Of Heroes And Villains (Book 4) by Julius St. Clair Page A

Quietus. Nothing. It’s dead here.”
    “Interesting,” Arimus said, thinking carefully. “How far can you read?”
    “The entire Quietus Kingdom,” James replied. “I’m tapping into my Quietus blood to enhance my senses. There’s nothing here, unless the survivors are hiding beyond an eidolon’s capabilities.”
    “Unlikely, but let’s keep on checking.”
    “Agreed.”
     
    *              *              *
     
    He barely felt the chains on his wrists. They dug into his skin, and they were so tight that they were leaving welts, but they didn’t hurt one bit. They should have hurt. It would have been what he deserved. But instead, he was denied even that. The two adults that had brought him in were both of the Allayan Order, and they were big and strong, but even they couldn’t hold him if he didn’t want them to. He was slowly coming under the impression that no one in Allay could.
    And he didn’t know what that meant.
    He didn’t want to know what that meant.
    He was thrown to his knees on the hard throne room floor. He kept his visage on the Queen, but one of the adults grabbed him by the neck and “forced” his head down. He could hear her rising from her throne chair, slow and uncertain.
    “What is this?” Catherine demanded, to which one of the adults cleared his throat.
    “Your Highness, this boy has committed murder.”
    “Murder?!” her voice was appalled, with both shock and disbelief. He could feel her icy gaze upon the back of his neck. “There hasn’t been a murder in nearly half a decade. Are you sure?”
    “There were witnesses,” the man continued.
    “Seeker…what happened?”
    “He was play fighting with eidolons in the meadow and—“
    “—so it was an accident.”
    “No, your Grace. It was not. This boy had already broken another’s nose and so help was sought after. When we arrived, we personally saw this boy break the eidolon of another. It was Master Torill’s son.”
    Master Torill? Bastion’s eyes went wide. That’s who Mason was? A child of the Order of the Allayans? No wonder he was so brash.
    “Was Mason cared for?” he heard Catherine ask.
    “Yes. He is well, considering the trauma.”
    “So no murder was committed.”
    “There might as well have been!” he shouted, to which he then cleared his throat again. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. It’s just that…there might as well have been. We know all too well what happens to someone when their eidolon is broken. There is the risk of death if the wielder is weak.”
    “But…there was no murder.”
    “There was so,” he insisted. “A murder of the boy’s character and spirit. He has lost the confidence and tenacity that he once showed. I fear that he may not fight again. He will deny his acceptance to the Academy, and seek a life of mediocrity. He will waste his life away when he could have been a great warrior. If the kingdom is attacked, his lack of participation will be the end of—“
    “—that will be enough,” Catherine said, doing her best to stifle a snicker. Bastion took the chance and raised his head. Catherine indeed was fighting back a smile. “No murder has been committed. The eidolon was broken, but it hasn’t even been a day. If he truly is Master Torill’s son, and he is to become this legend as you say, he will be fine. I understand that Master Torill wants the best care for his son, but I hardly think—“
    “—I came in Master Torill’s stead.”
    “Wait. Does he not know you’re here?”
    “He told me not to bother.”
    “Seeker,” she sighed. “Then why are you here?”
    “Because this boy must be punished!” he spat. “No one can attack, let alone kill, the son of our leader and get away with it! This boy obviously has violent tendencies. He should be dealt with.”
    “And what is your suggestion? Please don’t say dea—“
    “—death!” he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls.
    “Death,” she sighed. “Of course. Listen,