Legon ascension, p.31
Legon Ascension, page 31
part #2 of Legon Series
* * * * *
Barnin walked on deck after seeing the ship’s doctor. Heath was in his rack. The doctor had given him a sleeping draft. Barnin had refused his, and Ankle was glued to Rachel’s side. He’d never seen him act like this before, but he didn’t blame him. The sea air was cold and mist from the waves peppered his face as he walked to the hunched form of Umbra at the rail.
Her eyes were puffy, and she looked defeated. Barnin put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Thanks for saving our backsides today, I owe you.”
She forced a smile and looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. “We didn’t know,” she whispered.
He realized what she meant. “I know. How could you have?”
“Tell me, I’ve only seen Rachel. Tell me, what I didn’t see?” Umbra pleaded.
Barnin relayed the story of their trip to the Mors lands, and then what he and the others saw. About how long it had been going on, how they found Rachel, everything. “You said there was a class eight?”
She wiped her eyes. “Yes, it must have just jumped in. It takes a lot of power to jump any real distance. If it hadn’t had just jumped we would have died.”
Barnin felt goosebumps. “You couldn’t have gotten away or hurt it or anything?”
She chuckled. “No, even if I wasn’t planning on jumping, it takes several class sevens to bring down an eight. That’s why I was so frantic when we landed. But an eight is small in comparison with Mors. When you’ve been an Ascended as long as I have you can tell when someone is new. It shows in the way they fly, in the way they use magic, everything, it’s like a child almost. I don’t think we will have to worry about that eight for some time to come. I don’t see the Impa wasting him.”
“It’s a him, huh? I guess I didn’t look at the plumbing when he was trying to kill me.”
This time she laughed, for real. “Shut it.”
The captain came up to them then. “Umbra, you have been ordered to take Rachel with you to the capital. Once we are in range, you will fly to Manton and jump to Seeon. Barnin, we will drop you and your men off in Manton before we make our way back home,” he said, and then left.
“Sasha was in the room when you gave your report, wasn’t she?” Barnin asked.
“Yes, Un Prose, Sasha, was there, why?”
Barnin relaxed. “Sasha is the most caring person to ever live. She’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that Rachel never suffers again.” He was proud. Sasha was the closest thing to a sister he had.
A few days later Rachel woke up. The doctor had patched her up well and wasn’t letting anyone question her. Barnin was fine with that. He didn’t really want to know what it was like living in Mors. He’d seen enough to give him nightmares for the rest of his life. Ankle was still not leaving her side. Barnin was sure that if given his way Ankle would never leave her. Something inside of him had changed when they watched that woman get killed.
* * * * *
Umbra was getting ready to leave. They were close to Manton, and then she and Rachel would depart for Seeon. Rachel wasn’t looking much better than she had when they’d picked her up. She was still thin and bony. The doctor said she would recover, but that it would take a long time. Ankle was having a hard time with the idea of leaving her, and the captain contacted Seeon to see if they could send Rachel to the Precipice dome instead, so Ankle could be close to her. It was decided that Rachel was too much of an asset and that she needed to be in Seeon, although Legon had requested that Ankle come with her so he could give a firsthand report.
It was early in the morning and most of the ship was asleep. When Umbra got on deck Barnin and Heath were talking to Ankle. “You make sure they know everything we do. Heath, can you give him our memories?” Barnin was saying. Umbra was surprised that Barnin didn’t protest that Ankle was leaving. When she had asked him, he just said that Ankle had earned it.
“I have the memories Barnin. Heath sent them to me when he made his report,” Umbra said.
“That’s what I’m worried about. Heath isn’t all that bright, and then to you…” Barnin said, shrugging at Umbra and Heath. The latter gave him a rude hand gesture.
“You know I can eat you, right?” Umbra said, coming up to them.
Barnin smirked. “Anytime baby, anytime,” he said.
“I bet Sam will love to hear that,” Heath retorted.
“Heath, so help me, I will tell the new replacements that you like to share bed rolls,” Barnin threatened, and then looking at Umbra. “And what’s with the threats? Iselin has threatened to eat me like fifteen times too.”
