.

Cal nodded toward the man, “Hello, Elias.”

The man grimaced. “Hello, Cal.”

Lyra settled just behind Cal. She gave the rope a hard tug and Gilo stopped and sat beside her, his head even with hers. Elias shifted his gaze from Cal to Lyra, his eyes widening when he spotted Gilo. The man took a step backward as he bit his lip. Lyra’s gaze flicked to Cal and found him watching Elias with a smile on his face.

“Thank you, Elias,” Cal said with a nod.

Elias’ brow furrowed. “Thank you? For what?”

Cal laughed, “You’ll see.”

“I assume your rude interruption relates to the oversized dog you brought with you.”

Cal turned toward the man who occupied the center throne, a man with graying black hair, a short beard, and intense eyes. Like Elias, he appeared quite austere. Like Elias, he wore a black cloak. Unlike Elias, he was far older than Cal.

“Yes, Archon. I have new discoveries to share, findings I believe the Council will find quite compelling.”

“Very well.” The archon nodded. “Please present your discoveries so we may finish our discussion with Grand Master Firellus.”

Cal glanced toward Elias as he bowed before the dais. “As suggested by certain members of the Council, I have accelerated my work. I’m here to show you that,” Cal held his arm toward Gilo, who was watching every move. “The results are quite astounding.”

“Three days ago, I Infused my dog with an augmentation that enlarged him to twice his height and four times his former mass.” Cal nodded. “Yes, I said three days ago. I expect the effect to be permanent.”

The men on the thrones exchanged glances, many of them nodding as Cal continued speaking.

“I used the same technique I described with my last report, a technique I then taught to Elias, as you requested.”

Elias frowned, but remained silent.

The Archon tilted his head, examining the dog. “The dog appears…normal. That is, except for its massive size.”

Cal turned toward Gilo and nodded. “Yes, thus far. However, I highly suggest we give it more time. In addition, I require additional test subjects to ensure the results are consistent.”

Another man from among the thrones spoke. “We tire of your conservative approach. The Council appreciates the work you do, but you continually express caution and create excuses to move slowly.” The man leaned forward, squeezing his hand into a fist held before his pinched face. “The iron is hot. It is time for action. We cannot sit back and allow this opportunity to pass.”

“Your position is well known, Victor,” the Archon said. “However, the decision is up to Council vote, not individual opinion.”

An uncomfortable silence fell upon the room as Victor glared at the Archon. Cal spoke again, interrupting the moment.

“I have another discovery to reveal, one that equals or surpasses the first.”

The Archon nodded. “Go on.”

Cal smiled. “I am now able to read emotions.”

The men looked to one another, appearing confused as the Archon spoke again.

“What do you mean?”

“I discovered something new, another method of augmentation. Allow me to demonstrate…”

Without waiting for a response, Cal pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. He knelt, setting the paper on the floor as he feverishly sketched a symbol with a piece of coal. While he traced the rune, Elias stepped closer and watched intently.

After pocketing the coal, Cal closed his eyes and began breathing deep breaths, growing increasingly more rapid. He opened his eyes and red sparks danced within them as he stared at the paper. With the paper held up, it was easy to see the symbol he had drawn, glowing bright red and pulsing before fading.

An intense sense of terror came over Lyra as she stared at the symbol, so intense that she was unable to move. Locked in that state, she prayed for death, for anything that might take the fear away. The world was a place of unspeakable horror, and death was her only escape.

Cal lowered the paper and covered it with his cloak. The fear vanished, and Lyra found herself gasping for air, realizing she had been too scared to breathe. The other men in the room were gasping as well, many with tears in their eyes. Lyra noticed that Elias’ pants were wet in the crotch and down one leg.

“Sorry about that.” Cal grinned. “Especially for you, Elias.”

“What…was that?” the Archon demanded.

“As I explained, I can now read emotions, which offers a new array of possible methods to use our magic. What you just experienced was fear. Conjured fear.” Cal shrugged. “It is but one example of many. This particular one was made possible courtesy of Elias, from the fear he exuded when he first saw my dog.”

Cal stepped backward and scratched Gilo behind the ears, unable to avoid the dog’s giant tongue when it lashed out and swept across his cheek. As he sputtered and wiped his face with his sleeve, Cal turned toward the dais, toward the man seated in the center throne.

“Very good,” the Archon nodded. “Very good, indeed.” He turned toward Elias. “What say you, Master Firellus? Can you foresee how the Ministry might benefit from this revelation?”

Elias glared at Cal, his expression softening, the anger on his face replaced by a smirk. “I can indeed, Sir.”

The Archon sat back in his chair, smiling with fingers tented before his mouth as he addressed Cal.

“You appear to be progressing quite well. Please press forward and find what more you can discover. We will soon take action.”