Azra of the Burning Sands (Genesis Project) (24 page)

EPILOGUE

‘There has been an incident on Antia... I have just been informed. Dykyn was injured... I will go and investigate... do not worry, my King, my Queen, your son is precious to me too... I would not see anything happen to him...’

- Thyryn, the Royal Vizier of the Paltian Royal court, addressing the King and Queen of the Paltian Empire, after he was informed of the troubles in Sallock

ARCHWAY PLAZA – SALLOCK – BAZRA DESERT

J
ahnyz stepped out of the Archway plaza once again. This time she was wearing good robes, and had cleaned herself up. Her friends were safe in Minna, and she had explained to the King, as best she could, the situation. He had requested a chance to think, and plan a course of action. Jahnyz was all too willing to oblige. She had wanted to go back to Sallock and try to track down some information from Kont.

She hadn’t expected what was waiting for her though. As soon as she stepped through the Archway, she was surrounded by white robed people, all facing her with their hands raised. There were forms covered in blankets in the Plaza, and sand was everywhere. Some of it was stained with blood.

‘Don’t make any sudden movements,’ one of them ordered.

Jahnyz froze in place. ‘What’s going on?’

‘The Sorcerer, Shakla, escaped from his cell.’

‘Is he still here?’

‘No. We tried to stop him, but he was assisted by someone within Sallock.’

‘Who?’

‘We don't know. We need you to come with us until everything is under control.’

Jahnyz just nodded. Four of the white-robed Wyzards fell into around her, and started her towards the central tower.

‘Did anyone get hurt?’

‘Twelve people were killed, including a member of the Council, and three people were injured and two are unconscious right now. We are treating them before we try and get any answers from them.’

‘Wait... a Councillor was killed?
Who?’

‘Mistress Ahaki Dahn.’

Jahnyz felt like she had been struck. She stopped walking, and one of the men bumped into her.

‘What?’

‘Mistress Ahaki Dahn was killed trying to stop the Sorcerer Shakla,’ one of White Wyzards repeated.

Jahnyz stood there for a long moment, as the apparent power of the Sorcerer filled her mind with terrible, dark, thoughts.

The guards urged her along, and she continued forward, ghostlike.

Once inside, she was lead to another chamber. Inside this room there were more of the white-robed Mahgic police of Sallock, and some people lying on beds. Jahnyz recognized one of them as Dykyn. She rushed over to him, pushing aside from the guards.

Dykyn’s forehead had a cut on it, and he was awake, staring mutely at the ceiling. His eyes solid red eyes were like smouldering pools of hate. Jahnyz placed her hand on Dykyn’s. He looked at her, almost blankly. Jahnyz saw his jaw clench.

‘Dykyn,’ Jahnyz said, feeling more concerned than she thought she could. ‘Are you all right.’

‘He killed her,’ Dykyn said in a dark voice.

Jahnyz nodded. ‘I know,’ she whispered.

‘That lizard scum bit out her throat, like she was just meat. She was already beaten. He did it anyway! She couldn’t even stand anymore!’

The look of utter hopeless hatred that filled Dykyn’s face made Jahnyz shiver. She gently ran her hand against his cheek.

Dykyn’s face twisted in disgust, and he snarled, ‘He paralysed me and forced me to watch. He made me helpless... I was too...
weak.
I was
useless
.’

He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

Jahnyz squeezed his hand, trying to offer some comfort.

‘It’ll be okay,’ she whispered.

‘It’s the second time in my life that I’ve been at the mercy of a lizard...’ His eyes flashed open again and he stared at Jahnyz. ‘I’ll
never
be that helpless again,’ he growled. ‘Shakla will die by
my
hand... I
promise
you!’

‘Oh, Dykyn,’ Jahnyz whispered and she leaned forward, laying against him, holding him.

‘It’ll be okay,’ she whispered again, ‘it’ll be okay...’

It felt like she was lying.

END BOOK 1

Acknowledgements

If it please the jury, I would like my first acknowledgement to be towards God. I am grateful to him for my talents.

Next up, and probably a frequent repeat, I have my parents. Without whom, I would not be who I am. Rock on folks.

My good friend, and the Ravania Big Cheese himself, Aaron Smith, gets a special mention this time. Every time he lets me play in the Genesis Project sandbox, bad things happen. But he calls them good, and then we make a book out of them (More GP books from me later!), plus he was very instrumental in the very fabric of this book, weaving it into the Genesis Project lore with a master touch, and helping me gain a little something extra in my storytelling.

My lovely niece Kara, though the book is already dedicated to her, gets another mention here. She was Azra's first fan, and I hope finally getting to read the rest of the book doesn't change that. Which I'm certain it won't.

Jonothan Ross, another dear friend of mine, also gets mention. He has been ever supportive of my efforts in writing, and seems to genuinely enjoy what I do. Either he is delusional, or I'm doing something right, either way, I am greatly appreciative of his support.

My lovely girlfriend Fabienne must also be mentioned. She's been very supportive of me writing in general. I hope when she reads this she enjoys it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arlin Fehr lives in British Columbia, Canada, where he spends most of his time working and planning our stories.

At some point, Arlin was under the belief that beards equalled magic (or rather Mahgic) power. As a result of this belief, he began to grow a beard. Unfortunately, it did not translate into an ability to throw fireballs from his hands. This was unfortunate.

Instead of being disappointed by this, Arlin chose to write a book about a man who could throw fire from his hands.

You have just finished reading that book.

Ravania Entertainment

Ravania Enertainment is an independent entertainment dedicated to the art of storytelling. If you enjoyed this book, come check out some of the other titles available. Or find out more about the authors!

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