Rogue Legacy by Jeffrey L. Kohanek (snow like ashes .txt) đź“•
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Cal frowned and stared at Victor. The man appeared to wilt under Cal’s glare, recoiling into his throne, his eyes flicking about the room, seeking a place to hide. The archon saved him.
“Please continue.”
Cal gave a brief nod and resumed. “Unfortunately, the dogs’ hair turning black was not the only side effect. Two days ago, we found the first two dogs hiding inside our shed, unwilling to venture into the sunlight. Their eyes had changed…”
As Cal recited his tale, the image of Gilo’s glowing red eyes appeared within Lyra’s mind, triggering memories of the previous evening.
A thump had startled Lyra, waking her. She sat up and stared at the covered window, hearing a clicking and scraping sound coming from it. Quietly sliding out of bed, she gripped the corner of her drapes and pulled them aside. Snarls and angry barking made her scream and jump backward. She scrambled over her bed and stared at the window, at glowing red eyes glaring at her. A paw thumped against the glass and Lyra drew in a gasp. Leaning forward with her arm extended, she grabbed the sheath hanging from her bedpost and drew her dagger. The paw thumped against the window again, and the glass shattered, scattering shards across the room.
The beastly dog snarled and barked again, its booming voice making Lyra jump with a start. The door beside her burst open and a bright white light filled the room. The beast at her window squinted and yelped as it backed away. Cal nodded to Lyra as he held the light above his head.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded, still holding her knife toward the window, her heart racing.
Cal then climbed over her bed and held the light through the window. Beyond him, the giant black dogs milled about the yard, seeking a refuge from the light. Moments later, they were gone, and Cal turned toward Lyra with a worried frown.
“This has gone too far. I must destroy them before someone gets hurt or killed.”
“Why did they run? How did you know?”
“Since Gilo and Striah’s eyes changed, they’ve been hiding in the shed. Today, the others began to do the same. I believe the sunlight hurts them.” Cal held the bright light toward Lyra. “This is the closest thing to sunlight I have.”
Unable to look directly at the bright light, Lyra’s gaze shifted toward the floor, and she noticed bloody footprints among the glass.
“Your feet, Cal.”
He looked down and nodded. “Right. I should get them cleaned up.”
She followed him and his crimson footprints to the bathing room. After helping him remove the glass and wash the cuts, she cut strips of cloth to use as bandages.
As she began to apply the first bandage, she paused. “Why don’t you heal yourself? You know. Like you healed me when I fell into the pit.”
Cal shook his head. “It doesn’t work like that. I can heal others, but I can’t heal myself. We have to go to the city tomorrow and inform the Council about what happened here. While I’m there, I’ll stop by the temple and visit a healer. It’ll be a painful trip until then.”
Lyra nodded as she finished bandaging his foot. She moved on to the other foot and he spoke again.
“I needed to head to the city anyway. I need to visit the smith, the carpenter, and the gilder to check on their progress. I fear we have little time left before it happens.”
Lyra shook her head, clearing it to focus on the present, on the story Cal was reciting.
“…and when we woke the next morning, the gate was destroyed and the dogs were missing. All of them. I would track them down and destroy them if I knew how. As it stands, I fear that I’ve unleashed a pack of monsters that will threaten the safety of innocent people. I just pray to Issal that nobody dies because of me.”
The Council members stared at him in silent response.
“Given the dire nature of my message, I implore you to refrain from conducting permanent augmentations on living beings.” Cal held his hands out, palms facing up. “These friendly dogs changed as a result of the energy trapped within them. It appears that the augmentation made them hostile – drove them insane. We must proceed with caution to determine if there is a safer means.”
After another silent moment, the Archon replied. “We will take your words under advisement. However, this requires further discussion. We must weigh the potential value of permanent augmentations against the risk you have outlined.”
Cal held the door open for Lyra, glancing back one last time before slamming it shut. The guard stationed beside the door jumped at the sound, his eyes wide. Cal ignored the man and grabbed Lyra’s arm as he led her across the hall.
“Arrogant idiots,” he grumbled.
“They aren’t going to listen to your warning, are they?”
He shook his head, clearly appearing unhappy. “They’re hiding something. This has to do with my vision. I know it.”
Opening the door, he led her outside and across the quiet courtyard.
“Where is everybody?”
Cal stopped and looked at her. “What did you say?”
“Where are all the people? Last time we were here, this place was busy. I’m not just talking about the Citadel. The streets are quiet too.”
She stared into his eyes as he stared into space.
After a moment, he slowly nodded. “You’re right. People missing is part of whatever it is.”
He led her across the courtyard, around the main building and toward one of the completed towers. Lyra glanced up at the cylindrical building as Cal approached the door, the sensation leaving her a bit dizzy.
“What are we doing here?”
“We’re paying someone a visit.” He paused before the door. “Remember our earlier discussion about you playing?”
Lyra put her hand on the strap of her lute and nodded.
“Good.” He smiled. “I’m looking forward to hearing your magical voice again.”
His knock on the door echoed within the tower, the large building sounding hollow. After a moment, Lyra heard shuffling within, and the door opened to reveal a familiar face wearing a grimace.
“Hello, Elias,” Cal said in a pleasant voice. “I’m here to share something new with you. May we come in?”
Elias stared at Cal in consideration. Lyra could almost hear the man’s mind working as he weighed the request. Finally, he nodded and stepped aside with the door held open. Cal stepped past him with Lyra following close behind.
The interior revealed a singular room with a rounded stairwell hugging one wall. Desks, tables, and chairs occupied a space that was otherwise empty. Elias closed the door and crossed the room before leading them up the stairs.
Upon reaching the next level, Lyra found a similar stairwell rising to floors above. Rather than continue upward, Elias turned into what appeared to be a large kitchen. Sections of shelving filled with food lined the walls at each side of the room, split by an arched fireplace and a brick oven. Two long tables waited at the center of the room, each table lined with benches big enough to seat six people.
Elias crossed the room to the stove, donned leather gloves, and removed a hot kettle. He turned toward Cal and Lyra.
“Would you care for some tea?”
“Yes. Thank you,” Cal replied.
“Um. None for me,” Lyra mumbled.
Elias shrugged and poured some of the hot brew into two small cups with handles. He replaced the kettle, removed the gloves, and brought the cups to one of the tables.
“Please. Have a seat.” Elias nodded, setting down the steaming cups before settling on a bench.
Cal sat opposite from Elias while Lyra remained standing at the far end of the long table.
“I just informed the Council of dire news.”
“Oh?” Elias asked, sipping his tea.
“My dogs have exhibited side effects from
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