A Warden's Purpose (Wardens of Issalia Book 1) Read online

  Everson frowned as he recalled Donnell’s funeral. His eyes narrowed as he realized that Alridge had used the same rune to ignite the funeral pyre. When the woman nodded, he continued.

  “It became obvious that our experiment didn’t work, yet the idea of enchanting – the idea of a permanent augmentation – continued to pull at me. The applications for such augmentations in conjunction with the right inventions could yield world-changing results. Therefore, I dragged Jonah back out to the quarry a few weeks later. When he tried the same rune on the same rock…nothing happened. Or, so, we thought.

  “When we tried to touch the rock, red energy lashed out from it. At first, we didn’t understand the implications. When we returned weeks later, we discovered that the energy remained. That’s when I suspected the truth – the first augmentation had changed the rock in some manner, such that the subsequent application of Chaos resulted in the rock absorbing the energy rather than it being trapped within the rune.”

  “Incredible.” Master Firellus said with wonder in voice. “After all these years, it was right in front of our face, only requiring the right series of events.”

  Nindlerod patted the man on the shoulder. “Such is the way of discoveries, Elias. In hindsight, they may appear simple, but thinking of them the first time requires the right mind and a stroke of luck. With only one or the other, it remains undiscovered.”

  Ackerson spoke. “I think we have the information we need. I’m sure you’re hungry. Get yourself a meal. If you ever come across anything of note again, my door is open to you.”

  Everson nodded. He leaned forward, flexed his hips, and straightened into a stance with a resounding hiss.

  Ackerson shook his head as he stared at mechanical legs. “Brilliant. Simply brilliant.”

  Everson walked toward the door and looked back one last time, finding all eyes staring at the invention strapped to his legs. He suspected that he should feel self-conscious, but instead he experienced a sense of wonder. Even Firellus and Nindlerod, who both used canes to help them walk, would never know the joy Everson felt at taking a few simple steps across the room.

  After eating, Everson returned to his room. When he sat on the bed, he pulled the gold medal from about his neck and stared at it. Pride hummed within his chest, and he wished his parents could have seen his moment of triumph. He reached out to hang the medal from the bedpost, but missed. With a clink, it bounced on the floor and rolled beneath Jonah’s bed.

  With a sigh, he groaned. “Smooth move, Everson.”

  He stood and squatted with a hiss, but was unable to reach the medal. Shifting, he bent one leg further and attempted to kneel but lost his balance. The impact of striking the stone floor drove a sharp pain through his shoulder. He lay still for a moment and wondered at his ability to recover, fearing himself a turtle turned up on its shell. Noticing the medal now within reach, he swept his arm out and grabbed it. In that moment, he noticed something else.

  Between the wooden slats that supported Jonah’s mattress, were sheets of paper, the edges bent and hanging free. He reached out and gripped the free corners. With gentle tugs, careful not to rip them, he pulled out a small stack of papers. He then rolled over and put the papers and the medal on his mattress. With his hands free, he was able to push himself off the floor and get one mechanical leg beneath him. Rising and settling on his bed, Everson began looking over the papers in his hand.

  Notes of how Chaos functions and the runes they had been taught in Chaos Theory were scrawled upon three of the sheets. On the fourth and fifth sheet, he found a journal of sorts, along with something that caught his eye.

  Upon my arrival at the school, I was able to ferret out and befriend a loner as we had planned. His name is Everson Gulagas. He hails from Cinti Mor and his family moved from the city the very day that we captured it. I chose him because he needs my help, despite his brilliance. The boy is crippled, and my ability to fully function makes me an asset to him. As a result, I have been able to blend in and am gathering the information we need, while also receiving training that will offer value to the new Empire.

  Everson stopped reading as the words blurred in his vision. A sweep of his fingers wiped the tears away, but new ones replaced them. All this time, I thought Jonah was my friend. He sobbed and tears dripped on the papers in his hand. Betrayal. It hurt far worse than he had expected – soul crushing to the point of breaking him.

