The Ancient Ones (The Legacy Trilogy Book 3) Read online

  ‘So what will you do with these agents? Turn them into Truthseekers? Ask them to revolt?’

  The magician gave Leopold a doubting glance. ‘There is no need of Truthseekers in Koia, Leopold. Magic has never been allowed to take root here. I will take care of any Eudan magicians we may meet, and the Koians should eventually take care of the rest. As for revolution, I will leave such events to Lady Wind. We do not have the time to meddle in politics. I am sure she has suitable plans.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘She is a cunning and resourceful woman, Leopold. She has not mentioned as much, but I know she has events plotted out for her nation, just as she plotted our course here across the oceans. Do you remember when she told Phoenix she would free Empress Moon?’

  ‘I do,’ Leopold said.

  ‘She lied.’

  ‘Why would she do that?’ Leopold felt a tinge of intrigue.

  ‘Empress Moon was not as benevolent a ruler as her subjects fool themselves into believing. She used the powers of their unwitting god to keep tabs on her empire, observing the people’s thoughts and dreams. If Empress Moon wasn’t entirely pleased with what her citizens were thinking, swift action was taken. I get the feeling that if the Eudans had not succeeding in overthrowing the government, the Koian people would have done it themselves. With their god gone, Empress Moon lost her most powerful weapon. Repression and subjugation have a way of making people unhappy. No. What I want from my agents is the location of their Temple of Shadows. There will be one here somewhere.’

  ‘What would you want with a temple?’ Leopold asked with interest.

  ‘The temples are sanctuaries: repositories of all the magical artefacts and knowledge gathered by the Circle. I will destroy it.’

  ‘May I ask why, or is that assuming you actually have some reasoning for such things?’

  ‘Because when I am finished,’ the magician told him, ‘I want nothing of a magical nature left upon the world. They are hangovers from a time before. We no longer have need of such things. Such power only causes conflict.’

  ‘There will always be conflict, with or without magical relics,’ Leopold said flatly.

  ‘True, Leopold, but the stakes will not be so high. Magic is honey to beasts and demons. It draws them closer and it makes them ravenous.’

  ‘Is that why you destroyed the tower in Cintar? I assumed you were just mad, or throwing a fit.’

  ‘It is,’ Samuel said with a solemn nod. ‘The Mage Tower was saturated with magic, a tool of slovenly Order bureaucrats who wanted to reach the heights with minimal effort. Better to remove it and do without. There is little magic left in Cintar now to attract Poltamir’s wrath. Perhaps the people will still be alive when we return. Who knows? They could be lucky.’

  Leopold considered it for a moment, realising the truth of it, wondering if their cause was already lost. Everyone in the city could have been butchered by fiends the very same day they left, and they would never know.

  ‘I want to ask you: why do you want me along? Do you still trust me when I have sworn to avenge what you did to my father?’

  ‘Of course I trust you, Leopold. I trust you to behave in the manner of all people: that you will act spontaneously and erratically because of your youth; that you will act pettily and jealously because you are royalty; that you will act in ignorance, because you were raised in isolation; that you will act selfishly, because you are merely human; and that of course you will harbour vengeance towards me, because you believe I killed your father.

  ‘There is little you could do to surprise me, Leopold, except to be perfect, and I would certainly not expect that of anyone—not you and least of all myself. Yes, I do want you to accompany me. You are safer nowhere more than with me and if all this comes off—if by some miracle we are successful—Turia will need a leader.

  ‘I thought I would never hear myself say it, but the Turian Empire is the best chance the people of Amandia have. If it survives, that tiny clot of civilisation will do much to restore order to the entire continent. My final reason: the place you can do least damage is with me. We still need this ship, and the last thing I want is you burning it down or setting the crew to riot while I am absent.’

  ‘Oh. So once again it all boils down to what you need.’

  ‘Of course it does, Leopold. Did you expect any different?’

  Leopold’s spirits fell. ‘Is anything you do genuine? Is anything for anyone besides yourself?’

