“It is a group called ICON. We are no longer training to become soldiers. They promise to make us something more. They plan to make us…wardens.”
Epilogue
The guard wrenched Iko’s arm, pulling it backward as the shackle clicked together. A tug on his other arm elicited a grunt as it, too, was placed in shackle behind his back.
“Come along now. Don’t give us any further trouble,” the guard grumbled.
Iko glanced at Percy as his friend rolled his eyes. A push from behind sent Percy stumbling forward and Iko braced himself for the same treatment.
With a guard in the lead and two prodding them from behind, the boys crossed the spacious courtyard. The blackened remnants of a hedge maze stood in the heart of the space, beside a charred fountain surrounded by a sprawling plaza. Iko heard the gurgle of flowing water as he passed the fountain, the sound reminding him of his thirst.
The guard leading them – a middle-aged man dressed in mail covered by a white tabard marked by the blue symbol of Order – carried an arrogance in every word, in every movement, in every strutting stride. Iko longed to test the man, longed to knock him down a peg.
They approached buildings at the core of the complex, including three tall towers – two marred with black scorch marks while the third shone with the pale stones that marked it of new construction. Built of the same stone as the tower and the rest of the Citadel, they approached a massive alabaster building at the center of the complex.
A series of tall arches stood in front of the building, supported by pale columns that lined the top of the stairs they climbed. Once beyond the arches, they passed through an external hall and a wall of oversized doors. The four guards stationed outside gave the escort leader a nod as he opened a door and led his captives inside.
The interior hall was bustling with activity, a conflagration of disorganized organization. As people moved this way and that, the guard led Iko around the interior fountain, through the traffic, and up a flight of stairs at the far end of the space. When they reached the fifth floor, the man approached the two guards blocking the second door and addressed them. As he spoke, Iko glanced toward the window to his other side and saw the massive hole in the Citadel wall – a section twenty strides across. A crew of mason workers were in the process of rebuilding the wall, the new stones appearing two shades lighter than the old ones. Opening the door between the guards, the man led them inside.
The room was spacious with a balcony on one end, a fireplace and bookshelves along one wall, and a desk at the center. A man looked up from the desk, rising as the guard led them into the room.
“General Kardan,” The guard saluted the man.
“Why are you here, Sergeant Mollis?” General Kardan stood and circled the desk. Tall and muscular in a lean way, the man appeared quite capable despite his age.
“I caught these two trying to sneak into the Citadel,” the sergeant replied.
Iko sighed. “I told you we weren’t trying to sneak in. We simply walked through that massive hole in the wall.”
The man turned toward Iko, sneering. “You were armed, trying to enter unchallenged and without a writ.”
Percy muttered, “Here we go again.”
Iko pressed his lips together, restraining his frustration. “Will you just tell the General what we told you? Or, is it too much for you to handle?”
Mollis’ eyes bulged as if they were about to burst. After a moment, his reddened face relaxed and he turned toward Kardan.
“They recited an odd passcode, Sir.” Mollis turned toward Iko, frowning hard before continuing. “Mankind is lost without Issal’s hand to guide them.”
General Kardan stepped forward and stared Iko in the eye. “I see.” A long moment of tension held everyone motionless…until he spoke. “Unchain them. You may also return their weapons.”
Mollis looked at Iko with a furrowed brow. “Are you sure? They appear unseemly.”
Iko sighed again. “How would you appear if you spent three weeks traveling, without money for a decent place to sleep?”
Mollis stared at Iko, his frown deepening as he took his keys out. Iko turned his back toward the man and waited as his shackles were removed. With his wrists freed, he accepted his bow, quiver, and hunting knife from one of the other guards. The moment Percy was freed and his weapons were returned, General Kardan addressed the sergeant.
“You many leave us Sergeant.”
Mollis gave Kardan a salute and exited the room, closing the door behind him.
Iko shook his head. “How do you deal with that man? He is insufferable.”
“He is an asset. As with anyone who possesses skills, I will use those skills the best I can. In this case, he is good at managing his men and keeping them in line. There is little else required of him, so I can look past his deficiencies.” Kardan moved closer. “It’s good to see you again, Ikonis.”
The man’s arms wrapped about Iko in a powerful hug that compressed his lungs and forced air from him. When he let go, he turned to Percy.
