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A.R.Yngve

DARC AGES Book Three
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Chapter 35


The citizens of Damon City turned their heads up to look into the sky, and what they saw made their skin crawl with fear. Above, a squadron of Lord Damon's jet fleet roared past and away from the city; from afar, one could just make out the shape of another squadron. The two ship formations joined, ascended into the clouds, and disappeared from sight.

The noise awakened all citizens; among them was young Awonso. He was still asleep in his home, after a particularly lengthy nightly visit to high-priestess Inu. The outside noise receded, and Awonso identified its source. Suddenly alert, he rushed outside and gazed into the gray winter sky. He could see nothing.

Awonso returned indoors and asked his mother: "The noise, mother -- was it...?"

"Lord Damon's air fleet, and another fleet I think. They headed down south a moment ago. Shouldn't you hurry to the castle and ask Librian what is going on?"

"Goddess!" he exclaimed with a frightened realization. "The lord is away... the city! The merchant plot... I must warn Librian!"

Awonso got into his clothes and rushed out into the slush-covered street. His steps were swifter, his body not as plump as it once had been. He had not reached far, when a figure separated itself from the crowd and caught his attention. The man stood in his way, with a mocking sneer on his bearded face. Awonso spun around, and saw another man closing in on him -- fumbling with something inside his cloak. The conspirators from the Merchants' Lodge! The apprentice librarian saw a roofed electric carriage whirring past, loaded with soldiers. He leapt into the cobblestone road, reached for the open end of the wagon and held on to the hatch.

A sitting sergeant barked at him: "Go away, brat! No free rides!"

One of Awonso's pursuers made a desperate last attempt to stop him, and dashed for the passing vehicle; a knife-blade gleamed in his hand. Awonso glimpsed him coming, swung one foot up and heaved himself into the back wagon of the carriage. The man ceased his pursuit, and disappeared back into the street crowd. Awonso crawled to his feet, and faced two rows of armed soldiers sitting on each side of the wagon -- sixteen men all in all.

The sergeant asked: "Who are you?"

"Awonso, deputy librarian at Lord Damon's castle. I must get into the castle and see Librian!"

The sergeant gave him a shrewd look, and said in a slightly less intimidating manner: "I remember... you're not allowed in there now. Library's closed to outsiders."

He made a move toward Awonso, who refused to leave.

"Please, it's important! I have urgent news! I have proof of a conspiracy against Lord Damon! I must warn him!"

The sergeant halted, and looked about himself.

"The city lord is away, and Lady Bwynn is in charge now. If you want to meet Librian, you must go through her. Right?"

Awonso agreed, and he was not thrown off the wagon. The ride he had hitched was heading toward the castle, and he could see the city guard marching throughout the city. Maybe, he thought, the Paskos were going to attack the city again. Then he understood -- or thought he understood. Lord Damon was heading south; he was going after Darc and Sir Dohan first.