Legon Ascension (40 page)

Umbra ascended, getting ready to leave. Many Ascended preferred being in this form rather than Elvin, but she didn’t have a preference. There were times when each was nice. She looked down at Rachel and Ankle as they were getting ready. Unlike last time, they would be able to ride on her shoulders, which would be far more comfortable. Still, Rachel didn’t have any padding. She’d be sitting right on bone.
 

Ankle touched Umbra’s mind. “I have a pad here, do you mind?”
 

“Good thinking, I will stick it to me and her to it,” Umbra said.

Soon her two passengers were secured to her and she was ready to leave. Umbra looked back at the wide-eyed Rachel and sent soothing emotions at her. She seemed to calm. Normally after one’s mind had been touched, it was difficult to influence their thoughts unless they were open to it. Surprisingly, Rachel was. Umbra figured all the girl had seen was fear for who knows how long, and she probably relished the feelings of peace and happiness Umbra sent her.
 

Umbra turned to the sea and launched herself into the air. The cold didn’t affect a dragon, but the warm moist air felt good on her wings nonetheless. She rose up in the sky, making her way to the dome. Now that Rachel was comfortable with her, she almost seemed to enjoy it. Being in Rachel’s mind, Umbra could feel just how foreign happiness was for this girl. She didn’t seem to feel comfortable smiling, as if it was something entirely new. This tore at Umbra. Seeing someone in the state Rachel was in, she couldn’t help but feel compassion for her. Ankle had her tucked in close to him. There was one who hated flying, but if that was the price to protect Rachel, it looked like one he would pay. Umbra could understand Ankle. His attachment to Rachel was stronger than what Umbra felt, but she knew that like Ankle, she too would do anything to keep this girl from suffering again.
 

The morning fog was still burning off of the sea, but as they grew closer to the coast they started to see ships. Most of them looked to be military, sailing in formation.
 

“Looks like your navy is getting ready for the war,” Umbra said.

Ankle’s tone was grim. “We figured it would happen in the next few months. Manton has been getting ready for some time now. These ships have been here for a while, doing maneuvers and such,” he explained.

“War? What war?” Rachel asked.

Umbra decided to answer her. “Yes, between the free human lands and the Cona Empire, and of course the Pawdin or Elvin Empire and the Impa or Iumenta. It has been coming for some time now Rachel, but do not worry, you will be safe.”
 

They were over the Cornis Mountains now. Umbra was taking a direct line to the dome, so they would not be passing over Manton, but they did see the many camps of soldiers as they passed overhead.
 

They were almost to the jump site and Umbra disconnected with Rachel and Ankle, feeling out for the crystal. Power welled up in her as she prepared to make the jump. She connected with the crystal and checked to make sure she was clear. Power extended out to her talons and wing tips, and she closed her eyes.
5… 4…
letting herself slip into the jump
3…
confirming Rachel and Ankle were secure
2…
folding her wings
1…
opening her eyes to the spot of light…
JUMP…
the rush of energy and then nothingness for a heartbeat. Umbra unfolded her wings and breathed in the sweet air of Seeon.
 

* * * * *

Legon waited at the east entrance of the palace for Umbra to land. With him were Sasha, Laura, Iselin, Sydin, Opes and a host of medical staff, along with the normal guard. Umbra’s dark form glided to them, touching down lightly. Ankle, and who Legon presumed to be Rachel, dismounted. Rachel was thinner than Legon thought possible, and from what he’d been told, she’d gained weight on their trip.
 

Legon gave the medical staff the go-ahead to take care of Rachel. Four Elves walked over, flanking her in case she fell. Rachel was still too far away for non humans to see just how poor of shape she was in. When they got close, Legon heard Sasha and Laura gasp.

“What happened to her?” Laura asked, her voice low and disbelieving.

“Mors happened,” Legon said in a low voice, and then to Ankle and Rachel, “Ankle, thank you for coming.” He walked up to Rachel, who was looking down and uncomfortable. Legon lifted her face, looking into her eyes. “Rachel, my name is Legon. I am the head of this house. I know that you have been through a lot. Would you like me to make you feel a bit better?” he asked. She nodded, unsure. “Thank you, please relax your mind.”
 

