Mythborn: Rise of the Adepts by V. Lakshman Read Free Book Online Page B

village were fully accounted for, one way or another.
    * * * * *
    “Wake them,” Alion said, motioning to the unconscious.
    Guards went to the well and roped up buckets of cold water. With these they doused the fallen, following with kicks and slaps until all were at least semi-conscious and able to kneel next to their friends.
    When the king’s mark was satisfied she had everyone’s attention, she said, “You know why we are here. You harbor those decreed by the King’s Law as a threat to this land. Point them out, and we will release you.”
    None said a word, which did not surprise Alion Deft at all. Simple folk often saw those with Talent as some kind of benefit and harbored them, a mistake she would not allow to go unpunished. She moved slowly until she stood silhouetted by the fire, which blazed like a mantle of yellow power behind her. “Separate them.”
    At her command, the children were grabbed and moved to one side, while the adults were held at sword point. Screams ensued and one mother ran forward to grab her son. Alion moved with the swiftness of a cat. Her blade licked out, slicing the woman’s head from her shoulders before returning to her scabbard in one smooth motion. The body and head fell separately, and the villagers instantly sank into a stifled hush of broken sobs and muttered curses.
    “You are in violation of the King’s Law, a decree designed to safeguard your lives! I bring justice and order. Where are they?” Alion knew she could have asked Kalissa, but this was the interesting part. She always wondered why people had such faith in their friends, when it took so little to turn them against each other.
    “Justice?” a kneeling man asked. “The king’s brother summons a demon and the land is plunged into war. For that, we pay with
our
lives?”
    Alion nodded, and a guard picked the man up and brought him before her. Her eyes narrowed. “Lilyth destroyed our world. King Galadine saved it. You owe him your respect.”
    The man shook his head, clearly distraught, “My wife...”
    The king’s mark looked at the headless body and shrugged. “She chose her path, as will you.” Alion grabbed him by the chin, forcing him to meet her eyes. “Where are the mages? Answer, or your son dies.”
    Two guards snatched up the boy in question and brought him to where the man could see him. It was clear this was the boy the dead woman had tried to save. They shoved him down to a kneeling position, and one placed his sword point at the nape of his neck.
    “No!” The man looked back at the king’s mark, pleading, “No, please.” He then looked about the group and pointed to a man near one end. “He is the one you seek. He and his wife!”
    Alion looked to where the man pointed and saw one of the men who had been unconscious. He knelt now, holding one hand to his bleeding forehead. She looked back at the man, then shoved him away. “Well done.” She then looked at the guards near the accused man and said, “Bring him here.”
    The guards obeyed, and the man was dragged before the king’s mark and dumped at her feet. Alion looked at the man and said, “Kalissa?”
    The girl walked forward, a small tremble in her lips. She came slowly, fear dragging at her feet.
    “Is this man one of your kind?” Alion asked.
    The girl looked at the man, who now focused his eyes on her with hatred. Because he was collared, she would not be able to see his aura, a sure sign he had Talent. Normal people always shone, regardless of the collar or not, just not as brightly as those with Talent. “Yes, King’s Mark. He is one of us.”
    “And the other?” Deft had pulled a dagger, wicked and sharp, absentmindedly picking at her nails.
    Kalissa looked at the pile of bodies and pointed. “Dead. His wife w-was the other,” she stammered.
    Alion watched the girl, then the man. When Kalissa mentioned his wife, she caught the look of anguish that flitted behind his eyes. So, she thought, the girl speaks truly, or