She pursed her lips. “I really don’t know, it’s not like anything about you is appetizing in any way,” she said suggestively.
Umbra turned at the sound of other footsteps. Rachel was coming on deck. She was moving around fine, but her boney form always made Umbra think she was going to break somehow. The ship’s doctor had cleaned her up and given her new clothes. Color was starting to return to her face, but she still looked much the same as she had the day Umbra had first seen her. Rachel made her way to Ankle’s side, standing close to him. She turned her hazel eyes to Umbra. “Thank you for taking me today,” she said timidly, and looking at Ankle, “You’re still coming, right?”
It was good Ankle was coming with them. While Rachel was getting better physically, she was nowhere near ready to be on her own again mentally. She looked at Ankle as if he was her personal hero, and in truth he was. Umbra couldn’t imagine taking that away from anybody.
Umbra ascended, getting ready to leave. Many Ascended preferred being in this form rather than Elvin, but she didn’t have a preference. There were times when each was nice. She looked down at Rachel and Ankle as they were getting ready. Unlike last time, they would be able to ride on her shoulders, which would be far more comfortable. Still, Rachel didn’t have any padding. She’d be sitting right on bone.
Ankle touched Umbra’s mind. “I have a pad here, do you mind?”
“Good thinking, I will stick it to me and her to it,” Umbra said.
Soon her two passengers were secured to her and she was ready to leave. Umbra looked back at the wide-eyed Rachel and sent soothing emotions at her. She seemed to calm. Normally after one’s mind had been touched, it was difficult to influence their thoughts unless they were open to it. Surprisingly, Rachel was. Umbra figured all the girl had seen was fear for who knows how long, and she probably relished the feelings of peace and happiness Umbra sent her.
Umbra turned to the sea and launched herself into the air. The cold didn’t affect a dragon, but the warm moist air felt good on her wings nonetheless. She rose up in the sky, making her way to the dome. Now that Rachel was comfortable with her, she almost seemed to enjoy it. Being in Rachel’s mind, Umbra could feel just how foreign happiness was for this girl. She didn’t seem to feel comfortable smiling, as if it was something entirely new. This tore at Umbra. Seeing someone in the state Rachel was in, she couldn’t help but feel compassion for her. Ankle had her tucked in close to him. There was one who hated flying, but if that was the price to protect Rachel, it looked like one he would pay. Umbra could understand Ankle. His attachment to Rachel was stronger than what Umbra felt, but she knew that like Ankle, she too would do anything to keep this girl from suffering again.
The morning fog was still burning off of the sea, but as they grew closer to the coast they started to see ships. Most of them looked to be military, sailing in formation.
“Looks like your navy is getting ready for the war,” Umbra said.
Ankle’s tone was grim. “We figured it would happen in the next few months. Manton has been getting ready for some time now. These ships have been here for a while, doing maneuvers and such,” he explained.
“War? What war?” Rachel asked.
Umbra decided to answer her. “Yes, between the free human lands and the Cona Empire, and of course the Pawdin or Elvin Empire and the Impa or Iumenta. It has been coming for some time now Rachel, but do not worry, you will be safe.”
They were over the Cornis Mountains now. Umbra was taking a direct line to the dome, so they would not be passing over Manton, but they did see the many camps of soldiers as they passed overhead.
They were almost to the jump site and Umbra disconnected with Rachel and Ankle, feeling out for the crystal. Power welled up in her as she prepared to make the jump. She connected with the crystal and checked to make sure she was clear. Power extended out to her talons and wing tips, and she closed her eyes. 5… 4… letting herself slip into the jump 3… confirming Rachel and Ankle were secure 2… folding her wings 1… opening her eyes to the spot of light… JUMP… the rush of energy and then nothingness for a heartbeat. Umbra unfolded her wings and breathed in the sweet air of Seeon.