“Percilus. It’s been…what? Four years?” Kardan hugged Percy, driving a breath from the boy.
When Kardan released him, Percy replied, “Five, actually.”
“That long?” Kardan turned and strolled toward his desk. “Your time with Martin was well spent, I assume?”
Percy nodded. “Yes, Sir. I dare say that I learned everything he had to offer before I left.”
“Good.” Kardan turned his attention on Iko. “And the time with your uncle?”
“He taught me well, Kardan. None in their military academy can stand up to me in the arena.” Iko glanced toward his companion. “Percy has proven to be the best archer and among the best hunters at the school as well.”
Kardan sat at his desk. “Very good. I assume you are not here just to exchange pleasantries.”
Iko moved closer to the desk. “Actually, I am here to give a full debriefing. But first, I need to know if she’s here.”
“You can see her now if you wish.”
After a glance toward Percy, Iko nodded. “Let’s do that.”
Kardan rose from his desk and approached the door at the side of the room. After a knock, he waited.
“Yes?” A female voice rang from beyond the door.
“I have someone who needs to speak with you, Archon.”
“Send them in.”
Kardan opened the door and stood aside to allow the boys past him.
While Kardan’s office was spacious, this room was immense. The suite was broken up into sections including a sitting area with a fireplace, a bath with a copper tub and an oval mirror, and a four-poster bed at the far end. The nearest section, the one Iko and Percy stood in, contained a desk and shelves filled with books. Sitting at the desk was a middle-aged woman with black hair pulled back into a bun. She was dressed in white clothing and had a gold cloak over her shoulders, the metallic nature of the cloak reflecting sunlight that poured through the open balcony doors behind her. The woman paused writing and looked up, her eyes locking with Iko’s – eyes that matched his own.
“Hello, Mother.”
The woman stood and gave him a warm smile. She circled her desk and took his hand. “Ikonis. You have grown so much.” Her eyes examined him from head to toe. “I bet you are a fine warrior.”
“Yes, Mother. The best at the academy.”
She smiled. “Wonderful.” She turned toward Percy. “Percilus. You look well.”
Percy bowed his head. “Thank you, Archon Varius.”
When Varius’ eyes fell on Iko again, he said the words he dreaded sharing. “I have failed, Mother. Percy and I were discovered. We had no choice but to flee the academy.”
She frowned. “And when did this occur?”
Iko sighed. “Three weeks past. We were forced to take an unused route to avoid discovery, and then we headed toward Vingarri. Of course, you were not there, and we were unaware of the campaign in Kalimar. Once we learned you were in Sol Polis, we
came here straight away.”
“While your failure is disheartening, I believe we have Issal to thank for it. Now that we have Kalimar under our wing, the new Empire stands on firm ground.” Varius turned and circled her desk to stand behind it. “Four weeks past, I sent a missive to the kingdoms of the west, claiming the east coast as Empire lands and pronouncing our position. We move into the next phase, inviting those who fear Chaos to join us. Sol Polis is once again the capital of the Empire. It is only a matter of time before we rule the entire continent.”
Iko nodded. “Yes, Mother. The Hand shall once again guide the people of Issalia, as was meant to be. And one day, we will see the end of Chaos.”
The adventure continues in The Arcane Ward, which releases on September 6, 2018.
Note from the Author
A Warden’s Purpose is merely the beginning of a thrilling new adventure. With most characters I write, I feel as if Everson and Jacquinn are part of me — fragments come to life within the words on the pages. They return in book two of the series and are joined by others who play critical roles in the struggle to come. The Arcane Ward, book two of the Wardens of Issalia series, is now available for your reading enjoyment.
Best Wishes,
Jeffrey L. Kohanek
www.JeffreyLKohanek.com
Books by Jeffrey L. Kohanek
Runes of Issalia
The Buried Symbol (May 2016)
The Emblem Throne (October 2016)
An Empire in Runes (April 2017)
* * *
Rogue Legacy (February 2018)
* * *
Wardens of Issalia
A Warden’s Purpose (May 2018)
The Arcane Ward (Sept 2018)
An Imperial Gambit (Dec 2018)
…more to come in 2019
A Warden's Purpose (Wardens of Issalia Book 1) Page 29
