She looked around. They were alone. “Who?”
Finally, his expression relaxed. “It’s my friend, Phaedra. She means us no harm. She probably wonders where I disappeared to.”
“Another Watcher?”
“Yes, of course. She’s helping with the search for information, part of what we have to-”
The next moment he vanished. One moment he was there, the following he was gone.
Lucia turned around in a circle, alarmed. “Alexius?”
And then the meadow, the Sanctuary, were gone, disappearing like broken glass falling away and leaving only darkness behind.
CHAPTER 5
JONAS
AURANOS
Hawk’s Brow, the largest city in Auranos, was an excellent place to witness the true effect of having the King of Blood on the throne.
It was also a great spot for two rebels to seed some revolution before heading back to their camp in the rough forests of the Wildlands.
“Look at them,” Jonas said to Brion as they moved down the side of the road in the heart of the vibrant business district-shiny taverns, luxurious inns, and shops selling all sorts of wares, from flowers to jewelry to clothing. “Going about business as usual.”
“Auranians are certainly. .” Brion paused to find the right word. “Adaptable?”
“Gullible’s more like it. It’s sickening.” A boy about their age strode past them and Jonas called out to him. “Do you live here?”
The young man had blond hair. He was dressed in the finest silk, a tunic the color of emeralds and decorated with gold-threaded details.
“I do,” the boy said, frowning as he swept his gaze over the pair’s torn and dusty cloaks. “You’re. . not from around here, are you?”
Jonas crossed his arms. “We’ve come to Hawk’s Brow in search of information about how the people of this fine city are dealing with the new king.”
The boy’s gaze darted to others passing them by without second glances, and then to the far right where there were two of the king’s uniformed soldiers patrolling the next crossroads.
“Do you work for King Gaius?” he asked.
“Consider us independent researchers,” Brion replied.
The boy shifted his feet nervously. “I can only speak for myself, but I am more than happy to welcome a new ruler to Auranos. I have heard of his speech last week and all the wonderful promises he made-about the construction of the road and the betrothal of his son to Princess Cleiona. We’re all very excited about the royal wedding next month.”
“Do you believe it’s a good match?” Jonas asked.
His expression grew thoughtful. “I do. And, if you ask me, the princess should be thanking the goddess for such a lofty betrothal. It shows that King Gaius is willing to put aside hard feelings for a smooth transition to his rule. He puts his new citizens first. And, really, not much has changed despite the”-again, his gaze moved toward the soldiers in red-“increased presence of his men.”
Not much has changed. Perhaps not for someone who spent his pampered life with his head stuck up his own arse. Jonas and Brion had talked to many in this city since they arrived yesterday and most had had the same response as this fool. Life had been easy before, and they believed if they did as King Gaius instructed and didn’t cause problems, life would continue on that way indefinitely.
“Are you aware of a growing rebel presence in Auranos?” Brion asked.
The boy’s brows drew together. “Rebels? We don’t want any problems like that.”
“I didn’t ask if you wanted problems, but if you’d heard of them.”
“I have heard of a few scattered rebel groups-both Auranian and Paelsian-causing difficulties. Destroying property, inciting riots.”
Inciting riots? Brion and Jonas exchanged a curious glance.
Such rumors sounded as if the rebels were aimless in their goals. They were not. Everything Jonas chose to do-be it property destruction, poaching for food, or stealing a ready supply of weapons for practice and protection-was to create a stronger group of rebels who would be ready to rise up fully against the king when the time was right. He also focused much of his attention on recruiting new rebels to enter his ranks.
Jonas’s main reason to journey to Hawk’s Brow was to source new recruits. As the largest city in Auranos, less than a half day’s journey from the City of Gold, it was a key area where Jonas knew he needed rebel support. Just that morning, Jonas had convinced a young and pretty Hawk’s Brow maiden to join their cause, and to await his future instructions. The riots this boy spoke of, though, must be the work of other factions-perhaps even Auranians. It was a good indication that they weren’t all as useless as this one.
The boy continued, “I’ve also heard that any rebels who are captured are put to death. What sane person would ever want to join their ranks?” His gaze then shifted with growing alarm between the two boys, as if realization had finally dawned on him with whom he spoke. “I, uh, really must be on my way. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Oh, we will,” Jonas called after him as he scurried away without another word. “We certainly will.”
“Definitely not rebel material,” Brion murmured.
“Perhaps one day, but not today. He hasn’t seen nearly enough hardship.”
“He actually smelled like jasmine and citrus. Who smells like jasmine and citrus?”
“Certainly not you,” Jonas said, laughing. “When was the last time you. .” His words trailed off as he saw a fresco on the side of a building of King Gaius’s handsome face. The words STRENGTH, FAITH, and WISDOM-the Limerian credo-were in the mosaic below, along with the larger word TOGETHER.
“He’s doing it,” Jonas grumbled. “That bastard is fooling them into submission with his shiny speeches and pretty promises. They don’t realize that he’d happily destroy them at his whim.”
“Hey, where are you going?” Brion called after him as Jonas marched across the road toward the mural. The artist must have just finished, for the plaster was still wet. Jonas began to tear at it, smearing what could be smeared and crumbling the dry parts away in his hands.
“Jonas, we should go,” Brion cautioned him.
“I won’t let him win. We need to show everyone what a liar he is.” His fingers had quickly begun to bleed from the effort.
“We will. I mean, we are. We’re going to make a difference.” Brion looked nervously over his shoulder at the people that were gathering to see the vandalism of the king’s mural. “Remember those Auranian rebels who lost their heads last week?”
Jonas’s hands stilled. He’d managed to destroy the king’s face completely. It was very satisfying to wipe away the smug expression. He longed to do it in real life. “Yes.”
“Let’s not join them, all right? And on that note, let’s start running.”
Jonas’s gaze whipped to the right to see that several guards were drawing closer, their swords in hand.
“Stop!” one shouted at them. “In the name of the king!”
Running was definitely a good suggestion.
“Your new king lies to you all!” Jonas yelled at the crowd as he and Brion darted past them. A girl with long dark hair and light-brown eyes studied him curiously and he directed his next words at her. “The King of Blood will pay for his crimes against Paelsia! Do you stand next to a deceitful tyrant or do you stand with me and my rebels?”
If he could change just one mind today, then it would be worth it.
The guards stayed on Jonas and Brion’s tail as they tore down cobblestone streets, along narrow alleyways, barely avoiding the carriages and horses of wealthy Hawk’s Brow residents. With each sharp turn, Jonas thought they might have lost their pursuers, but the guards were not so easily evaded.
“This way,” Brion urged, grabbing Jonas’s arm and pulling him down a side street next to a small tavern.
But there was no exit. The two came to a staggering halt at the stone wall blocking their path and turned to face the three armed guards. A hawk on the tavern’s roof took off in flight.