The Assassins of Altis by Jack Campbell Read Free Book Online Page A

we can rest. We’ll also have the Emperor’s favor for offing those who tried to leave Marandur.”
    One of the legionaries grumbled loudly enough for Alain, and the centurion, to hear. “Whoever it was flew away, and they didn’t do it on any Mage Roc.”
    “You got something to say, Juren?” the centurion demanded.
    “All I’m saying,” the Imperial soldier complained, “is that whatever got out of Marandur left footprints like a person’s, but then those footprints disappeared. It’s like they flew away. And there’s only one…person…what could have done that.”
    Another legionary nodded. “There’s been funny stuff heard in the city lately, like something was stirring. It’s been her city for a long time. Maybe she decided to leave.”
    The centurion walked over to the nearest offending legionary and shoved him backwards with a stiff-armed blow. “You think the officers would be happy to hear you saying that, Juren? What about you, Hsien? You want to go tell some of them what you just said to me?”
    “No, Centurion,” the legionaries mumbled.
    “Get it out of your heads. All of you. Anyone mentions her again, they get five lashes. If I hear her name, it’ll be ten lashes. Got that?” The legionaries called out hasty acknowledgments. “Now move on. Check the rest of these woods.”
    Alain risked taking a deep breath as the soldiers moved onward, but neither he nor Mari moved until the legionaries had vanished from sight in the direction of the woodcutters. Though they were only partially concealed by the stump at their backs from any legionary of who might come back this way, Alain took the risk of dropping his spell. But it was too late. He had already sensed a response from that far-off other Mage.
    The sound of axes halted. They could hear the voice of the centurion, barely audible as he interrogated the woodcutters.
    “Was he talking about me?” Mari breathed into Alain’s ear. “The daughter? Why would they think I can fly?”
    “I do not know.” Alain was also puzzled. “They were afraid of this ‘her’ the legionary spoke of. I have not seen that reaction among commons speaking of the daughter of Jules. But I do not know who this other woman could be that they fear.”
    “That one soldier said they shouldn’t say her name,” Mari noted. “Why wouldn’t they say my name if they knew it? Has the Emperor banned any mention of the daughter of Jules?”
    Alain made a small, uncertain gesture. “I do not think the Imperials regard the daughter legend as something to be suppressed. But they also said Marandur has been this woman’s city for a long time. How could that be you? How could that be the daughter?”
    “And why would legionaries be afraid of me?” Mari wondered.
    “Perhaps they have heard of what happens to dragons foolish enough to attack you,” Alain replied.
    “Oh, gosh, you are so funny, Mage. Can you tell how amused I am?”
    Alain tried not to wince as her grip on him tightened. “Since we are speaking of things to be concerned about, I should tell you that the presence of the other Mage vanished very quickly a few moments ago. He must have sensed the spell I used and is now working harder to conceal himself.”
    “Let’s hope those legionaries get out of here fast.”
    Alain remained prepared to hide them from sight for a little longer, then as the legionaries showed no sign of backtracking he focused on hiding his presence from the other Mage again.
    Mari looked up at the sky, where the clouds were beginning to show signs of parting. “It’s well past noon, and it sounds like these legionaries are chasing off the woodcutters. Maybe we’ll be able to leave once the legionaries have moved off, too.”
    “The sooner the better,” Alain agreed.
    Worried about the other Mage, he and Mari moved to the far side of the woods as soon as it seemed safe. The edge of the woods gave way to a long shallow slope of rolling, snow-covered grassland running all the