Free Legon Awakening: Book One in the Legon Series by Nicholas Taylor

going to happen when you leave? I’ve
spent my whole life with you and I’m not sure what it will be like
when you’re gone.”
    “I’ll visit, you know. I’m going to try to go to a
town within a few weeks of here. But I suppose it won’t be like it
is now. I’m going to miss you, too.”
    That was a lie. In truth he wasn’t entirely sure how
he was going to live without her. It was like they were linked.
    “That can’t be all that’s on your mind Sash. What
else is bothering you?”
    She took her time answering him. “It’s your tattoo. I
noticed yesterday that it’s changed from that dark green to purple.
Why would it do that?” There was a hint of concern in her voice,
and even a bit of fear.
    “It’s what? Sash, tattoos don’t change color,” he
said confidently.
    “I know they don’t, but yours has… I saw it just last
night.” Now the concern was evident in her voice and face. “If it
has changed colors then that mean that it must be…”
    “Magic,” Legon finished. He felt his blood turn to
ice and his heart beat faster.
    Magic was rare in humans, which scared Legon, because
magic was treated with great fear and respect. Iumenta and Elves
could use it, but he didn’t know of any Elves in their area.
    “Do you think it was put there by an Iumenta?” he
asked Sasha quietly.
    “I don’t know. I hope not, but it may not be much
better if it was put there by an Elf. The queen hates them. And if
it was a human, then who knows what it means.”
    They walked silently, neither wanting to talk about
Legon’s tattoo. They opened the distance between them and the town
and soon they couldn’t hear the town at all. The only sound was
that of two sets of feet stepping on the soft ground. The town was
surrounded by farms and fields, all green with spring’s life. The
sun was almost below the mountain’s high peaks, and sat above them
like a crown of gold and fire. They both felt themselves relaxing
as the air started to grow cool. Legon looked over at Sasha. Her
face seemed to glow in the orange light and the last shafts of the
sun’s rays danced in her hair. She still looked a bit worried; he
could see it in her eyes. He could tell that there was more she
wasn’t telling him.
    Sasha broke the silence. Her voice was
conversational. “So, have you given any thought to where you are
going to go when you leave?”
    He took his time answering. “Yeah, I’m thinking
Salkay. It’s just a bit south of here. The town is growing and they
don’t have a butcher. Also, they’re still under Regent Kooth’s
control, so it should make it simpler.”
    “Hmmm. Salkay, huh? That’s only about four days from
here, isn’t it?”
    “Yep, that’s the idea. I want to be close, and Salkay
is about as good as I’m going to get.”
    Sasha looked like she was thinking. “But it’s still a
small town. You won’t make a huge amount of money, or at least not
enough to start a family. Speaking of which, do you think you will
be able to find a wife there? Wouldn’t Salez be better?”
    Legon stumbled over his words a bit. “Well, Salez is
a big city, and as far as Salkay goes, I will make a decent amount
of money. I’m not worried about it.”
    Sasha didn’t pursue the subject any more. They got
home just after dark. When they got in Edis greeted them. “Your
mother had to go. Arkin cut himself or something like that.” He saw
worry instantly cross Legon and Sasha’s faces. “Oh, it’s nothing
bad, he’s fine. I think he got a small cut today. He didn’t even
want her to come over, but you know your mother.”
    Sasha gave a deep sigh and said, “We know her.” She
looked around the kitchen. Something was off. “ There’s no smell
of food cooking. She must not have made dinner,” she thought.
Edis was smiling politely at her, that kind of smile you give to
your daughter to tell her she’s the most wonderful thing in the
world or…
    “Sash, dinner!” Legon said in a commanding voice and
snapped