Darkness Falling: Soldiers and Slaves Read Online Free Page A

don't you go seek out your mother and continue planning your celebration. I don't know why you insist on following me around on the dull business of being Emperor.”
    “I don't think it's dull, father.” Gleyth said honestly. 
    Ka Harn gave her a wearied expression. “If only your brother were as persistent as you,” she could see his jaw tighten at the thought of her brother. “But, it is not every day that the High Princess sees her twentieth turning. Your attention would be far more suited to planning the party rather than here,” Ka Harn wrapped an arm around his daughter’s shoulders as he ushered her out into the hallway.
    Gleyth clenched her fists but she didn't fight back against his insistence. She knew it wouldn't do any good to start an argument, not today of all days. She wasn't interested in planning her celebration; a traditional ball where a noble family officially announced their daughter to be an adult and ready for marriage. Gleyth did not have a choice of whom she would wed, let alone that she was being wed at all.
    She would rather be involved in what was real and important. There wasn't anything she could do to save the slave and the Enforcer, but she didn't want to ignore that it was happening. More than that, she knew the Empire was having difficulty on many fronts. There was the collapsing economy, the talk of a rebellion massing an army to the south, and the threat of the Senna Plague epidemic still effecting those in poverty.
    There was so much more she could help with than planning a party if her father would only give her the opportunity.
    “Are you all right, Gleyth?” Ka Harn was looking at her solemnly.
    “Of course, father, I...” she stopped, her eyes searching his.
    If only she could tell him that she didn't want her celebration, or to marry, and that she should be his heir.
    “I'm just thinking about my celebration,” she lied. “There's so much to do.”
    “Hurry along then,” the Emperor's face flooded with relief. He steered her out of the small chamber, and closed the door, leaving her alone in the dim corridor.
     

CHAPTER THREE
    Clenching her stomach, she moaned and curled into a ball on the mattress. A ray of sunlight found its way through a small crack in the ceiling to make itself a resident of her face. She opened one eye in annoyance. The old woman sat beside her patiently, her hands folded in her lap. Her warm smile radiated from her silver eyes. Energy flowed around her in a visible aura of pale white light.
    Fascinated, the young woman couldn't help but stare, following the path of tiny wisps as they burst with power then faded into the stream. The old woman's face remained serene. This place was peaceful.
    “What time is it?” the young woman asked.
    “Just after seven in the morning, if the last chime of the Tower was correct, which it tends to be.” It was an unusual answer, yet somehow comforting. “I am Winifred Mei'Akar, my dear. Last heir of to the Ma Akar. You may call me Wini.”
    The young woman had never heard of the Ma Akar, but she felt as though perhaps she should have. She already felt like an intruder and dreaded appearing uneducated as well.
    “Impyra,” she replied, her eyes darting away nervously.
    “What?” Wini tilted her head.
    “My name is Impyra, heir to no clan and all of the other names my master gave to me are not suitable for polite company.”
    Her anxiety twisted her stomach once more. Crossing her arms over her abdomen she leaned forward to ride out the pain. Stabbing waves beat against her before slowly beginning to subside.
    “Are you all right, child?” Wini asked softly.
    “Yes, it's just the sickness,” she grumbled.
    “You have used a lot of energy today,” Wini said quietly, “I understand.”
    Impyra had never met anyone else with the gift. Wini was more than gifted, she was a veritable well of power. Impyra had never imagined that was possible.
    “You know about the sickness?” she asked as the pain