Rogue Legacy by Jeffrey L. Kohanek (snow like ashes .txt) 📕

A woman passed by, carrying a loaf of bread and a wrapped cut of meat. Lyra watched the woman until she turned at the next corner and disappeared. The street fell quiet, as if most of the people were still sleeping despite it being mid-afternoon. An old woman walked past, Lyra’s eyes following her as she passed a young man heading in the opposite direction. The young man’s eyes met Lyra’s and a smile formed on his face. He altered his direction slightly and approached her, his gaze focused on her body rather than her face.

“My, my. What’s a fine young lass doing all alone on a street corner in Sol Polis?”

He stood a full head taller than she did and had a thick frame. While he was not unattractive, his gaze set Lyra on edge.

“I’m minding my own business,” she waved him off. “You should move along and do the same.”

He put a hand on her shoulder and forced her back a step, the lute strapped to her back colliding with the brick wall.

“Since I like what I see, I think I’ll make you my business.” His gaze flicked down toward her chest. “I have a few coppers to spare and can make it worth your while.”

“Coppers?” She arched her brow, but kept a straight face as she considered how to access the knife hidden beneath her skirts. I miss my breeches.

His gaze ran down the length of her dress again and he shrugged. “Fine. I’ll pay a silver. But it better be good.”

“I’ll do one better.”

Lyra and the young man turned toward the voice to find Cal standing beside them.

“I’ll pay with this stone.” Cal held out his palm, revealing a small stone with a symbol drawn on it. Red sparks flickered within Cal’s eyes, dimming as the symbol on the stone flared with crimson light.

“What?” the tall stranger said as the glow receded. “How…”

The stone tumbled from Cal’s outstretched hand and landed on the other man’s foot. The stranger’s eyes grew wide, his mouth doing the same although no sound came out. The man gasped as he tried to catch his breath. His body shook and a look of horror emerged when he looked down at his foot.

Lyra’s gaze followed his, and she discovered that the stone had flattened the man’s boot, creating a concave indentation where the rock lay. The man struggled to move, but his foot remained in place as if it were nailed to the ground.

“I’m sorry.” Cal patted the man on the shoulder. “Clumsy me. I’m all butterfingers sometimes.”

Cal gently gripped Lyra’s elbow. “Come along, Tali. We’ve an appointment to keep at the Citadel.”

Looking back at the man, Lyra found tears streaking down his cheeks as he tried to work his foot free.

Cal stopped a few strides away and turned back toward the man. “Kind sir, if you don’t mind me saying, you appear to be in a bit of pain. I suggest you visit the nearest temple to request a healer.”

He then turned and headed toward the heart of the city.

Lyra caught up to Cal, glancing at him as they walked side-by-side. “Why’d you do that?”

“You appeared uncomfortable with the way he had you cornered. I’m familiar with men like that, men who have little respect for the rights of women.” He shrugged. “I wanted to help.”

Lyra was about to state that she could take care of herself when Cal interrupted.

“I have no time for men who treat women like they are objects.”

Lyra’s response never left her lips. Considering his words, she again found herself surprised.

After a moment, she asked, “What did you do to him anyway?”

Cal grinned. “A small bit of magic. It should wear off in about an hour, and he’ll be free to go on his way, but the man’s foot will be a mess until he gets it healed.”

“You mentioned a healer. Is that like a Medicus?”

“Remember when you fell into my pit and I healed you?”

Lyra nodded, recalling the embarrassing and painful moment with clarity.

“There are others within the Ministry who perform that type of magic. He’ll likely find such a man at the nearest temple. Even after he’s healed, I hope he has learned a lesson.”

They reached the corner and the narrow street opened to reveal the Citadel. Cal led them to the gate and addressed the guard stationed there.

“I must meet with the Council about an urgent matter.”

The guard nodded and stepped aside to allow Cal and Lyra to enter. They crossed the empty plaza as Cal led them up the stairs and inside.

Without pausing, Cal led Lyra directly toward the same room they had visited last time, not seeing another soul other than the single guard who stood outside the door. The armored man stepped in their path, and Cal gave the man an even glare. The guard’s eyes shifted down and away, unwilling to meet Cal’s gaze as he stepped aside. With a grunt, Cal walked past and thrust the door open. Lyra found herself grinning as she followed him inside.

Unlike last time, there was nobody in the room other than the men seated on the thirteen thrones. The man who was speaking stopped abruptly and turned toward Cal. The other twelve men did the same.

“What is the meaning of this interruption?” one of the men demanded.

Before Cal could respond, the man named Victor spoke. “You better have something meaningful to report.”

Cal nodded to Victor as he stopped before the dais. “Yes. I believe you will find my latest discovery quite meaningful.”

The Archon leaned forward and tented his fingers before his lips. Without a word, he nodded toward Cal.

“When I last stood before the council, it was with a dog by my side. That dog was the first of ten test subjects, each receiving a permanent augmentation of increased size.”

Cal turned toward Lyra, his intense eyes meeting hers. She gave him a slight nod, which he returned before turning toward the dais.

“For days, the test subjects exhibited no side effects. However, after two weeks passed, the first dogs began to change. Their coats began to grow darker, their hair soon becoming black. Within days, the others began to exhibit similar transformations.”

“Their hair turned black?” Victor blurted, leaning forward in his chair. “Why are you bothering us with such a