Guardians of Rhea by Jose Rodriguez Read Free Book Online Page A

“Did you remember to pack
your weather gear?”
    “Of course,” Sara replied, putting the
backpack on. She equipped a talon on each wrist and tested them to
make sure the blades extended.
    “Here,” Arthur said, handing Sara a halo. He
grabbed a bow, collapsed it, and attached to Sara’s pack.
    “Thanks,” Sara said, then putting on a small
hip quiver with arrows. She put one foot against a table and
buckled a holster with small throwing daggers around her thigh.
    “Ready?” Arthur asked.
    Sara quickly checked to make sure she had her
equinox. “Ready as I'll ever be.”
    Leon waited with several Guardians by the
main gate as Sara and Arthur approached.
    “You know,” Arthur began. “Even though you're
new, I can't think of anyone better to send than you.”
    Sara thought Arthur was trying to comfort
her. “I'm not that nervous.”
    “I mean it! You've got the attitude, the
training, and...well, not much experience, but a little is better
than...”
    “Hey, look at Leon,” Sara said.
    “What about him?”
    “Sun is out, and his hood is down.”
    As he came up to Leon, Arthur said.
“Vesuvians don't like sunlight. Let me guess, a birth defect?”
    “You could call it that,” Leon answered.
    “Are you sure?” Sara said, sarcastically.
“Most Vesuvians would die in an instant.”
    “I assure you,” Leon said. “I'm a
Vesuvian.”
    Arthur signaled the guards to open the gate.
“Leon, this had better not be some kind of trick.” He turned to
Sara. “See you soon.”
    “Thanks,” Sara said. “Okay, Leon, lead the
way.”
    Arthur watched as Sara and Leon went on their
way past the gate. “Wait!”
    Sara and Leon turned.
    “Here,” Arthur said, holding out his custom
equinox.
    Sara was surprised. “Arthur, I can't.”
    “I'm not giving it to you. I want it back
when you return.”
    Sara hesitated, but took the equinox and
holstered it. “Thanks, Arthur.”
    With a final nod, Arthur returned to the gate
and had it closed.
     
     
     

CHAPTER TEN
     
    “Isn't there a road or path we can take?”
Sara asked, making her way through the brush as she followed
Leon.
    “No,” Leon answered. “We have no need for
them, and they would only show you humans where to find us.”
    “Then where are we going?”
    “By nightfall we should reach an outpost. We
can stay there until tomorrow.”
    “And then where?” Sara asked. “The
Netherworld?”
    “No. We have to go to Vesuvia and see the
Council. They need to know what's going on, and they’re likely
upset that I haven’t returned yet.”
    “Vesuvia? We're actually going to Vesuvia?
That's your capital, isn't it?”
    “Kind of, it's the only city we have.”
    “Just one city? It must be huge to hold all
of your people.”
    “Yeah, compared to what humans have here in
Rhea. But I guess it's not really fair since we've been here for
ages and you humans made your first settlement...what was it, a
little over a hundred years ago?”
    “I’m not exactly sure,” Sara answered. “A
hundred and fifty years, I think.”
    “No way,” Leon said. “It can’t be older than
me. I remember seeing the first human settlers.”
    “What?! You don't look a day past
twenty-five.”
    “I’m a hundred and forty-three.” Leon said.
“And you?”
    “I just turned twenty-one a few weeks ago,”
Sara said. “Do all Vesuvians age that slowly?”
    “Pretty much,” Leon said, breaking several
small branches in his path.
    There was a brief moment of silence as Sara
continued to follow. “How old do Vesuvians live?”
    “Good question. No one really knows.”
    “You're telling me no Vesuvian has ever died
of old age? How is that?”
    “Well, the oldest one is maybe two thousand
years old.”
    “So every Vesuvian that came before him died
of unnatural causes?”
    “Yup,” Leon answered. “And please don't ask
me to explain all the different ways a Vesuvian can die. But I can
tell you the eldest Vesuvian to ever live, an Orlok, died shortly
before