Power welled up in him as he delved into Rachel’s mind. He felt more pain and misery then he had ever thought possible, but there it was. He didn’t look for specific memories, her pain was too vast, but he was able to give her a reprieve. The suffering and fear was like poison. It took all of his will to try and manage it. It was a testament to his magical minor that he didn’t lose his mind. Still, he wasn’t scratching the surface. Umbra’s thoughts joined Legon’s, lending him strength, and then there were Iselin, and Sasha, Opes and Sydin. Umbra introduced Ankle’s mind. Soon Legon had a sea of support and he held Rachel’s torment at bay, allowing her to fill with the compassion from those in the network. Too soon, Legon had to pull away.
 

Drained, he opened his eyes and looked down at Rachel’s calm expression. He placed his hands on her small frame and leaned in to her ear. “I know you’re hurting again, but remember, there is hope.” She nodded slightly.

Legon moved back. “Thank you all. Rachel, you have had a long day. Please allow us to show you to your quarters. Ankle, Umbra, please forgive me, but we would like to debrief you immediately.”
 

* * * * *

Sasha walked next to Legon as they made their way to the war room. She was having a hard time believing what she had just seen. Even her guard seemed shaken. Entering the war room, she tried to push Rachel from her mind. Ankle and Umbra entered the room behind them, Umbra in her Elvin form. The table in the center of the room lit up.

“Umbra, why don’t you begin,” Opes said.

Umbra explained her entrance into the Cona Empire and her drop of Barnin’s unit. “The day I retrieved the team I was doing some basic reconnaissance work. I was trying to figure out Impa routes into the Cona lands, bridges, towns and other key areas.”

“Did you find anything of value?” Sydin asked.

She shook her head. “I’m not sure sir. There were towns and the like but from what I could tell, many of them were empty.”
 

“Empty?” Iselin asked.

“Yes, Un Prose, empty. The towns were ghost towns. I think I may have found seven or eight. I was going to make another pass and see if I could figure out why they were abandoned, but I was called away by Heath.

“I made my way to where Barnin and his men were. When I was close, I became aware of another Ascended. They were not doing much to hide themselves, and based on my encounter I would say they are young. “

“This was the class eight?” Opes verified.

“Yes, he was a class eight. There is no denying it.”
 

The room was quiet for some time. The news that there was an eight was not good. Thanks to the efforts of the last few years, the Elves should have a significantly higher number of dragons than the Iumenta, but this was still a problem. One eight could take down several sevens, and…

“How do we know there aren’t more?” Legon asked.

Sydin frowned. “We don’t. From what we’ve seen, we still have more Ascended.” He didn’t sound overly confident.

Legon pinched the bridge of his nose. “I guess it’s a moot point anyway. Ankle?”
 

Ankle launched into a detailed account of what they had seen. The crystal in the war room could project someone’s memories on the display, and they watched Ankle’s, Barnin’s and Heath’s memories. “As you can see, the people in the breeding program are kept separate from the others, almost like livestock. We don’t know where Rachel fits into this. We didn’t talk about that on the way back.
 

“You can also see here that they are training children from birth. Once again, we didn’t get much in the way of detailed information. Sorry, sir.”
 

Sasha was disgusted and didn’t care to be part of the conversation anymore. Her mind reached out to her mother. “Is Rachel settled in?” she asked.

“Yes, she is, but I dare say she’d rather be with you guys,” her mother said, flustered.

Sasha was confused. “Why is that? Is everything ok?”
 

“She is insisting that she is well enough to talk. Honestly, I think she feels guilty that she is now safe and all of those other people are not.”
 

Sasha considered this. “Is she well enough?”
 

“Yes, I suppose so.”
 

Sasha turned her attention back to the room. Everyone was talking theories about what all Mors could hold, when she interrupted. “My mother says that Rachel is insistent that she speaks with us. She is well enough. I think we should let her talk.”
 

Legon nodded his head. “Very well. If she’s able and willing, let’s have her.”
 

