Legon Restoration Read online

  Contents

  Copyright

  Acknowledgements

  Other titles by Nicholas Taylor

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Epilogue

  Pactum Sample

  About the Author

  Legon Restoration

  Book Three in the Legon Series

  Text copyright © 2012 by Nicholas Taylor

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recorded, photocopied, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

  Somnium Press, LLC

  PO Box 621458

  Littleton, CO 80162

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious and are a product of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to persons living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  www.NicholasTaylor.co

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to thank all of my family and friends who have supported me and my publishing endeavors. Writing the Legon books has been a true joy and dream for me. Most of all, I would like to thank all of you reading this book. Thank you for taking the time to read my work and thank you so much for the emails and messages. Your emails have been a motivation for me and have made this whole process wonderful. Thank you so much for your support, and I hope you enjoy Legon Restoration.

  Other titles by Nicholas Taylor:

  The Legon Series

  Legon Awakening

  Legon Ascension

  Legon Restoration

  The Contractor Series

  Pactum

  Prologue

  Introductions

  "Appearance is just that; what we see, not what is. Still, that is how we are placed in society. If one can master the way others see them, they can then master society and therefore the world they live in."

  -Rivulets of Time

  Neelya placed her bag on her new bed in the Palace. She was to be Queen Hoelaria's new assistant. This was a great honor and credit to her. To be selected by one so esteemed was no small feat. She took in the room which was much finer than that of her last home. The workmanship was a little spotty but she didn't judge that, after all this was an ape built structure, the first she'd lived in. She walked to a window overlooking the Capital. Blue skies fell on green hills. Only a few clouds were visible. She opened the window. The sharp and offensive scents of the city assaulted her and she shut it again, deciding that she preferred the sweet smell of her room.

  She picked up a note pad as she made her way out of her room, finding a human in the hall waiting for her.

  "Take me to the Queen," she ordered, not looking at the creature.

  "Yes my lady," he said.

  She walked behind the ape not paying attention to him, but rather studying every inch of her new home.

  The servant lead her to what she presumed were the Queen's quarters. The servant opened one of two large redwood doors letting her in. Neelya marveled at the large apartment’s elegance. The room’s exquisite lines and symmetry spoke of a master Iumenta craftsman. Neelya walked in the entry room taking in the fine decor. She noticed that the servant did not enter. The room stood in stark contrast from that of the rest of the Palace. Her eyes gliding over smooth ceramic walls.

  "Neelya," a cool voice called from another room.

  She followed the voice to a small dining room.

  "Un Prose," Neelya said, bowing to the Queen.

  "You may rise. For you it is not necessary to bow upon seeing me; when in private," the Queen stated matter-of-factly.

  "Thank you."

  "Please join me," Hoelaria said.

  Neelya felt confused, she'd always heard that the Queen was ill tempered; but she didn't seem so now. Neelya sat opposite the Queen taking her in. Hoelaria eyed Neelya looking her up and down like a piece of art.

  "I take a great deal of time selecting an assistant Neelya, you should know that. With that knowledge comes knowing that you are highly desirable, but also means that you must meet those expectations," Hoelaria said, no menace or threat coloring her tone, just fact.

  Neelya fought the urge to swallow, "Yes Un Prose, I will not let you down."

  An Iumenta came in the room with two silver trays; he sat one before the Queen and then Neelya. He then left the room without uttering a word.

  Neelya eyed the servant as he left.

  "Humans do not enter my quarters," the Queen said, "please eat. You will be dining with me often."

  She did as asked, spearing a cooked carrot. For a long time the Queen said nothing. She would just look up at Neelya, nod to herself and go back to eating. Neelya didn't speak.

  "You seem nervous Neelya," the Queen casually observed.

  "Forgive me, I do not mean to come off scared or weak Un Prose."

  Hoelaria looked at her again, a slight gleam in her eye. "Neelya, I know the reputation that I have, it’s one I've worked hard to earn. When you leave my service you will help to spread that reputation. I am ruthless and I am ill tempered; but you are my assistant, which is a close relationship in our society. You are as obligated to serve me as much as I am obligated to mentor you. In public, I expect you to do as you are told. In private however, I expect you to speak your mind, respectfully of course, and if you feel so inclined, to question me. This is how you learn, this is how our society has flourished for millennia, and this is what raises us above the ape standing in the hall."

  Neelya understood.

  "I like the food," Neelya said surprising herself.

  The Queen's lips twitched almost in a smile, "Yes, the apes can cook well."

  Neelya looked down at her plate, "Humans are capable of this?"

  "Yes..."

  An Iumenta entered the room, stopping whatever the Queen was about to say. He bowed to the Queen, "You said to enter when I got news Un Prose."

  "What is it?" the Queen asked coolness back in her tone.

  Neelya's ears perked up, what was going on?

  "Un Prose, Noris has fallen."

