Rout of the Dem-Shyr (The Ascendant Series) by Raine Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

for her. The gardens were monitored. “The Dane megai is about a three-day ride from the palace. It’s the closest megai to this one, which works well since so many Mynders work out here.”
    “How big is it?”
    “Big. It’s a full week to get to the Luja megai to the north. About half that to get to the Rowe megai to the west.”
    “What’s to the east?”
    “The Savyaan Sea. Some of the Dane who don’t work here at the palace make their living on the sea.”
    “Ah. Is there a palace in the Dane megai?”
    “No. It’s more like you might picture a human settlement. Homes made of stone or wood, built in communities. Most of the time, the communities are made up of several generations of a few families. They’re very tight-knit.”
    Her eyes were steady on his. “Do you miss it?”
    “Sometimes. I miss my family. I haven’t seen them since I left with you for your lessons.”
    She brushed her fingertips over his bicep in a sympathetic gesture. “I’m sorry, Ty. Can we arrange a visit with them?”
    “Maybe…after all of this excitement dies down.”
    “Yeah,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself and returning her focus to the view. “Excitement.”
    Great, Ty , he thought to himself. Way to get her mind off things .
    “You’re doing fine,” she said out loud. “Tell me about the other megais. What are they like?”
    “Well, you know Avana and the Great Divyner are from the Luja megai. It’s where most Divyners live. Only a select few are brought here to the palace, and that’s for roles like the one Avana served. Helping to oversee off-planet lessons for those people who warrant it.”
    “You mean those people whom the Guardians feel need extra protection?”
    “Yes.”
    Her lips pressed together, but she didn’t comment.
    “Most of the Luja megai also borders the Savyaan Sea on the east. It’s a heavily forested megai. In fact, many Luja choose to live among the trees. They try to integrate nature into everything they do. It’s almost opposite of the Rowe megai. Since the Rowe are technologically focused and always looking to make advances for Alametria, they live in protective sterile pods that allow them to experiment without risking the health or safety of those around them. There’s even a force field around the border to prevent unapproved access to the megai.”
    “Wow. That sounds crazy.”
    “If you knew half of what they experimented with, you’d thank Yen-Ki for the force field.”
    Kyr laughed, making Ty’s spirits lift. “I’ll take your word for it. Which megai borders theirs on the other side? Talk about fences making great neighbors.”
    The lighthearted feeling disappeared. “There isn’t a megai on the other side of the Rowe border,” he replied. “That’s where the Dark Lands begin.”
    “Dark Lands? What are those? I don’t remember them.”
    “I’m not sure the Guardians ever discussed them with you. Do you remember Sem mentioning the AI revolution we experienced?”
    “Yes. He said Earth had about a hundred years or so until it experienced what Alametria did. He said that advances in technology aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.”
    “That’s right. A number of generations ago, AI grew so advanced that it started outthinking us. The resulting battle destroyed a large part of the planet. The air in that area is now poisonous. The ground is unfertile. Only rubble remains where there used to be enormous buildings and living spaces. It’s essentially a technology graveyard.”
    Kyr’s eyes widened. “Man, I’m glad I wasn’t alive for that. How awful.”
    “It was the darkest time in our history.”
    “That’s such a shame,” she said, rubbing her upper arms to fight off a shiver. He didn’t know if she was chilled by the wind or the story. “To think that our ignorance left so much of the planet uninhabitable.”
    Ty debated whether to clarify her statement. She seemed discomfited enough already. After a moment, he decided that