10
Cal finished tracing the symbol before setting the brush on the bench, leaving small white splotches where the paint from the brush splattered.
He eyed the symbol and nodded. “I need you to hold him and do your best to comfort him.”
Lyra glanced at Gilo and noticed his tail folded between his legs, the whites of his eyes showing.
“That’s just paint, right? It won’t hurt him?”
Cal shook his head. “No. Of course not. The paint should wear off in a few days. However, I’m hoping the effect will last far longer.”
“The effect of what, exactly?”
He shrugged. “The magic, of course.”
Lyra rolled her eyes. “Of course. It’s always the magic.”
Rather than respond, he just grinned.
Releasing a sigh, she shook her head and knelt beside Gilo. The dog turned her direction, forcing her to tilt her head back to avoid his long tongue. She wrapped her arms about the dog and began to pet him, crooning softly to ease his anxiety.
Cal closed his eyes and breathed in, his breaths growing more rapid. His eyes flashed open, and Lyra started when she saw red sparks leaping within them. A crimson glow arose from within the symbol painted on the dog’s back. Cal bent and put his hand on Gilo, his eyes appearing normal again before he closed them.
Gilo stiffened and yelped. The yelping grew more intense, sounding like the dog was in immense pain. Lyra felt Gilo’s chest expanding, and she feared that he might explode. In fits and spurts, the dog grew taller, yelping the entire time. She fell backward to the ground and stared in a mixture of horror and wonder as the dog’s size expanded. Cal kept his eyes closed the entire time, his hand never leaving the dog. The dogs growth slowed, and his yelping quieted to a whimper.
As suddenly as it began, the dog stopped growing and fell silent other than panting.
Lyra was stunned as she attempted to rationalize what she had witnessed. Moments ago, the top of Gilo’s head barely came to her waist. Now, the dog stood nearly as tall as Cal and easily weighed four hundred pounds.
Her focus shifted to Cal, who had a pained look on his face.
“Sorry, boy,” Cal whispered as he pet his dog. “They’re pushing me for results, and I had to start somewhere. When they meet you, I expect they will be suitably impressed.”
* * *
Lyra released a sigh of relief when Cal finally exited the shop. The crowd who had gathered around her and Gilo made her feel self-conscious, even though their focus remained on the giant dog.
“All done here,” Cal said as he walked past her.
Gilo followed Cal with Lyra squeezing the rope and praying to Yanetta that he would not decide to bolt. Thus far, the dog appeared oblivious to the disturbance he had caused since arriving in Sol Polis.
When they reached the open square at the city center, Cal stopped and stared into the afternoon sky.
“What is it?” Lyra asked.
“The planet. We can see it during daylight now.”
Lyra’s gaze followed where he pointed and found a milky globe hovering in the hazy blue heavens. She squinted at the object, white with gray swirls. A puffy white cloud drifted past, obscuring it from view.
“A planet? I don’t recall any planet being that close. I thought they looked like stars.”
Cal nodded. “They all did until this one appeared a few months back.”
“What does it mean? Are we in danger?”
He shrugged. “I have no idea. Come on. We have more pressing issues.”
He led her toward the Citadel. The two guards stationed at the gate drew their weapons and stepped back but did nothing to stop Cal when he walked past and entered the complex with Lyra and Gilo close behind.
Within the walls, Lyra found an expansive plaza occupied by well-trimmed shrubs and bronze statues that gleamed in the morning sun. Cal ignored it all and walked toward the massive building at the center, leading them up a set of stairs that divided massive alabaster columns supporting the stone arches above the entrance.
Cal led them through an open doorway and past another set of guards. With fear in their eyes, the two men drew weapons and backed away as Gilo and Lyra passed them. The building interior contained a massive hall with a running fountain in the center, and the sound of the bubbling water echoed in the open space.
Without pause, Cal crossed the hall as Lyra looked about in wonder, drinking in the architecture and the tapestries adorning the walls between each wooden door. As Cal approached the far end of the room, one of the two guards posted at the double doors held his palm out to stop him. The man had short-cropped dark hair and a trimmed goatee, appearing the senior of the two guards. Even as the man spoke, his nervous eyes remained on Gilo.
