Call of the Colossus: An epic fantasy novel (The Mindstream Chronicles Book 2) by K.C. May Read Free Book Online Page A

assumed that if everyone I knew and trusted was dead, I would tell no one outside the Justice Bureau. He assumed that he could control me if I had no one to turn to.”
    King Yaphet nodded slowly, fingers tapping the arm of his chair. “It was a poor choice on his part. I say that not only in retrospect, considering where he is now, but from a tactical standpoint. His reasoning was flawed, whether you’re easily manipulated or not. I can understand his motivation, however.”
    Her eyes flew wide. How could he say such a thing?
    “As an adept and elder in the Justice Bureau, he was privy to all kinds of military plans and schemes, tactics and strategies. He was not, however, trained or experienced in conceiving and executing them. Sometimes people think themselves much more competent than they truly are, and their lack of competence and excess confidence make them dangerous. I believe he meant well, however.”
    “By killing two thousand innocent people?”
    “Of course not,” he said, holding his palms toward her. “His intention was to protect the people of Serocia and, I suspect, me.”
    Does he have anything to do with smuggling godfruit? Jora wondered.
    “I see that surprises you. Let’s talk about the so-called smuggling for a moment, and I’m sure you’ll understand what I mean. Tell me what you know about it. What did Boden uncover?”
    She told Yaphet what she’d read in Boden’s journal and what she’d witnessed when she Mindstreamed into his past—the initial sighting of men carting godfruit off to boats in the dark of night, his reports to the sergeant, his confrontation with the smugglers later, and his first death at the hands of the march commander over the incident. When his journal was discovered, he was hauled away in shackles to be court-martialed. Later, Boden’s friend Korlan came forward with the same concerns about the godfruit being smuggled to their enemies. He, too, was arrested. Jora arrived before he could be sent to Jolver for his court-martial. She took advantage of his willingness to get to the bottom of it.
    “I see,” King Yaphet said, nodding slowly. “Did the Legion commander have any explanation for the movement of godfruit during the night?” He seemed genuinely interested and concerned.
    “He said only to drop it. My impression was that he’d known about it but for some reason was looking the other way. Someone who out-ranks him must have told him not to interfere—or perhaps to ensure its continuation.”
    King Yaphet stood and began to pace silently. For a long moment, Jora watched him, his expression thoughtful and his gaze directed at the floor in front of his feet. After a long moment, he turned to her with a dim smile. “I apologize for falling silent all of a sudden. I do my best thinking on my feet.”
    “It’s quite all right. I understand.” In truth, she was relieved that he was giving the matter so much consideration. The justice officials would probably have buried it once they pronounced her guilty and executed her for her crimes.
    At last, the king took his seat again, but this time he leaned forward, looking earnestly into Jora’s eyes. “I believe I understand why they handled the matter as they did. If something untoward is going on, they’d want to keep it quiet. Imagine the civil unrest that would break out should this information become public knowledge.”
    Jora nodded. It was the rationale she’d heard before, the reason Sonnis had executed the Kailders.
    “Military dissent and civil war are the last things we need. I’m sure you can imagine how quickly Mangend and Arynd Ban would overrun the Isle of Shess, and then battle each other over whether to cut down the Tree of the Fallen God or take its fruit for themselves. It would only be a matter of time before they stormed up the coast and attacked Jolver. Meanwhile, our soldiers would be overrun and slain, our citizens would be at the mercy of our enemies, and Serocia’s entire