  After a few minutes, he wiped his face dry and gathered his resolve. Jonah will not get away with this. He will find that he betrayed the wrong person.

  Standing, Everson walked to the door with the papers in hand. After slipping into the corridor, he locked it behind him and headed toward Ackerson’s office.

  35

  What Lay Beneath

  “Academy leaders found themselves at a loss,” Quinn said to her captors. “After interrogating the male cadets, they still hadn’t found the murderer. Lacking any leads, the investigation stalled.

  “Even without Darnya’s influence, Chuli remained my only friend. Others seemed reluctant to trust me.” Quinn frowned at the memory. “The academy leaders acted as if nothing had happened. My innocence had been proven to them, but I don’t think the girls saw it that way.

  “The next ten weeks passed without any events of note.” Quinn felt the ropes around her wrist beginning to loosen. “Chuli and I continued to train in secret, and our skills improved. On sparring days, I would win handily, and she often did the same. As my abilities and my confidence improved, I found myself longing to test a true set of blades.

  “Our monthly ranger outings continued, but their nature changed with the weather. Dressed in white cloaks and grey furs, we would hike through the snow, moving at a pace less than half of what we had grown used to. Even so, the effort of climbing mountains in waist-deep snow made us long for it to melt. The only aspect of those trips we found improved was the hunting. Tracking became far easier, while the lack of leaves and the white backdrop made it easier to spot game.

  “Horsemanship training continued, and we learned the dangers of ice, which can prove as much a threat to a horse’s footing as a human’s. While my skill at riding paled compared to Chuli’s, I found myself one of the better riders among the female cadets.

  “In archery, we found new challenges. They would rotate our days in the range, waiting for those days when the wind blew stiffly. When the cold breath of winter rolled down the mountains, drifting snow would blind us and sting exposed skin. In these conditions, we learned to account for the wind, keeping our arrow flight flat and compensating for drift. At first, I thought they were torturing us. However, as time went on, my perception began to change. By the end of winter, I found myself able to adjust on instinct – sometimes even before I shot the first arrow. Again, my skill was not as strong as Chuli’s, but it was better than most of my squad mates.

  “When the weather turned and the snow began to melt, Goren made an announcement that set the school afire.”

  Running as fast as she dared – far faster than when she had first tried it, Quinn crossed the series of beams high above the sparring room floor. She had realized months earlier that the trick was to see the beam and not the drop below it. Reaching the end, she leaped across the gap to the narrow ledge, careful not to hit the wall too hard and fall backward off it.

  She scaled down and dropped to the floor. When she turned, Vi called out “Forty-two counts.”

  While still collecting her breath, Quinn grimaced in frustration. It was her fastest time yet, but another overshadowed her personal achievement. She glanced at Yvette and found a smirk of satisfaction on the girl’s face. Possessing a compact frame, the brunette was fast and agile. It wasn’t that Quinn didn’t like Yvette. She just hated losing.

  “Formation!” Jasmine barked.

  Quinn and the other first-year cadets stood in one line, the second-year girls in another, five strides apart. As usual, Jasmine examined them as she strode down the gap. When she reached th
e far end, she commanded them.

  “March to my lead.”

  She led them out the door and down the corridor. Turning, the squad followed her to the door to the Coliseum, where she paused to face them.

  “Go in and find a seat. Captain Goren has an announcement to make. Be respectful. You will regret it if you embarrass me.”

  She pulled the door open and held it as the girls entered the massive building. When Quinn passed through the door, she found the male cadets already seated the front rows, so she and the other girls took seats in the open benches behind the boys.

  The building had undergone a change…one that was still in progress. A layer of partially constructed block wall covered the wall that separated the Coliseum from the baths. A single level of scaffolding stood beside the wall, while additional scaffolding sections waited at the other end of the Coliseum floor. The sight left Quinn wondering what the changes might mean, but the thought stalled when Goren strode to the center of the floor. He gazed upon the stands and addressed the crowd.