“You can’t interrupt them right now, sir.”
Cal frowned at Gilo. “I think they’re going to want to see this.”
The guard’s gaze moved from Cal to Gilo and back again. “Well…they are in the middle of a discussion. You’re going to have to wait.”
Cal glared at the man, shedding his normal friendly demeanor. “I will see them. Now.”
Although the man facing him stood a half-head taller and out-weighed Cal by a hundred pounds, his eyes reflected fear. He glanced at the other guard, who continued staring at Gilo. Finding no support from his companion, the guard turned back to Cal.
“Well…please give me a moment, sir.”
The man slipped inside the doorway, and Cal turned to wink at Lyra, the hint of a smile showing.
The guard returned and held the door open as he waved them inside.
Although Lyra had never seen Queen Iglesia’s throne room in Vingarri, she had listened in rapt attention when father described it to her. The room she now entered was similar to the image she had formed in her mind.
Colored light streamed through the stained-glass windows that surrounded the room, illuminating an open space with high arches supporting a ceiling four stories above. Rows and rows of benches lined both sides of the room, split by a long stretch of red carpet down the center aisle.
Cal led them down the carpeted path, straight toward the half-circle of thirteen thrones that stood atop the dais at the head of the room. Men occupied each throne, some appearing angry, while others leaned forward in curiosity. Mutters of surprise spread through the group as they stared at Gilo.
Stopping just a few feet before the dais, Cal nodded to the young man who stood beside him. The man wore a black cloak and had long dark hair tied in a tail behind his head. He appeared to match Cal in age, but displayed a stern demeanor, in contrast to Cal’s relaxed manner.
Cal nodded toward the man, “Hello, Elias.”
The man grimaced. “Hello, Cal.”
Lyra settled just behind Cal. She gave the rope a hard tug and Gilo stopped and sat beside her, his head even with hers. Elias shifted his gaze from Cal to Lyra, his eyes widening when he spotted Gilo. The man took a step backward as he bit his lip. Lyra’s gaze flicked to Cal and found him watching Elias with a smile on his face.
“Thank you, Elias,” Cal said with a nod.
Elias’ brow furrowed. “Thank you? For what?”
Cal laughed, “You’ll see.”
“I assume your rude interruption relates to the oversized dog you brought with you.”
Cal turned toward the man who occupied the center throne, a man with graying black hair, a short beard, and intense eyes. Like Elias, he appeared quite austere. Like Elias, he wore a black cloak. Unlike Elias, he was far older than Cal.
“Yes, Archon. I have new discoveries to share, findings I believe the Council will find quite compelling.”
“Very well.” The archon nodded. “Please present your discoveries so we may finish our discussion with Grand Master Firellus.”
Cal glanced toward Elias as he bowed before the dais. “As suggested by certain members of the Council, I have accelerated my work. I’m here to show you that,” Cal held his arm toward Gilo, who was
watching every move. “The results are quite astounding.”
“Three days ago, I Infused my dog with an augmentation that enlarged him to twice his height and four times his former mass.” Cal nodded. “Yes, I said three days ago. I expect the effect to be permanent.”
The men in the thrones exchanged glances, many of them nodding as Cal continued speaking.
“I used the same technique I described with my last report, a technique I then taught to Elias, as you requested.”
Elias frowned, but remained silent.
The Archon tilted his head, examining the dog. “The dog appears…normal. That is, except for its massive size.”
Cal turned toward Gilo and nodded. “Yes, thus far. However, I highly suggest we give it more time. In addition, I require additional test subjects to ensure the results are consistent.”
Another man from among the thrones spoke. “We tire of your conservative approach. The Council appreciates the work you do, but you continually express caution and create excuses to move slowly.” The man leaned forward, squeezing his hand into a fist held before his pinched face. “The iron is hot. It is time for action. We cannot sit back and allow this opportunity to pass.”
