Ascension (Blight Book 1)

by Terry Schott

  "What makes you say that?"

  "You buy people. Turn them into slaves. Slave owner is another profession that is very lucrative, but it will never be honourable either."

  Leo chuckled and shook his head. "I disagree with you on this point, old friend. I know slavery as well as the next person. Slaves are people ripped from their homes and countries, taken far away where they are forced to work for no wage and do exactly as they are told upon threat of physical violence, starvation, or death."

  Finley nodded.

  "That is not what I do."

  "You don’t abduct people and rip them from their homelands. Instead, they come to you of their own free will. Like flies to honey, they approach and ask for money. Which you give to them, for a price."

  "That is how the business works. They ask for my money and, if I like the risks, then I agree to give it to them for a time. Many use the money to help themselves. Slaves could never hope to be free or do better. My loans offer that opportunity for people who would otherwise not have a chance to do more."

  "Most do not use the money for good purpose."

  Leo shrugged. "What they do with it is their concern. If they want to spend it on women, alcohol, gamble it away, or do any number of things with it, I don’t care. As long as they pay me back."

  "With interest."

  "Of course." Leo grinned. "Everything has a price."

  Finley took a drink of coffee and looked at a picture hanging on the wall beside them.

  "Listen. I do not make people good or evil. It isn’t my responsibility to save the world. My obligation is the same as every other individual born into this life: to be the best version of myself that I possibly can." Leo leaned back and spread his hands, raising his shoulders and eyebrows. "If I capitalize on what already exists in our world, fear, weakness, greed, and a myriad of other weaknesses, does that make me the problem and cause of these things? Of course not. Using your analogy, people are already slaves. I am simply offering them the opportunity to be slaves who enjoy life somewhat more than they would be able to without my help."

  Finley looked at Leo and shook his head. "I care about you, Leo, and I am grateful for our relationship, but on this our opinions differ. I do not feel the same way as you, and I never will."

  "That is entirely your right." Leo finished his coffee and stood. "All of us are slaves to commerce and our station in life. If you don’t agree, then stop selling your merchandise and see how life goes for you."

  Finley opened his mouth to say something, but Leo reached out and grasped the man by the shoulder. "It was good to see you again. I will come by next week and bring treats for your new granddaughter."

  Finley nodded. "I look forward to your visit."

  ***

  Leo exited the coffeehouse and made his way down the street. After walking a block, he looked to his left and saw Mouse walking alongside.

  "How did it go?" Mouse asked.

  "As you said it would."

  "I’m sorry."

  "That’s okay. I had to try." Leo reached into his coat pocket and withdrew an envelope with Finley’s name written on it in calligraphy. He handed it to Mouse. "Burn this for me. Finley will not be invited to the meeting tonight."

  "Just the five of us, then?"

  Leo chuckled. "Good guess. Yes. Just the five of us."

  "Want to tell me what this meeting is about?"

  "No, Mouse. You’ll have to wait and see. Just like everyone else."

  41

  Leo opened the door and looked into the dark hallway, smiling at the four men who waited outside. "Come in and take a seat, gentlemen."

  Leo walked to the rectangular wooden table and sat down at the head chair. Mouse and Stick sat on his left while Oak and the doctor took the seats on his right. The small room was located underneath one of the buildings owned by Leo. Guttering light flickered from torches placed in black iron holders in the flagstone walls around the room’s perimeter. Four brown leather bags, each closed securely by a piece of gold wire sat on the table in front of each of the four men.

  "I have never been one for ceremony," Leo said, "but tonight must contain a small touch of formality. In order to keep this brief, I ask that you listen quietly and not interrupt with questions."

  He paused and each man nodded. "The bags in front of you are filled with platinum coin and, as of this moment, they belong to you. Congratulations, gentlemen, you are now wealthier than most monarchs. Your children’s children need never work a day in their lives to earn money."

  Leo watched their reactions, smiling as even Mouse raised his eyebrows in surprise. "The primary reason for an average person’s entire existence, from the time they are born until they die, is to earn enough money to meet the demands of life. Now that this is no longer a concern for you I ask the question: what will you do for the remainder of yours?"

  Leo stood and walked to a small table in the corner which held a crystal decanter filled with dark red wine and five glasses. He carried the items back to the table, setting a glass in front of each man and filling them. "I see the world differently than most." He raised his glass. "When I look at this city, kingdom, country, and even the world as a whole, I see room for improvement. I have a vision for a new way, a new world order. I plan to change the world, and I would have you help me do it.

  "My goal is lofty and will require decades, perhaps centuries to bring about. I invite you and your ancestors to join me in this endeavour. If you would join the cause, then drink with me now."

  There was no hesitation, no exchange of glances between the men assembled. As one, they stood, raised their glasses, and drank.

  Leo drained his glass and set it on the table, smiling as he moved to hug each of them before returning to his chair. "Secrecy in our mission is key, perhaps the most difficult, yet important thing to maintain. Only the head of each of our families can ever know the burden that we have agreed to carry this night. Am I clear on this?"

  Everyone nodded.