* * * * *
Legon waited at the east entrance of the palace for Umbra to land. With him were Sasha, Laura, Iselin, Sydin, Opes and a host of medical staff, along with the normal guard. Umbra’s dark form glided to them, touching down lightly. Ankle, and who Legon presumed to be Rachel, dismounted. Rachel was thinner than Legon thought possible, and from what he’d been told, she’d gained weight on their trip.
Legon gave the medical staff the go-ahead to take care of Rachel. Four Elves walked over, flanking her in case she fell. Rachel was still too far away for non humans to see just how poor of shape she was in. When they got close, Legon heard Sasha and Laura gasp.
“What happened to her?” Laura asked, her voice low and disbelieving.
“Mors happened,” Legon said in a low voice, and then to Ankle and Rachel, “Ankle, thank you for coming.” He walked up to Rachel, who was looking down and uncomfortable. Legon lifted her face, looking into her eyes. “Rachel, my name is Legon. I am the head of this house. I know that you have been through a lot. Would you like me to make you feel a bit better?” he asked. She nodded, unsure. “Thank you, please relax your mind.”
Power welled up in him as he delved into Rachel’s mind. He felt more pain and misery then he had ever thought possible, but there it was. He didn’t look for specific memories, her pain was too vast, but he was able to give her a reprieve. The suffering and fear was like poison. It took all of his will to try and manage it. It was a testament to his magical minor that he didn’t lose his mind. Still, he wasn’t scratching the surface. Umbra’s thoughts joined Legon’s, lending him strength, and then there were Iselin, and Sasha, Opes and Sydin. Umbra introduced Ankle’s mind. Soon Legon had a sea of support and he held Rachel’s torment at bay, allowing her to fill with the compassion from those in the network. Too soon, Legon had to pull away.
Drained, he opened his eyes and looked down at Rachel’s calm expression. He placed his hands on her small frame and leaned in to her ear. “I know you’re hurting again, but remember, there is hope.” She nodded slightly.
Legon moved back. “Thank you all. Rachel, you have had a long day. Please allow us to show you to your quarters. Ankle, Umbra, please forgive me, but we would like to debrief you immediately.”
* * * * *
Sasha walked next to Legon as they made their way to the war room. She was having a hard time believing what she had just seen. Even her guard seemed shaken. Entering the war room, she tried to push Rachel from her mind. Ankle and Umbra entered the room behind them, Umbra in her Elvin form. The table in the center of the room lit up.
“Umbra, why don’t you begin,” Opes said.
Umbra explained her entrance into the Cona Empire and her drop of Barnin’s unit. “The day I retrieved the team I was doing some basic reconnaissance work. I was trying to figure out Impa routes into the Cona lands, bridges, towns and other key areas.”
“Did you find anything of value?” Sydin asked.
She shook her head. “I’m not sure sir. There were towns and the like but from what I could tell, many of them were empty.”
“Empty?” Iselin asked.
“Yes, Un Prose, empty. The towns were ghost towns. I think I may have found seven or eight. I was going to make another pass and see if I could figure out why they were abandoned, but I was called away by Heath.
“I made my way to where Barnin and his men were. When I was close, I became aware of another Ascended. They were not doing much to hide themselves, and based on my encounter I would say they are young. “
“This was the class eight?” Opes verified.
“Yes, he was a class eight. There is no denying it.”
The room was quiet for some time. The news that there was an eight was not good. Thanks to the efforts of the last few years, the Elves should have a significantly higher number of dragons than the Iumenta, but this was still a problem. One eight could take down several sevens, and…
“How do we know there aren’t more?” Legon asked.
Sydin frowned. “We don’t. From what we’ve seen, we still have more Ascended.” He didn’t sound overly confident.
Legon pinched the bridge of his nose. “I guess it’s a moot point anyway. Ankle?”
Ankle launched into a detailed account of what they had seen. The crystal in the war room could project someone’s memories on the display, and they watched Ankle’s, Barnin’s and Heath’s memories. “As you can see, the people in the breeding program are kept separate from the others, almost like livestock. We don’t know where Rachel fits into this. We didn’t talk about that on the way back.
