Circle of Reign by Jacob Cooper Page B

feats were forced into holding their peace for fear of reprisal. Those who publicly stood by House Kerr dwindled over the cycles following his death until finally no one, not even in the Western Province, dared speak on behalf of House Kerr.
    The man noted the magnificent architecture that adorned the city as he scuffled along, some familiar, some not. Its grandiosity did not captivate him as it once had. Much had changed since his last visit to Calyn. The slower pace of his fishing village, Faljier, on the west coast of the province suited him much better.
    Ancient Heavens! Forgive me!
he had pleaded inwardly with his head bowed low. His face wore the expression of a defeated and broken man.
    His captors had assured him that instructions would come shortly, and word had indeed arrived by wing just four nights earlier. He remembered how his hands had shaken so violently as he broke the seal of a four-pointed star, the High Duke’s seal, and tried to read the words on the small parchment. He eventually had to set the message down on his humble wooden table and use small stones to spread it open in order to actually read it, so much did his hands tremble from adrenaline and disgust. The smell of the day’s catch had still lingered on the table, soaked into the wood.After he had read the message once, and then again, he threw the parchment with its words of mal-intent into the coals of his low burning fire. Though the parchment was quickly consumed, the ramifications of its words had hung heavy in the air.
    “All will be well,” the short shriveled man next to him had said. His words were higher pitched and couched in the most annoying Sentharian accent that only those from the Realm’s capitol spoke. Tyjil continued: “You must do what your Liege commands. In order to accomplish your…assignment, you must become a new person. It is not so difficult, though I know it may seem troubling now. Put aside the fisherman and take up the hunter.” Tyjil grinned maniacally.
    “I will not do it,” the man had said with his head still bowed.
    “For their sakes, I think you will.” Tyjil gestured to the woman and two younglings, a boy and girl, across the room guarded between two large men, both Khansian Guards, though they were not in uniform.
    “I didn’t realize the Duke’s personal guards had taken to kidnapping and extortion,” he said, finally raising his head. At that small show of defiance, one of the Khans removed a short blade from his belt and brought it to the boy’s ear. To his credit, the boy did not flinch or move.
    “Shane!” the woman cried out.
    “Now, now, I’m hoping we don’t have to resort to such—” Tyjil paused briefly. “Barbarism.” Addressing the boy he asked, “You are what? Thirteen? Fourteen?”
    “Fifteen,” the boy answered, trying to make his voice as deep as he could.
    “Ah what a delightful age,” Tyjil had replied. “Just about to become a man. You will find a young lady soon, no doubt, and children soon after! Oh, how wonderful it will be!” He turned his gaze back to Shane. “It will be wonderful, won’t it? You will comply, won’t you Shane? I think? Yes?”
    Shane met his wife’s eyes. The pleading of a mother for her children had been there. “Ahnia,” Shane spoke and tried to continuebut couldn’t. He raised his hand toward her, his mouth still trying to form words. In a way, he was asking for understanding, for what to do, for permission.
How can I do this? How can I not?
    With a terror-stricken face, Ahnia had nodded slightly but distinctly. “Yes,” she whispered as a tear spilled down her right cheek.
    “Good!” Tyjil clapped his hands together. “Splendid, really.” He motioned to the Khan who held the boy to release him. “Now, let us see to your preparations.”
    “Why me?” Shane had asked. “I don’t understand.”
    “Why?” Tyjil scoffed. “Why? Because no one knows you and no one would miss you. How many people are in your little