  "Well then." Leo smiled and leaned back in his chair. "That covers the formal part of this meeting. This group may end up growing as time passes. In my mind, I see thirteen chairs around a table, but our numbers will grow when the time is right. For now, we begin with fiveÉlua, which is a number of good omen."

  "Élua?" The doctor stroked his beard. "That is an ancient word meaning‘chosen’, if I am not mistaken."

  Leo poured more wine. "You’re correct, Doctor. It is a name that suits us well, I think."

  42

  Prince Adam entered the dining room and walked to a small, ornate bar placed against one wall of the room. "Good evening, Father. Can I pour you a drink?"

  King Edward looked up from reading on the couch and smiled at his son, raising an empty crystal glass and shaking it so that the ice cubes made a soft clinking sound. "Another drink sounds perfect."

  The prince smiled, poured two drinks, and then joined his father, setting one glass onto a table before he plopped down into a chair and exhaled slowly. "What a day I’ve had. How about you, Father? Any excitement in your world?"

  The king closed the book and tossed it onto the cushions beside him, then reached for the fresh drink and took a sip. "Nothing terribly exciting for me." He leaned back and rested the drink on the arm of the couch. "Tell me about your day."

  "I spent the morning with Leo and Doc Johnston, discussing their progress with clearing Drannock. It is going remarkably well, by their estimates."

  The king closed his eyes and shook his head.

  "What?"

  "You seem to be spending a lot of time with Leo Wrathson."

  "No more than one would expect."

  "I disagree."

  Prince Adam sipped his drink. "I introduced him before entering into this venture, Father, and you had final agreement before I offered him the deal."

  "You didn’t offer him the deal, son. You accepted his offer, which"—he raised a hand to stop Adam from interrupting—"I did agree with. Drannock has b
een an inhospitable island since my grandfather’s reign. Finding someone willing to clear the trees and use the land for growing a crop which can earn tax revenue is an excellent solution for that otherwise barren land. The deal falls more on Leo and the doctor’s side when it comes to positive outcome, but we prosper in the long term as we still own the land which will be clear and levelled when it reverts back to us. Overall, I am pleased with the arrangement."

  "Good." Prince Adam nodded. "Then I’m not sure why you are displeased that I spend a bit of time with him."

  The king paused, placed one hand on his chest, and smiled. "I am getting old."

  "You are not—"

  "Approaching my seventieth year." He shook his head. "Which is old, especially by royal standards. It is a testament to both my reign and the times that we find ourselves living in that I have not been assassinated by now." He grinned and leaned forward to tap his son’s leg. "You are a good son. If I lived to be a million years old and have a thousand children, I could never hope for better."

  "I can say the same about you as a father. I hope that I am as good to my children as you have been to me."

  "I’m sure you will be." He raised one eyebrow. "My main goal now is to stay alive long enough to see grandchildren born."

  "I will get to work on that soon."

  "Promise?"

  "I do."

  "Good."

  "Now back to the subject at hand," Prince Adam said. "Why do you object to my spending time with Leo?"

  "I am old," the king repeated. "Which means that I have experience with people and personalities. Yes, Leo Wrathson is a pleasant young man. He is extremely intelligent and clever."

  "For a commoner?"

  "For anyone." The king stroked his grey beard. "During my reign, I have always favoured subjects on merit instead of solely on class as other kingdoms are wont to do. The prosperity of this land during my time as king originates from that fact above all others, in my opinion."

  "Then what is it about Leo that bothers you?"

  "Instinct. And recognition."

  "What do you mean?"

  The king drained his glass and placed it on the table. "Leo has the bearing and manner of royalty himself. He claims to be a street rat, but I’ve spent enough time around rulers and leaders to recognize an equal when I meet them."

  "That is interesting." The prince sipped his drink. "Do you think he is a threat to the kingdom?"

  "No, but I do think that—" The king stood and chuckled. "Never mind. When I try to speak the words they sound absurd."

  The prince followed his father to the dinner table and took his seat. "I value your experience and opinions, Father. Tell me true. Do you think Leo is a danger to the welfare of our kingdom?"

  "Likely not."

  "That does not sound very convincing."

  The king picked his napkin from the table and draped it across his lap. "My gut tells me that Leo will prosper, and those around him will do the same. He outgrows the alleys and will soon set his sights on bigger hunting grounds, if he has not already. I believe that, in time, he will outgrow our kingdom and move past that as well. There will come a time when he either challenges you or he leaves. I caution you to remain distant enough that, should the situation arise, you are able to see it and eliminate him."

  "I place the welfare of the kingdom above all else, Father. Never doubt that. I like Leo, but would not hesitate to crush him if he became dangerous."

  "I know that is true, my son, but it is my job to warn you when I see potential difficulty."

  Prince Adam nodded. "What would you have me do, then?"

  "Use him as he will use you. Befriend him and spend time with him if you are so inclined. I bring this up mainly so that I can warn you. Never forget who Leo is or where his ultimate loyalty lies."

  "With himself."

  King Edward nodded. "There is much profit and success that can come from flying beside a dragon as it hunts. But one must always remember that the dragon’s flame eventually burns everything in its path, including his companions."