  The magician looked confused. ‘Everything I do is genuine. I am trying to save the world, Leopold. How could that be for myself?’

  ‘I get the feeling you would sacrifice us all if it meant saving your son.’

  ‘I would be a fool not to,’ stated Samuel.

  Leopold scoffed at this, leaving the magician to continue his explanation.

  ‘Let me put it this way, Leopold, given that you are so quick to judge and so slow to think. If my son were to perish, the result would be much worse than anything you could imagine.’ He paused, gathering his thoughts. ‘Did your mother ever tell you I once walked fair across Amandia to find you; that I pulled you from the maw of a beast that was about to devour you, and placed you back into her desperate arms?’

  ‘She did,’ Leopold admitted, ‘but that was a different magician called Samuel—the one from my childhood. The one I met seems nothing like that man.’

  ‘The one you met has much more to contend with. Which reminds me: Jessicah will also be coming with us, so I don’t want you making trouble for her.’

  ‘Is that wise? Is it necessary?’

  ‘Yes on both counts. I need to keep a close eye on her. You are the only one who knows her secret, Leopold. Rei is growing stronger and Jessicah is in grave danger. There is little I can do to prevent it, except to keep her from harm.’

  ‘I understand.’ Despite the magician’s uncanny ability to read thoughts, it seemed he had not gleaned all Leopold’s secrets just yet, or else, he had simply chosen not to reveal it. ‘You love her, don’t you?’ he asked.

  ‘Jessicah? Of course I do,’ Samuel responded. ‘As much as I can still feel love. To me, she is as perfect as any person can be. I know my vision is distorted, and that my feelings for her have no logical basis, but she was the only thing I cherished as a child that still survives. She was the only one who had faith in me. She saw me through the hard times after my family’s death. She is my saviour, and I will be ever thankful that she exists.’

  ‘You’re not jealous of her and Captain Orrell?’ Leopold asked.

  ‘Not at all. I am very glad. She is my cousin, remember, Leopold. Even if it is true that she is not my cousin in blood, she is my cousin up here.’ He tapped his head. ‘I wish them all the best. I could not think of a better man to court her.’

  The statement irked Leopold. Was he not a suitable enough man for her? ‘And what about these two?’ Leopold asked, gesturing to the sleeping boy and old man on their bunks. ‘Will they be coming with us, also?’

  ‘Not this time,’ Samuel said. ‘Our party is already larger than I would prefer and those two pests are the last thing I need. We could never cover up their oddities or keep them from roaming. I am only putting up with Lady Wind’s company because I share her dislike for Empress Moon.’

  ‘Why is that? It’s not like you to bear grudges.’

  The magician missed the sarcasm in Leopold’s voice entirely. ‘Suffice to say, long ago she hurt someone I cared for.’

  ‘I note our new Koian passengers have been having trouble getting their needs known to the crew. Will you not enable everyone to understand what they say? Can you not cast the same spell on the crew that you used on me?’

  ‘They will make do, Leopold. I am purposefully keeping the women isolated from the crew. These sailors are a lusty bunch at the best of times. It would cause more trouble than it’s worth if they could suddenly communicate with our pretty guests. When the time comes, those who need to speak with them, will. Now, you need your rest
. I will leave you to sleep.’

  ‘What about you, Samuel?’ Leopold asked, shifting about, preparing to lie down once again. ‘Don’t you ever rest?’

  ‘Of course I do.’ With that, the magician turned and quietly let himself out. As his boot steps faded along the timber hall, the lock on Leopold’s door clicked quietly and slid itself back into place.

  ****

  It would take them a few more days to reach the city and they crawled past Spring, the last of The Four Seasons, on an overcast afternoon. It was the largest of the sacred islands, a rugged length of inhospitable mountains, sheer grey cliffs rising from the sea.