  “The Arena Championship is a competition with a long and illustrious history. For over a century, it has been a means to measure the top fighters against one another, rewarding one individual as the best. However, we have decided that the original intent of that competition no longer serves our needs.”

  The man’s voice bellowed throughout the building as he continued. “Since this institution was founded five years ago, the training that cadets receive has expanded beyond the artistry of close combat. Accordingly, we are introducing a new competition. The TACT Games will commence four weeks from today. As in past years, a series of duels will again occur in the Coliseum. In addition, we will hold events in archery, agility, horsemanship, and hunting. The winner of each will receive a medal and one gold piece. Where the competitors place in each event will also help to determine this year’s TACT Games Champion. In the event of a tie, the individuals involved will face each other in a game of Ratio Bellicus to decide the winner.”

  Reaching into his waistband, Goren removed a sheet of paper. Unfolding it, he continued. “Your squad leaders have selected those whom they feel are best suited to compete in this challenge. I have here, a list of ten first-year and ten second-year boys in addition to six first-year and six second-year girls. When I call your name, come down to the floor and assemble behind me.”

  He stared down at the paper and began announcing names. Quinn found herself considering who among her fellow first-year cadets might be included. Hirna, Chuli, and Yvette all seemed obvious. Beyond those three, she hoped to hear her name called.

  Hearing a familiar name called, it drew Quinn’s attention. Her eyes grew wide when Iko rose from the crowd, trailed by Percy as his name was announced next.

  Something quivered inside Quinn as she watched Iko descend the stands. The feelings she had for him had been buried beneath the winter snow. Seeing him felt like the spring sun rising, melting the snow and warming what waited beneath. She stared at him with her thoughts jumbled, twisted by the feelings stirring inside until Chuli poked her.

  “Ouch. What?” Quinn complained.

  “Goren called your name.”

  Quinn blinked and heard Chuli’s name called next.

  Standing, Quinn led Chuli down the stairs. When they reached the floor, she followed Hirna past Goren and found a spot behind him. Quinn looked at Iko, his eyes following her as a smile stretched across his face. Refusing to respond in kind, she remained stoic. When all names were called and the competitors had gathered behind Goren, he addressed the crowd.

  “The thirty-two cadets standing behind me will meet in this very room in four weeks. For five days, they will give their best, fighting for their pride as if fighting for their lives. When the contest ends, we will have our very first TACT Games champion.

  “You are dismissed.”

  Applause rang throughout the room, but Quinn ignored it. Her mind was elsewhere. She headed toward the stands and blended in with the cluster of students filtering out of the building. Rather than heading directly to the mess hall, she stepped aside and waited. When Iko passed by, she grabbed his arm and pulled him to a corner.

  “Ouch!” he appeared startled. “Um…hello, Quinn.”

  “You remember me?” The sarcasm in her tone was thick. “How touching.”

  He blinked. “I…I’m happy to see you.”

  “When did you get back?”

  “Last night.”

  “A night and a day pass, yet you couldn’t find time to see me, time to let me know that you’re safe.”

  “It was late when we arrived and…today was difficult. Sergeant Khallum woke Percy and me early and ran us though extra sessions to ensure we remained in condition.” He smiled. “You were concerned for my safety?”

  “Don’t change the subject. You were gone the entire winter and never sent word. When you returned, you neglected to find me. I thought you cared for me.”

  He moved closer and put his hand on her shoulder. “Quinn, I’m sorry. If I had the means, I assure you I would have sent word. I told you why I didn’t see you until now. Come and eat dinner with me. We can talk there.”

  The fire inside Quinn began to quell. His response seemed logical, but she didn’t feel like being logical – which made her irritated with herself. With a reluctant nod, she walked with him to the mess hall.

