Equilibrium: Episode 5
Page 9
Varren halted his attack, his mouth a thin line, his eyes white with rage. “You have fought bravely but you have not escaped your fate,” he cried. “You think that sword of yours is a barrier, but I can still strike you down!”
“Why don’t we settle this one on one, Varren? We’ll see how confident you are without all your men behind you! Or are you afraid to lose?”
Varren shook his head and laughed.
Rasmus grasped Tiderius’s arm just as a large black shadow moved across the star-covered sky. They had no time to react, scarcely time to register that it was there at all, before, with a thunderous flapping of its wings, a huge eagle swept down upon them out of the night. Its eyes were flickering pools of yellow fire as it stretched out its lethal talons. The Ayon soldiers staggered back, tripping over each other to escape it, but there was nowhere for Rasmus or Tiderius to run. They fell directly under the lunging talons of the beast. Rasmus heard his brother shout in terror but the sound was drowned by the screech that issued from the eagle’s beak. He and Tiderius were grasped around their waists and lifted into the air. Rasmus struggled against the grip of the beast, hacking at its ankle with his sword but it would not let go. The eagle rose above the castle and flew into the darkness. Rasmus could see the city far below, the streets he had walked so often, and his head felt light.
Their flight was not a long one. The creature swept over the open rooftop of a building in the lower city and circled twice before descending, its great wings beating loudly. A few feet from the rooftop, it opened its talons and the brothers dropped onto the ash-covered tiles. Rasmus was quick to scramble back to his feet, pulling at Tiderius’s arm, dragging him away from the descending beast. The two staggered to the edge of the roof, staring up in amazement, their hair and clothes billowing furiously as the eagle beat its wings one final time before landing. Rasmus glanced at the door to the building’s lower floors and wondered whether they would be able to reach it before the eagle lunged for them.
“Vrór,” Rasmus heard Tiderius mutter at his side. “I’ve never seen a more fearsome beast.”
“But I don’t see him.”
“He doesn’t need to be with the creature to command it.”
“But wouldn’t Vrór have just dropped us from the air?”
“He likes to play with his prey before delivering them to the Spirits. I wouldn’t be surprised if – ”
The eagle disintegrated into a cloud of green sparks, making Rasmus nearly jump out of his skin. The glowing particles of light formed into a stream and then glided through the air to the tip of a staff.
“I believe,” said the figure holding the weapon, “I have repaid my debt to you, Rasmus.”
“Angora!” Rasmus exclaimed.
“Impossible!” Tiderius cried.
“Not entirely,” Angora said, lowering the staff. “I told you I would come back if the castle fell, did I not, Rasmus?”
“Oh, that you did!” he cried, darting across the roof and wrapping his arms around her. “That you did!”
Angora squeezed him briefly and drew away. “And did the queen leave?”
“Eventually, but not a moment too soon,” Tiderius said.
“Kayte and I discovered Aiyla and a group of castle servants who were attacked by Tarvenna in the Gardens District. Aiyla was the only survivor. Kayte took her to Milena for treatment. She should be all right. I expect we are the only mages left to guard the people.”
“So it would seem. But I’m so glad to see you’re all right!” Tiderius pulled her into a tight embrace.
“The lower city has been pacified,” she said, pushing him away gently. “There are not many pockets of resistance to be found. The people are giving in.”
“No…” Rasmus breathed, running his hands through his hair.
“I am afraid there is nothing we can do.”
“At least for now,” Tiderius said.
“For now?” Rasmus asked, looking at him incredulously. “You think things will get better in a few days? The city has fallen!”
“I know that full well, but listen. Despite that and despite the fact that we have very few men at our disposal, many of whom will be disheartened or wounded, what if we could slowly regain control of the city? Would you be willing to try?”
“Of course I would!” Rasmus exclaimed. “But what – ”
“We cannot stay here,” Angora said quickly, glancing into the air. “If the people have given in, Vrór will have no sport and Varren will rein him in. We must find a place to lie low until Aiyla can contact us with orders from the queen or General Kaster. Until then, we cannot let the Ayons know we are here.”
“Hide like cowards?” Rasmus asked bitterly.
“Only to ensure we are alive when the time is right. We will not be hiding because we are afraid, but because we can better attack from the shadows,” Angora said, putting her hand momentarily on his shoulder. “Come on.”
ABOUT EQUILIBRIUM: EPISODE 6
When all seems lost for Ronnesia, a small but fearless band of rebels arises.
The Ayons have been victorious. Queen Sorcha has fled Te'Roek, leaving the city under the occupation of the Ayons, led by the new consul Lord General Archis Varren.
But not all the citizens have bent the knee. A fragile resistance—led by Angora, Tiderius, and Rasmus—tirelessly tries to keep the citizens loyal to Queen Sorcha. However, even their combined power cannot stand up to the might of the new consul. Forced to look elsewhere for allies, their gaze falls upon infamous assassin Zoran Sable and his deadly arts. Even so, will it be enough to liberate the city?
At the end of an age, the ancient equilibrium threatens to fracture and break forever.
For more information, please visit momentumbooks.com.au/books/equilibrium-episode-6/
ABOUT CS SEALEY
Carmel Sealey was born in Sydney, Australia, and has a great passion for fantasy. Her brother first inspired her to write at a very young age and she has continued to do so with gusto. The first seed of Equilibrium began to sprout at the age of 15 and the story has been rewritten, reworked, abused, edited, rewritten again, expanded, cut, stitched back together and polished in the dozen years since. Enjoy!
First published by Momentum in 2015
This edition published in 2015 by Momentum
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Copyright © CS Sealey 2015
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A CIP record for this book is available at the National Library of Australia
Equilibrium: Episode 5
EPUB format: 9781760300661
Mobi format: 9781760300678
Cover design by Raewyn Brack
Edited by Kylie Mason
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