  Instead of jungle, the island was covered with millions upon millions of seabirds. Clouds of them wheeled in the air, following each other, crafting overlapping circles and spirals beneath the grey sky. Every inch of cliff-face was pocked with their nests, the stone stained white beneath from countless seasons of their leavings spilling down. The birds screamed and called in a deafening throng, diving down into the sea after fish and turning their stubby, black-and-white heads sideways as they hovered in the wind or floated on the waves, observing the Farstride and its crew with curiosity.

  Phoenix knew the waters well and kept them on course. From that point, the archipelago began in earnest, with dozens of small islands visible at any time, and apparently it would continue like that all the way to the coast.

  The crew was pushed to the edge of madness by the overbearing humidity and the sudden torrential showers that dropped from sullen skies without warning and ceased just as quickly. The water that fell was warm and gave no relief from the heat. The crew had begun calling it ‘the bathwater of the gods’.

  Thunder shook the heavens each afternoon and Leopold could not remember hearing anything so loud in his life. There was little lightning to accompany it, as if even the clouds could not help but rumble and complain about the heat, letting out their interrupted downpours to emphasise the matter. At least the rain did wash away the clammy sweat, and the crew smelled decidedly better—outdoors at least; beneath the decks the humidity was creating all sorts of unsavoury fragrances.

  Men dripped with perspiration and most crew went shirtless as they saw to their duties. There was little point in wearing clothes, for they became drenched with sweat in moments—sweat that would not evaporate and likewise did nothing to cool one down.

  ****

  Leopold was bored as usual. It had been a long time since he had bothered climbing amongst the sails. He had learnt everything there was to learn and could work the ropes better than most of the crew—if he wished to. With this heat, he certainly did not wish to exert himself and spent his time lying on his bed fanning himself and grumbling, praying that Samuel would not appear to set him to further meaningless chores.

  About the only things that could rouse his interest enough to make him venture outside were when the thunder called (for he found its skybound rumbling fascinating), or when he thought he might have a chance of seeing the Koian women. They had proved especially evasive—at Lady Wind’s direct instructions so he had heard—and made only fleeting appearances on deck.

  On this occasion, boredom proved to be the deciding factor and, stalking outside, Leopold peered disdainfully at the swollen grey sky above and set about finding someone for a bout of swordplay. He dreaded the weather, but he had come to dislike the monotony even more.

  He finally found a man by the name of Ferl who, despite obviously despising practice with Leopold, put up with it without complaint, being the good Turian he was. Furthermore, Ferl allowed Leopold to get the better of him, which made him one of Leopold’s favourites.

  They dispensed with drills at Leopold’s insistence and went straight to duelling, batting their practice weapons together loudly upon the main deck.

  Leopold drew off his shirt and tossed it aside, his lean body glistening with sweat. The small crowd of onlookers cheered to see their Emperor getting the better of his partner, with poor Ferl pouring with perspiration in his hot uniform and looking decidedly uncomfortable. While Commander Riggadardian was indifferent about the crew working bare chested, he would absolutely not permit his officers to do the same.

  Ferl was obviously not in the best mood today and he struck Leopold on the back soundly as the young Emperor made a rather foolish lunging jab. It enraged Leopold and he threw his sword down upon the deck, and swore aloud. The men were quiet as he bent and retrieved his weapon. Standing, Leopold glanced about to see if Captain Orrell was near, for the man would surely have disapproved. He could almost hear the captain lecturing in his head, saying, ‘Leopold, you have nothing to prove!’ Damn it! He did have something to prove. He hated being beaten!

  He stood straight and granted Ferl a deceitful smile, before rushing in with a quick volley of blows. Ferl back-pedalled, worried by Leopold’s sudden burst of aggression, and finally darted out of the young Emperor’s reach. Leopold was not about to be bettered and sallied again, this time landing a sharp blow to Ferl’s forearm, making the man dance aside, rubbing at it and looking greatly upset.

  The crowd cheered again and Leopold bowed to them in response. His brooding vanished. He now felt greatly satisfied.

  ‘Thank you, thank you!’ he told the crowd, circling one hand to them in gracious appreciation.

  Some feminine giggling from above caught his attention and Leopold glanced to the top of the aft deck. A row of black-haired Koian damsels was looking down at him.