“You can also see here that they are training children from birth. Once again, we didn’t get much in the way of detailed information. Sorry, sir.”
Sasha was disgusted and didn’t care to be part of the conversation anymore. Her mind reached out to her mother. “Is Rachel settled in?” she asked.
“Yes, she is, but I dare say she’d rather be with you guys,” her mother said, flustered.
Sasha was confused. “Why is that? Is everything ok?”
“She is insisting that she is well enough to talk. Honestly, I think she feels guilty that she is now safe and all of those other people are not.”
Sasha considered this. “Is she well enough?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Sasha turned her attention back to the room. Everyone was talking theories about what all Mors could hold, when she interrupted. “My mother says that Rachel is insistent that she speaks with us. She is well enough. I think we should let her talk.”
Legon nodded his head. “Very well. If she’s able and willing, let’s have her.”
“Mother, please bring Rachel to the war room.”
* * * * *
Legon waited patiently for Rachel to arrive. When she entered the room, she didn’t seem to need support. The tall wooden door shut behind her. Nervous eyes curtained in thin hair swept the room. Her outline against the dark wood of the door made Legon pause. She looked like a corpse come to life from a nightmare. What hair she had was only in patches on her head. Her skin was almost translucent and pale against the door.
“Rachel, thank you for doing this. Would you like to take a seat?”
“Yes, thank you. Un Prosa, correct?” she verified.
Legon smiled warmly. “Legon is fine” he said, bringing two chairs to the center of the room. She sat across from him, the rest of the room standing out of the way so as not to intimidate her. “Rachel, we have many questions for you about Mors, but please do not feel like you have to answer them all today. If you feel ill or tired…”
An odd look crossed Rachel’s face. It was one of mingled pain and anger. “Thank you, but I have felt sick long enough. I would like to tell you my story, and then from there you could maybe ask me questions?”
“Very well. Would you like some water or Poti?” he offered.
“Thank you, whatever you are having, and please forgive my tone. I assure you my anger is not directed toward you. I suppose you know how grateful I am…”
Legon poured her a glass of Poti. “We only took your pain, and there is no need for apology. That being said, knowing your pain I have a fairly good idea how grateful you are. Now, please tell us your story.”
Rachel took a breath and launched in “I was sixteen. I lived in a town up north. It was spring, and we started hearing things… started hearing of people going missing… not into the care though. There seemed to be more of those, but just random people. Anyway, we started to see Iumenta at dusk on the outskirts of town. It was… unnerving, to say the least. That’s when people started to disappear from our town. We were all frightened.
“One night, they came,” she shivered. “Humans, in black. They killed most of the town, drug off the bodies. Those of us that survived were in the center of town. Some Iumenta came, and asked around. There were only ten of us, so it didn’t take long. I told them that my mother was a wet nurse, and that I had helped her out. It was that skill that saved my life…
“We were taken to Mors, and held in a large stone room. We were chained to the wall. An Iumenta came and used magic to put a mark on the back of my neck. They did the same with my friend Pamela… the people from our town were there as a treat for the men who performed the best taking our town… Pamela and I were not to be touched, but we were to watch, to see what awaited us.
“There were five of them. They first unlocked one of the men from the town… they had whips and sharp tools. I’ve never seen so much blood in my life, never heard someone scream like he did. It took him over an hour to die…
“They took one of the women next. They ravaged her and then killed her in much of the same way.” She shuddered and looked up, glassy-eyed. “They made us watch everyone die. They made us watch. They broke us without laying a hand on us.” She took a drink. “That was the beginning. Pamela was a breeder. I was to help with the pregnant women and in the nurseries. This gave me the benefit of not always having to be in the breeding area, but that also meant I learned more about the camp.
“Breeders are fed and sheltered. I was given some food too, but we stayed in the cages. It was a long road of work and starvation that would be my death. Anyway, how the camp works is straightforward actually. If you are in the care and you are female, you are a breeder. If you are a male, you fight to the death. Whoever lives is then made a breeder. They only want the strong. The men will impregnate ten or so women, and then they are used to teach the children how to kill.
