The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

“We just got to keep our persite colors straight.”
    “When you explain it like that, it certainly does seem simple, but Anton, do not minimize your part.  Deciphering the writing code was brilliant, and then perfecting the transport system…well, as you said; it has all taken fifty years.”
    “Yeah.  I’ve pulverized more logs of wood than I’ll admit to in testin’ this out.”
    “But everything works now, right?”  Concern crept into Larone’s tone.
    “Yep.  The first rabbit I used came back safe and sound, so Varnack volunteered to go next.”
    “Varnack!  You kept that a secret.”
    “It was a quick trip, but he came back in one piece.  Um…he was unconscious for a day or so, but I’ve   adjusted the amount of persite so’s the tidal pull won’t be as strong.”  Here Anton paused.  “That persite is powerful stuff, ’specially the white.  I remember the last time we did this.  We just about killed everyone.”
    “As I recall, we had little time.  The Demarian army crashed in moments after we left.  Sending them off-world saved their lives.” 
    “Yeah, too bad I didn’t understand the persite better.  I could’ve sent them somewhere closer.”
    “All ended well, Anton…As well as could have been hoped for.  Your incantation controlled the persite long enough to create a spiral, while Graesion bought just enough time to test it.  What you did was incredible, opening a Transmirian spiral and holding the portal long enough to transport two people through it.” 
    “Well, I… Never…I…Graesion.”  Anton cleared his throat, “I’ve thought of him a lot.  He was as fine a man as I ever did meet.  Too bad we couldn’t have sent his boy through too.  He’d still be alive.”  He cleared his throat again, much harder this time.
    “Haesom chose to stay, fully understanding the dangers.  He was an outstanding Protector, giving the people security and hope, and rebuilding the country after Segal’s defeat.  He will be revered as one of the finest Protectors Esparia has ever known.”  Jessica was stunned.  Haesom had been someone she’d dreamed up, a subconscious response to her mother’s death.  These men spoke of him as a real person.  But wasn’t this also a dream?
    “That doogeroot!  Segal!” Anton choked out the name.  Jessica jumped.  “Segal began all this with his lustin’ for power ‘n his self-appointed godhood.”
    “Yes, and now the son is more malignant than the father.  Daenon’s strength grows daily.”  Jessica felt a cold lump in her stomach.  She shivered, but not from cold.  “As the news of Protector Haesom’s death spreads, the people will start to lose heart.  They will rally to us for a time, but without a true heir of the Saylon family to lead them, they may lose their resolution.”  Larone sounded grim.
    “I agree we need a true heir.  A power vacuum right now would be disaster, but,” Anton faltered, “but have ya considered how the family’s goin’ to feel?  I’d be killin’mad if someone took my kid.”
    “Of course I have!  Do you not think I have gone over this a hundred times trying to find another way?  Another solution?  I’ve weighed the heartache of a few against the welfare of a nation.  I feel sick inside, yet I know, nothing doubting, that this is what we must do.”
    “I’m sorry, Larone.  Yeah,” he sighed heavily, “this is the only option, I just wish there was some way of giving a warning.”
    “Yes.  It would be nice to lay all the facts out in the open.  And, I will still do that.  No one will be forced to take on the role of High Protector, but the invitation, with all of its ramifications, must be made in person.”
    Anton’s voice was softer now, “I’ll begin working on a return trip, just in case the answer is no. But for now, I’ve set up the trigger mechanism so’s it activates when someone with the right life force touches it.  Since I didn’t have an exact