“Mother, please bring Rachel to the war room.”
 

* * * * *

Legon waited patiently for Rachel to arrive. When she entered the room, she didn’t seem to need support. The tall wooden door shut behind her. Nervous eyes curtained in thin hair swept the room. Her outline against the dark wood of the door made Legon pause. She looked like a corpse come to life from a nightmare. What hair she had was only in patches on her head. Her skin was almost translucent and pale against the door.
 

“Rachel, thank you for doing this. Would you like to take a seat?”
 

“Yes, thank you. Un Prosa, correct?” she verified.

Legon smiled warmly. “Legon is fine” he said, bringing two chairs to the center of the room. She sat across from him, the rest of the room standing out of the way so as not to intimidate her. “Rachel, we have many questions for you about Mors, but please do not feel like you have to answer them all today. If you feel ill or tired…”
 

An odd look crossed Rachel’s face. It was one of mingled pain and anger. “Thank you, but I have felt sick long enough. I would like to tell you my story, and then from there you could maybe ask me questions?”
 

“Very well. Would you like some water or Poti?” he offered.

“Thank you, whatever you are having, and please forgive my tone. I assure you my anger is not directed toward you. I suppose you know how grateful I am…”
 

Legon poured her a glass of Poti. “We only took your pain, and there is no need for apology. That being said, knowing your pain I have a fairly good idea how grateful you are. Now, please tell us your story.”
 

Rachel took a breath and launched in “I was sixteen. I lived in a town up north. It was spring, and we started hearing things… started hearing of people going missing… not into the care though. There seemed to be more of those, but just random people. Anyway, we started to see Iumenta at dusk on the outskirts of town. It was… unnerving, to say the least. That’s when people started to disappear from our town. We were all frightened.
 

“One night, they came,” she shivered. “Humans, in black. They killed most of the town, drug off the bodies. Those of us that survived were in the center of town. Some Iumenta came, and asked around. There were only ten of us, so it didn’t take long. I told them that my mother was a wet nurse, and that I had helped her out. It was that skill that saved my life…

“We were taken to Mors, and held in a large stone room. We were chained to the wall. An Iumenta came and used magic to put a mark on the back of my neck. They did the same with my friend Pamela… the people from our town were there as a treat for the men who performed the best taking our town… Pamela and I were not to be touched, but we were to watch, to see what awaited us.
 

“There were five of them. They first unlocked one of the men from the town… they had whips and sharp tools. I’ve never seen so much blood in my life, never heard someone scream like he did. It took him over an hour to die…

“They took one of the women next. They ravaged her and then killed her in much of the same way.” She shuddered and looked up, glassy-eyed. “They made us watch everyone die. They made us watch. They broke us without laying a hand on us.” She took a drink. “That was the beginning. Pamela was a breeder. I was to help with the pregnant women and in the nurseries. This gave me the benefit of not always having to be in the breeding area, but that also meant I learned more about the camp.
 

“Breeders are fed and sheltered. I was given some food too, but we stayed in the cages. It was a long road of work and starvation that would be my death. Anyway, how the camp works is straightforward actually. If you are in the care and you are female, you are a breeder. If you are a male, you fight to the death. Whoever lives is then made a breeder. They only want the strong. The men will impregnate ten or so women, and then they are used to teach the children how to kill.
 

“Not all of the breeding is done with those in the care, most of the girls there breed with those that were born in the camp. In fact, many of the women breeders were born in Mors. The lifetime of hardship seems to make them more resilient.
 

“Other than that, you Ankle saw what happens. They are trained from the time they can walk. If a baby is not perfect it is destroyed. If a mother miscarries too often, she will be killed. There are more specifics, but I think I am at my limit for today,” she finished.

* * * * *

Umbra looked around the room, taking in faces. Rachel was looking tired again, Iselin green, Sydin was shaking his head muttering. Opes was enraged, a vein in his temple pulsing. Sasha looked the model of compassion as she stared at Rachel. Her brother Legon was different. Umbra saw the hate in his eyes. She saw the fury of the Everser Vald kindled against the Iumenta.