  Chapter One

  Ascended

  "At times life appears to be more random than it is planned, but I wonder. Is it that life is random or just that we are so blind as to miss the master’s plan."

  - Conversations in the Garden

  Her lungs filled with heavy sea air. Bright white mist straining her eyes as they tried to focus, she lifted herself from the ground, turning to see a bloody figure at her feet. She was looking at herself. "That's odd," Sasha thought. She looked around trying to see through dense mist. Sasha thought she was alone, but she wasn't sure the fog was so thick. Absently she wiggled her toes.

  She looked down feeling grass, "I'm naked," she said with a shock. "How come I'm naked?" she asked again and th
en, "What is this place, what am I doing here?" Memories washed over her. She had gotten hurt when they were ambushed; was she dead? No she decided, she could feel the ground and it didn't feel dead to her, but what did dead feel like? And why was she looking at herself? She remembered Legon pulling her into his mind, was that were she was? Was she just a part of his mind now? A sound from behind her caused her to spin. She was next to a wall... a wall of diamonds. Looking down Sasha saw a paw and massive gold claws, her head tilted up to look into the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen. Looking into them she felt waves of love emanating from the dragon.

  "Hello," was all she could think to say, then feeling rude she added, "My name is Sasha."

  The White Dragon chuckled, the sound of it like a deep soothing roll of thunder, "I know who you are, Sasha, but that was very polite of you," he said in her mind. His voice was rich, resonating in her chest and soul.

  "Am I dead?" she asked.

  The dragon shook his head, "No my daughter you are not. While badly injured, your brother Ascended right on top of you, with your minds fully connected."

  She thought about that, "So then why am I here?" She felt no fear and wondered why that was.

  "It is because you have nothing to fear from me, and you being here is my will. When you wake, you will no longer be human. What your brother did was so powerful your body could not withstand it, humans are not meant to experience the magic you did. That aside, I have brought you here for a reason. You are here now to receive two gifts from me," the White Dragon said.

  "Gifts?" Sasha clarified.

  "Yes, the first is my anger. You are a uniquely kind person Sasha, truly one of my greatest creations. With your kindness you have been a compass and a guide, something you will always be. You deplore violence in all its forms, but now you and your brother must purify this land, you must restore things to their proper place."

  "I'm going to be mad?" she asked, getting confused. How was anger a gift?

  "Anger can be harmful if it is the wrong kind, but my anger is pure; it will be a shield and a motivation for you. With it you will pour out my indignation upon those who have trodden on the innocent, have molested and maimed my children. My anger is the refiner’s fire.

  "You cannot now comprehend, but soon will," he said lowering his head to hers, touching the tip of his nose to her forehead. With his touch came energy and emotion, shaking her; her whole being feeling as if it would explode. She saw the pain and suffering of a thousand years and more, she felt the sorrow of the land, felt the hopelessness. It was like what Legon would do with people; but what she saw now was not the pain of one small event or even a lifetimes worth, but thousands of lifetimes. The power in the White Dragon kept her mind safe, but she felt the pain none the less. Deep inside her a flame began to grow, began to spread throughout her, making its way to her heart where it bloomed. Anger the likes of which Sasha had never experienced took over, and with it a drive, a need to stop the wicked. She looked up into his blue eyes. She now understood. Her whole frame trembled with the force of her rage; but with it love, an overwhelming love, even for those that caused her anger.

  The Dragon spoke, "You will not live like this, but when you see the suffering of my children, when that pain in others stirs you up to anger or when you are facing battle; this will be the anger that you feel. This anger is tempered with love and that is why I send it with you into the world. My final gift to you is the power to use my anger."

  Once again Sasha felt like she was ready to burst, but this time not with anger. It was something different, something raw and familiar, it was magic.

  * * * * *

  Iselin lost more altitude, being driven towards the sea below. One of the two dragons that had attacked her sent a jet of emerald flames, scorching her right side. Her healing wards were all but gone and she winced in pain. She turned to look at a blue dragon as its tail lashed out; she screamed as her front left leg broke. Blood drained from her unchecked as the last of her magic was spent.

  Time slowed, she could no longer feel Legon or Sasha, they must be dead, she thought. She knew she would be soon as well. One of her attackers, a green dragon, seemed to sneer at her as its body glowed with a spell that ran up its length, turning into a ball of energy that hurtled its way towards her. Her mind didn't even register the flickers of ruby and lavender that surrounded her. Her vision went amethyst. Confused, she looked around.