  "The dragon’s fire burns all but the dragon itself."

  "Just so, my son. Others may call him a lion, but when I look at Leo, I see a dragon."

  43

  Doc Johnston pushed open the door of the coffeehouse and strode in, pushing back the hood of his cloak and brushing dust from his arms.

  "Welcome back, Doc." Syntha stepped away from the bar where she stood with Leo and approached the older man. "You must be hungry." She helped him remove the dirty outer robe. "Can I bring you something to eat?"

  "No thank you, my girl." The doctor rubbed his beard and adjusted the small pack hanging from a leather strap around his shoulder.

  "I made a fresh batch of dumpling stew."

  The doc patted his belly and laughed. "You know I can’t resist a bowl of your specialty. Let’s grab a seat. My legs and feet are exhausted."

  "You’ve been travelling on the ocean for days now." Leo walked past them and headed toward the rear booth. "Did you get hit by that storm last night?"

  "Yes." The doctor lifted the pack from his shoulders before sitting. "Syntha, can you be a dear and brew this up for us, please. You remember how, right?"

  "Of course." She took the package and kissed the old man on the cheek. "This is exciting."

  "I hope it doesn’t end up tasting bitter." The doctor leaned back, sighing as he closed his eyes.

  Leo frowned. "Is that a possibility?"

  The doctor grinned and looked at his younger friend. "No. The man Ricin sent to us is one of the best xai growers in their land. We are making history, lad. Your beautiful girl is brewing the very first xai which has been planted, grown, harvested, and cured outside of Kandar in over two thousand years."

  A few minutes later, Syntha appeared and set a pot and three cups on the table before sitting beside Leo.

  "Thank you, my dear." The doctor reached for the pot and poured the reddish gold liquid into the mugs. They each selected a cup and tried the drink.

  "It’s incredible." Syntha smiled.

  "I agree." Leo nodded. "It’s perfect. You are about to become a very wealthy man, Doc."

  The doctor laughed. "A young friend of mine took care of that some time ago, but you are right. This is going to change the world that we live in. People will taste xai and quickly make it their drink of choice."

  "And we are the only ones who can deliver the product." Leo put his arm around Syntha and winked at her.

  "Until someone steals a few beans." Syntha brought the cup close to her nose and sniffed. "And does to you what you did to Kandar."

  The doctor shook his head. "That will be very difficult. Only a handful of people know where we are growing it, and all of them profit from keeping the details secret."

  "What about the workers?"

  "They live on the island year-round. Any who leave are searched thoroughly so that we are certain that no one has seeds on them."

  "A detection spell?" Syntha sipped the xai and closed her eyes.

  "Yes."

  "I can assure you that demand will outpace supply."

  "A good problem to have." Leo pushed his cup away. "I suggest introducing the drink through our coffeehouses. What do you think, love?"

  Syntha reached for the pot and refilled her cup. "I think that our establishments will be the first xai houses in the country and businessmen will come from all over to buy our product for their own shops."

  The doctor chuckled. "Build ships faster, Leo. Very soon we will have enough money to outfit and send explorers to all corners of the world."

  "Just so, Doc. One venture will fund the next, and each will generate tremendous profit."

  44

  Leo and Christoph sat quietly while the doctor stood over the large kitchen table and examined the drawings spread over its surface.

  "Interesting," the doctor muttered before pushing one sheet aside to better see one below it. "Are these drawings to scale?"

&
nbsp; "Yes."

  "Fascinating." The doctor selected another page and studied it, his lips moving as his eyes darted between measurements.

  Leo looked at Christoph and smiled. "I told you he would like them."

  "Like them?" The Doctor shook his head as he sat in the chair closest to him. "I love them. I have never seen build plans for a ship such as these."

  "That is because no such ship has been built," Christoph said. "Yet."

  "You’re confident that it will be able to do as you claim?"

  "Sail against the wind, yes."

  The doctor laughed and rapped a knuckle against the table. "You say that as if saying how many lumps of sugar you take in your coffee. The ability to sail into the wind will make these ships more manoeuvrable than any other vessel on the water. The possibilities for new exploration, agility in water battle, and so many other areas are overwhelming."

  Christoph smiled. "Just so, Doctor."

  "Leo tells me that you are the son of a freight captain."

  "Yes, sir. I have spent my life working on my father’s vessels."

  The doctor pointed at the pages on the table. "What does he think of these?"

  "I wouldn’t know."

  The doctor tilted his head and peered at Christoph over the rim of his glasses. "You haven’t shown him?"

  "He’s seen other designs before. All he ever does is crumple them up and yell at me to get back to work."

  "Ridiculous."

  Christoph shrugged and looked at his feet. "I am his fifth-born son."

  "Ah." The doctor shook his head. "I am sorry to hear that, lad. If you had been born first or second, you would inherit and your opinion would hold more sway with your father, most like."

  "About that." Leo stood and went to the other side of the table, standing across from Christoph. "I think the time has come to make you an offer."

  "An offer?"

  "Yes. An alternative to living out your days working for your father and then brothers."

  "I’m listening."

  Leo laughed. "Of that, I am certain. I would like to offer you a position in my organization."