  “So, how is your mother?” she asked.

  His brow furrowed. “My mother?” He paused and blinked. “Oh. Sorry, my mind was elsewhere. While the temple healer was able to help her, she will not walk again. She now lives with my aunt, likely bedridden for some time, perhaps forever.”

  Quinn felt unsure of how to respond. Iko must have noticed her expression because he grinned and changed the subject.

  “At least I was able to avoid the harsh winter weather while I was away.”

  Quinn snorted. “Yes. You missed some painful ranger outings.”

  “Speaking of which, I wonder what they’ll task us with for the TACT Games events.”

  As Quinn led him toward the kitchen, she considered the topic and decided that she had better focus on her training. She didn’t plan to merely compete. She planned to win.

  36

  The Games Begin

  It was a beautiful spring day. The sun shone brightly, its warmth balanced by a cool mountain breeze. After three weeks of steady rain, several days of clear skies had dried the puddles away and had drawn fresh young leaves from the trees in the valley. A stray cloud passed before the sun, temporarily dimming the brightness and giving extra weight to the chill in the wind. Quinn shivered, but her stance remained true.

  The twelve female cadets and twenty male cadets who were among the competitors stood in rows four persons deep. With chests out, stomachs in, and arms at their sides, they remained still as Captain Goren announced their names to the crowd. Seating had been erected between the archery range and the riding fields to hold spectators for the first two events. The cadets who were not competing filled the stands, along with a smattering of officials from both schools.

  “To commence the first ever TACT Games, we begin with archery.” Goren gestured toward a woman dressed in greens. “Our Master Archer, Zina Hammerton, will announce this event.”

  Tall and lithe, the dark-haired woman stepped forward and gave Goren a nod. “Thank you, Captain.” She turned toward the crowd. “Archery consists of nothing but a person, a bow, an arrow, and a target. This is an individual competition where each bullseye is worth three points, the rest of the target worth one point, and any other shot results in zero points.

  “We begin with static targets at fifty paces. The sixteen top scorers advance to round two, the top eight to round three, and the last four top scorers move on to the finals. When I call your name, take position before a target and make ready. Do not loose an arrow until I call for it.”

  She read off eight names. While Quinn was not among them, Chuli’s name was. The Tantarri girl moved forward and chos
e a target, as did the other seven cadets. When the competitors stood ready with bows raised and arrows nocked, Hammerton hollered, “Release!”

  A staccato of twangs sounded, followed by the thumps of arrows striking. Repeatedly, Hammerton called for them to loose their arrows. Most arrows found their mark, but a few fell short or buried themselves into the hay bales stacked behind the targets. Amazingly, nine of Chuli’s shots found the small red circle on her target, the tenth landing just outside the edge. The archery assistants ran onto the field and collected arrows as they tallied scores. While most of the other competitors fared well, none came close to Chuli’s leading twenty-eight points.

  Another group of names were announced, this time both Iko’s and Percy’s landing among them. Quinn watched in curiosity. She knew Iko was skilled with a sword, but she had never seen him shoot. At the same time, she recalled Percy mentioning his skill with a bow and was eager to witness it for herself. Like Chuli, Percy shot with alarming accuracy, placing all ten arrows in the circle in the center for a full thirty points. At the same time, most of Iko’s arrows struck the target, with four landing within the bullseye. The score put him among the leaders, but far behind his friend.

  With the group finished, Quinn knew hers would be among the names called. As she approached her mark, she took a deep breath and fought to calm the fluttering in her stomach. Raising her bow, she drew an arrow, nocked it, and took aim. “Release!” She released the arrow. With a shallow arc, the arrow’s path bent a hand span to the left by the time it struck the target’s outer edge. When they sighted the next arrow, she considered her observation and shot. It struck a bullseye. With the following arrows, she did her best to repeat the results. By the time her ten arrows were spent, eight were buried in the target with three bullseyes.