trying to decide where to strike first. It took a moment for him to notice that his body felt refreshed and energised. Not one to over-think good fortune, Soren burst into movement. He had already hit three of the points on the original drone, so he made for it first. Its blades moved so slowly now that Soren didn’t need to parry them; he could move between them at leisure. He pierced two points on his first pass, and weaved his way back between the steel blades to strike the final one.
All fear and uncertainty fled as soon as the Gift had begun to take its hold on him. He almost had time to watch the first drone’s appendages drop to its side as its body sank down onto the cobbled street before turning his attention to the second. He repeated his dance of steel around the other drone, revelling in the pleasure of superhuman speed, strength and agility. The relief at having escaped death was such that the consequences when the Gift faded were of no concern.
Chapter 9
Imperial Majesty
S oren fell to his hands and knees and retched on the cobbles, before the second drone had even touched back down to the ground. He had been eating little since he arrived at the island and there was not much to bring up. His head swam and it was several minutes before he felt up to standing again. He was tired, more tired than he ought to be; the hangover from the Gift was as strong as he had ever experienced — and stronger than he would have expected from such a short time in it. It had come on so quickly, and left such punishment in its wake that Soren was curious as to why, but that curiosity would have to wait.
Despite his fatigue he was concerned about being caught by another drone, so he forced himself to keep moving. Once he found the College of Mages, he could barricade himself in and rest before he began his search. With luck he would be safe from attack there. All he had to do was find it before he encountered any more. The questions of how they’d found him and if anyone was controlling them would also have to wait until he was safe.
He walked up the street until it levelled off and opened onto a wider road. To the north, the buildings seemed to remain consistent with those he had seen already, similar in size and design with nothing to make any of them stand out. To the south however, they seemed to grow larger. He headed in that direction.
The first building of any significance that he came to was a very large church, perhaps a cathedral. A tall campanile abutted it, which presented a good opportunity to get a better view of the city. He was exhausted and his legs felt like they were made out of lead, but he forced himself up the steps. He had no idea of how many more drones were hovering around the city, or how many might already be heading in his direction, but the longer he spent wandering around the streets the greater the chance of encountering one.
The ascent was torture on his legs, but the vantage point would make it worth the effort. Eventually he reached the top and made his way around the huge bronze bell that was still intact in its fittings. He was careful not to disturb it for fear of bringing all sorts of unknown unpleasantness in his direction. The roof was supported by an arch on each side of the square tower, each archway affording a spectacular view across the city.
He looked out in the direction he had just come from. The city was situated on promontory and had the sea running along its northern, eastern and western sides. In the north eastern corner there was a great bowl harbour with a small outlet into the sea. It was octagonal in shape and bore some resemblance to the inner harbour at Ostenheim, being enveloped by the land rather than having walls jutting out into the sea.
To the north he could just make out the stretch of water that separated Vellin from Ilora, along with the tops of two great towers that stood on either side of the strait. It was a vast city, and if his
All fear and uncertainty fled as soon as the Gift had begun to take its hold on him. He almost had time to watch the first drone’s appendages drop to its side as its body sank down onto the cobbled street before turning his attention to the second. He repeated his dance of steel around the other drone, revelling in the pleasure of superhuman speed, strength and agility. The relief at having escaped death was such that the consequences when the Gift faded were of no concern.
Chapter 9
Imperial Majesty
S oren fell to his hands and knees and retched on the cobbles, before the second drone had even touched back down to the ground. He had been eating little since he arrived at the island and there was not much to bring up. His head swam and it was several minutes before he felt up to standing again. He was tired, more tired than he ought to be; the hangover from the Gift was as strong as he had ever experienced — and stronger than he would have expected from such a short time in it. It had come on so quickly, and left such punishment in its wake that Soren was curious as to why, but that curiosity would have to wait.
Despite his fatigue he was concerned about being caught by another drone, so he forced himself to keep moving. Once he found the College of Mages, he could barricade himself in and rest before he began his search. With luck he would be safe from attack there. All he had to do was find it before he encountered any more. The questions of how they’d found him and if anyone was controlling them would also have to wait until he was safe.
He walked up the street until it levelled off and opened onto a wider road. To the north, the buildings seemed to remain consistent with those he had seen already, similar in size and design with nothing to make any of them stand out. To the south however, they seemed to grow larger. He headed in that direction.
The first building of any significance that he came to was a very large church, perhaps a cathedral. A tall campanile abutted it, which presented a good opportunity to get a better view of the city. He was exhausted and his legs felt like they were made out of lead, but he forced himself up the steps. He had no idea of how many more drones were hovering around the city, or how many might already be heading in his direction, but the longer he spent wandering around the streets the greater the chance of encountering one.
The ascent was torture on his legs, but the vantage point would make it worth the effort. Eventually he reached the top and made his way around the huge bronze bell that was still intact in its fittings. He was careful not to disturb it for fear of bringing all sorts of unknown unpleasantness in his direction. The roof was supported by an arch on each side of the square tower, each archway affording a spectacular view across the city.
He looked out in the direction he had just come from. The city was situated on promontory and had the sea running along its northern, eastern and western sides. In the north eastern corner there was a great bowl harbour with a small outlet into the sea. It was octagonal in shape and bore some resemblance to the inner harbour at Ostenheim, being enveloped by the land rather than having walls jutting out into the sea.
To the north he could just make out the stretch of water that separated Vellin from Ilora, along with the tops of two great towers that stood on either side of the strait. It was a vast city, and if his
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