  Now, Leopold could not help himself after this and began strutting around boldly.

  ‘It’s really quite a boiling afternoon, isn’t it, Your Majesty?’ Ferl said, trying to put an end to his misery.

  ‘Nothing out of the ordinary, Ferl. We have a few more days of this weather yet to endure before we arrive. Let’s have one more turn at it, and then I’ll let you have your rest.’

  Leopold lashed out confidently, slapping his sword at the poor man as hard as he could, barking with each stroke. It was all too much for Ferl, and perhaps the man yielded just to see an end to it all. He turned his back and presented his Emperor with an irresistible target. Leopold stepped in with a grin and gave him a great poke between the ribs with the tip of his sword. Ferl yelped and dropped his weapon, and the crowd shouted victoriously. Poor Ferl was left rubbing at the spot on his back and grimacing in discomfort.

  ‘Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. You left your defence wide open,’ Leopold told him with a lecturing tone.

  ‘Think nothing of it, Your Majesty,’ Ferl replied humbly, red in the face from the heat. ‘Good win. I think you’ve far surpassed my ability to teach you anything more.’

  ‘Nonsense, my man,’ Leopold told him. ‘I enjoy sparring with you immensely. I couldn’t do without you.’

  He made sure his words carried loudly. Glancing up, he could see flash of the Koian ladies’ smiles as they laughed and whispered excitedly to each other, no doubt impressed by his skills. Such women would never have seen such prowess, trapped on their island as they were, and Turian swordplay was the most advanced of its kind.

  An enthusiastic young crewman brought Leopold a jug of water and Leopold dropped his weapon while he gulped it down, then finished by pouring the remainder of it over his head to cool himself down.

  The men cheered and laughed. ‘Good show, Your Majesty!’ some called. ‘Brilliant work, Your Highness!’ shouted others.

  He retrieved his wooden baton and skipped up the three flights of stairs towards the top of the aftcastle.

  ‘Ladies!’ he called as he made the high decking, and the Koian woman turned to him, all smiles and whispers. There were ten of them side by side, each seemingly more beautiful than the last as he feasted his eyes upon them. ‘It’s good to see you out of your cabins. Are you enjoying our hospitality?’ He was not sure if they could understand him, but his address caused even more excitement. Still, none spoke in return.

  One of them waggled her finger towards Leopold’s sword as she whispered in her friend’s
ear.

  ‘Well,’ Leopold continued, granting them his best smile and swaggering about with his practice weapon resting on his shoulder, ‘I must admit I am still a student of the sword but I am glad you enjoyed the display.’

  ‘Oh, we did,’ one replied and Samuel’s magic did its job of letting him understand.

  Leopold was glad to finally have some response. It was the woman called Kali, and she leant casually against the railing behind her, a little more in the manner of a bar patron than with the proper posture such ladies should exhibit. ‘We did not know an emperor could be so intimate with his men. It is very informative and entertaining. And this performance, playing with wooden sticks like children, what is its purpose?’

  ‘What’s that?’ Leopold asked, still grinning, not sure he had heard her correctly. ‘Why … why it was swordplay,’ he stated hesitantly, trying to reaffirm his confidence.

  ‘Were you flailing your arms on purpose?’ she asked, but it was obvious from her tone that she was teasing him. She gasped and put her hand to her mouth in mock surprise. ‘Was it not all foolery?’

  ‘Oh dear,’ said Arrow beside her. ‘In that case, your man is very gracious to put up with you. He is your superior in every way, avoiding you as you stagger about like a drunken ox, allowing you to better him.’

  Kali seemed eager to speak again. ‘Your fellow took a beating just so he could be away from you. Surely you knew, or did you not?’

  Leopold felt the smile petrify on his face, then wilt and waft away. ‘Oh.’ There was little else he could say.

  ‘We hope you are going to let your soldiers do all the fighting, Your Majesty,’ a third woman declared, ‘or we may be better off returning to our island.’