LEGACY BETRAYED (20 page)

              He nodded to himself, staring out across the dim, expansive hall.

              Perhaps this had been a blessing in disguise, as they said.

              The monarch stood and moved at a leisurely pace to procure one of his many Hermetic devices. He depressed its button and the warm light flared on, recording.

              “Taliko Castle,” he addressed the instrument. “Inform me of your status immediately, Duke Taliko. Do not underestimate how tenuous your grip. We –
we
must act quickly to salvage any sense of security in our remaining cities, mustn’t we? Perhaps we shall find a scapegoat. The people will need an enemy in this situation. A threat to be tangibly snuffed and to bring a sense of comfort and safety back into their rustling minds. That enemy will not be me, young man, understand that. I will ensure it. Perhaps it could be that rebel traitor you were harboring in the tower, that Trip Pot or some such? Or that girl . . . Did you ever apprehend either of them? I heard that you invited the girl to a ‘friendly debate’ . . . I assumed, of course, that this was a ruse to capture her. Was it successful? Failing all else, my boy, the scapegoat could always be you.”

              He took the Hermetic transmitter to one of his many arched windows and unleashed it over the smog-clotted sky of Heliopolis. As soon as its silvery veneer winked and vanished, he felt as if a great weight had been alleviated.

              Someone was going to pay.

              Then and only then could the common folk of New Earth return to work assuaged. Then and only then could everything be fine.

              Someone was going to pay.

              Because if the monarch was anything, he was fastidious about the smoothing of wrinkles. And Icarus had been the crease that would now define his reign. But he would set it right. He would promise his people this. He would tally all the wrongs, enforce every blood oath, and put their worried little hearts to bed.

              One way or another. Hell or high water.

Someone was going to pay.

~~~

NEXT: Legacy Lost