“Your position is well known, Victor,” the Archon said. “However, the decision is up to Council vote, not individual opinion.”
An uncomfortable silence fell upon the room as Victor glared at the Archon. Cal spoke again, interrupting the moment.
“I have another discovery to reveal, one that equals or surpasses the first.”
The Archon nodded. “Go on.”
Cal smiled. “I am now able to read emotions.”
The men looked to one another, appearing confused as the Archon spoke again.
“What do you mean?”
“I discovered something new, another method of augmentation. Allow me to demonstrate…”
Without waiting for a response, Cal pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. He knelt, setting the paper on the floor as he feverishly sketched a symbol with a piece of coal. While he traced the rune, Elias stepped closer and watched intently.
After pocketing the coal, Cal closed his eyes and began breathing deep breaths, growing increasingly more rapid. He opened his eyes and red sparks danced within them as he stared at the paper. With the paper held up, it was easy to see the symbol he had drawn, glowing bright red and pulsing before fading.
An intense sense of terror came over Lyra as she stared at the symbol, so intense that she was unable to move. Locked in that state, she prayed for death, for anything that might take the fear away. The world was a place of unspeakable horror, and death was her only escape.
Cal lowered the paper and covered it with his cloak. The fear vanished, and Lyra found herself gasping for air, realizing she had been too scared to breathe. The other men in the room were gasping as well, many with tears in their eyes. Lyra noticed that Elias’ pants were wet in the crotch and down one leg.
“Sorry about that.” Cal grinned. “Especially for you, Elias.”
“What…was that?” the Archon demanded.
“As I explained, I can now read emotions, which offers a new array of possible methods to use our magic. What you just experienced was fear. Conjured fear.” Cal shrugged. “It is but one example of many. This particular one was made possible courtesy of Elias, from the fear he exuded when he first saw my dog.”
Cal stepped backward and scratched Gilo behind the ears, unable to avoid the dog’s giant tongue when it lashed out and swept across his cheek. As he sputtered and wiped his face with his sleeve, Cal turned toward the dais, toward the man seated in the center throne.
“Very good,” the Archon nodded. “Very good, indeed.” He turned toward Elias. “What say you, Master Firellus? Can you foresee how the Ministry might benefit from this revelation?”
Elias glared at Cal, his expression softening, the anger on his face replaced by a smirk. “I can indeed, Sir.”
The Archon sat back in his chair, smiling with fingers tented before his mouth as he addressed Cal.
“You appear to be progressing quite well. Please press forward and find what more you can discover. We will soon take action.”
11
“Come on,” Lyra crooned. “It’s okay.”
The scruffy stray pulled on the rope, clawing and scrambling backward across the newly installed courtyard tiles, attempting to tow Lyra as well. Some of the dogs she had gathered were easier than others. This one fell into the latter camp. After a brief struggle, Lyra sighed and peered across the yard to confirm the gate was latched shut.
“Fine. You win.”
She pulled herself toward the dog, working her hands down the length of the leash and loosening the knot before sliding the loop off the dog’s head. As soon as he was free, the dog darted across the yard, slowing to sniff here and there. Another dog lying in the shade at the far end of the yard sat up, taking notice. The massive dog climbed to his feet as three others did the same, all four running toward the newcomer. Dwarfed in size by the approaching magic-infused dogs, the new stray scurried away and ran past Lyra, into the courtyard and up to the closed door. He danced about, shifting this way and that, frantic to enter the safety of the building.
“Sure,” Lyra grumbled as she scrambled to open the door. “Now, you want to come in.”
The moment the door opened, the dog shot inside and Lyra followed, turning to find the four pursuing dogs barreling into the courtyard, the narrow doorway forcing them to enter in single file. She hurriedly closed the door before Balbo’s huge nose squeezed into the gap.
Lyra turned to find the new stray backed into a corner, the whites of his eyes showing as Gilo and Striah loomed over him. Gilo’s brindle coat had darkened and was now completely black. Likewise, Striah’s coat was growing darker, likely a side effect of the magic.