  From above she heard a deafening roar. She looked up to the cloud covered cliffs and from the mist a figure dropped. Still her mind was not working at full speed; Iselin could hardly understand what she was seeing. A massive form of a lavender dragon dove down at them. Two minds reconnected with hers, both a tangle of rage. A figure detached from the back of her husband, a beautiful Elf with long brown hair waving behind her. Seeing what dragons could see, Iselin took in the girl cocooned in a nimbus of ruby energy. The energy around the girl condensed into an orb that shot from her hand, streaking by Iselin. There was a crack of magic on ward and time resumed normal speed. Iselin turned, seeing the blue dragon tumble in space its wards glowing hot. It corrected itself as three more ruby spells hit it. In the next moment, she looked to the green dragon, a jet of emerald flames spewing up at Legon. He opened his maw and a torrent of violate fire erupted from him, pushing back the green fire with little effort. The two dragons hit, sending them down further. There was a wet snap and the sound of something getting the wind knocked out of it. Iselin thought the green dragon must have broken a bone when Legon hit it.

  Sasha's mind boiled with anger and spoke to her. "Ise you need to focus. We have to hold this thing until my brother is done killing the other one. You keep yourself in the air, I will deal with the filth," her mind said with an edge Iselin had never heard from Sasha.

  She felt something touch down on her back, which immediately starting sending spells at the blue dragon. Iselin felt her heart race with energy from Sasha, dulling pain and steadying her in the sky. From Sasha's mind she felt rivers of power, but she couldn't focus on that at the moment, she needed to stay alive.

  * * * * *

  Legon looked down at Sasha's unconscious form. He could see from the ever growing cloud of ruby energy emanating from her body that she was very alive. Her heart beat was increasing and her chest rose and fell fast. What is it, Sash, his mind sent; but her mind was closed to him, a strange alien feeling. Her body didn't look the same as it had before, she was an Elf now. Her eye lids fluttered and slowly opened.

  Legon's heart stopped for a moment. Sasha's once blue eyes were no longer blue. Her corneas didn't sparkle with flecks of red as if she were Ascended; but rather were ruby mirrors, the natural blue color completely gone. Before Legon could think anymore she smiled up at him, reaching up pulling herself to his nose and kissing it.

  Legon heard what sounded like rocks grind as he chuckled at her. Her mind connected with him and aside from a feeling of immense joy he felt power in her; it was like when Iselin was in her Ascended form but Sasha was no dragon. "It looks like I'm going to be stuck with you a bit longer," he said.

  She smiled again. "Yes," she laughed.

  Their moment was interrupted by the sound of a dragon’s scream. Both tensed, remembering; ISELIN! Sasha's mind went from joy to fear to anger, an anger like the type Legon had never felt. She was on her feet, Legon looked over to where Emma and Mage lay; Emma crawling, dragging her broken leg, Mage out cold. With a shrug of his magic Emma and Mage glowed purple as their injuries healed instantly. Legon sent a mental message to his, Iselin's and Mage's familiars telling them to protect Mage and Emma.

  Emma looked amazed but Legon didn't have time, Sasha leapt on his back without effort. Legon ran at the cliff spreading his wings, he'd been told that dragons knew how to fly by instinct and he hoped that was true. His wings drove down and he jumped into the air. He felt a temporary sense of joy as he lifted into space. With two powerful strokes of his wings he was clearing the cliff. The cloud was dense but he could
hear his wife being killed below him. Both he and Sasha placed wards around Iselin, almost at once Legon felt the wards being tested.

  "That was like getting hit by a toddler," Sasha said, amazed feeling the little energy Legon had needed to repel the attack.

  Legon dove snapping his wings to his sides. The cloud parted and both he and Sasha's rage flared seeing Iselin's extensive injuries. Iselin was barely keeping herself in the sky; blood poured from her and her leg was broken. Legon roared, causing Iselin and her attackers to look up.

  "I'll hold the blue one!" Sasha thought to him leaping from his back and sending a ball of magic at the blue Iumenta. Legon bore down on the green one; it breathed emerald fire at him. He responded with flames of his own, feeling the other dragon’s magic buckle. He slammed into the green dragon, sending them plummeting to the ocean. It bit at him but it was so small compared to Legon. Without effort Legon clamped his jaws at the base of the Iumenta's neck, feeling his mouth fill with a wonderful, sweet, tangy blood. The dragon roared and Legon reached with his front paw grabbing the dragon’s wing at the base. With all his might he ripped with his paw and pulled with his jaws. The dragon howled in pain as Legon heard a slurping pop as the wing came loose from its joint and flesh ripped away from bone. The wing tore away taking strips of back muscle with it. Legon kicked the green dragon sending its body, now missing a wing, to knock against the sheer cliff, thudding to the jagged rocks and surf below. He tossed the wing he was holding and started to ascend to Iselin and Sasha.

  Legon strained to climb to where Iselin was dodging attacks from the blue dragon. Sasha was doing her best to defend with magic but could only spare so much energy to keep the exhausted Iselin in the air. Legon pushed harder, gaining altitude with more and more ease. The blue dragon looked at him, fear on its face. Legon didn't bother with charging it but rather let energy run down him and out in a blast of magic. The dragon’s head burst from the spell; sending bone, flesh and teeth in every direction.