The two massive dogs nudged the normal-sized dog with their noses as they tried to sniff him, pushing the poor thing around the room as if he weighed nothing. Lyra frowned when she noticed the wet spot beneath the new dog. With a sigh, she headed toward the kitchen to get a rag.
As she entered the kitchen, Cal emerged from the hallway.
“You’re back from the city,” he noted.
“You’re amazing,” she replied. “Did you use magic to determine that?”
Cal chuckled. “Not this time.” His attention shifted to the dogs in the neighboring room. “You found another one.”
Lyra dunked the rag into a bucket of water and began to wring it out. “Yes. I almost had two of them, but one got away. This one is skittish and was hard enough to leash on his own.”
She crossed into the other room and pushed Gilo aside, barely able to move the dog. “Go on, Gilo. Give him some space.” She swatted Striah to get her attention. “You too. Leave him be.”
The two oversized dogs retreated as she bent to clean the urine. The small dog panted nervously, his eyes bulging as they followed the departing dogs.
Cal walked past and sat on the couch. “If you can get a few more for me, I think we’ll have a meaningful sample size. Twelve would be ideal, but ten dogs will do.”
Lyra finished cleaning the floor and gave the dog a friendly pat. “Skittle. I think I’ll call him Skittle.”
Cal didn’t say anything. He didn’t seem to care what they were called and allowed Lyra to name all except Gilo.
Lyra stood and turned toward Cal. “It’s been two months now. You agreed I could leave after three. You’ll still honor that, right?”
“What?” Cal asked, his mind clearly elsewhere. “Um…Yes. Of course. One more month, and you’re free to leave.”
At that moment, Striah climbed on the sofa and laid down with her upper body on Cal’s lap.
“Oof!” Cal coughed and gasped for air under the weight of the massive dog.
Lyra burst out laughing at the sight of a dog larger than Cal attempting to sit on his lap. Somehow, amidst the laughter, Lyra was able to squeeze out a
sentence.
“She still thinks she’s a lapdog.”
Rather than help Cal, Lyra laughed harder when he tried to escape Striah’s oversized tongue. Pinned against the sofa, he could do little to prevent the dog from affectionately slobbering across his entire face.
* * *
Lyra opened the gate as quietly as possible and peered inside for signs of movement. Finding nothing between her and the courtyard but long grass, she opened the gate fully and stepped inside, careful not to snag her overloaded floating pack on the gate latch. She pushed the door shut and the latch clicked. The sound made her wince, and she turned toward the canines who slept in the shade cast by the shed.
Numerous heads rose up to turn her way. With a yelp, she ran as ten massive dogs scrambled to their feet and hurried to follow.
Lyra darted into the courtyard and slowed as she reached the door. She opened it and jumped through, pulling it behind her as the dogs came flooding into the courtyard.
A loud thump sounded as the weight of a dog hit the door. Dogs barked beyond the wooden barrier, some snarling as they fought each other. Lyra rested her head against the door and closed her eyes until the ruckus outside grew quiet.
“Did you get everything?”
She turned to find Cal leaning against the kitchen entry with his arms and legs crossed.
Lyra nodded. “Yes. Some for us, but most is for them.”
“They’re big dogs and they eat a lot. “ Cal grinned. “It takes a big dog to weigh a ton.”
“What?”
He shrugged, still smiling. “It’s just something my father used to say. I always thought it was funny.”
Lyra shook her head and slid one arm from the pack, followed by the other. “Well, with the way they eat, it looks like I’ll have to travel to the city two or three times a week now.” She handed the pack to Cal. “I also picked up your item from the artisan on Meldy Street. I put it near the top, wrapped in the black cloth.”
His face lit up. “Wonderful.”
Cal carried the pack to the table, set it down, and began pulling items out. He removed the item wrapped in black cloth, easing it from the loaded pack. His eyes flicked toward Lyra and he bit his lip. Finally, he nodded and began to unravel the cloth.
Rogue Legacy: Part I Page 7