Read Online Phoenix Rising by Jason K. Lewis - Free Book Online Page B

to him that might lull the unwary into a false sense of security. Metrotis did not want to be the unwary.
    The man took a step towards him, eyes blank and emotionless but fixed on his own regardless.
    Metrotis waved a hand absently towards the low cot that stood against the wall. “Go, sit down Optuss.” His Uncle Martius had refused to share the man’s name and so Metrotis had taken to using the name of a long dead pet dog, with sleek black fur, that he had as a child.
    Optuss promptly turned and sat on the cot, returning his gaze to Metrotis’s face, his expression blank and seemingly uncomprehending.  
    A polite knock at the door interrupted Metrotis’s thoughts. People could be so rude sometimes; he wondered why they couldn’t leave him to think in peace.
    “Sorry to disturb you, Master Metrotis.” It was the ever-formal proctor, Villius. “The general has asked that we come and see our guest.”
    “Yes, yes!” Metrotis snapped. He had become quite territorial when it came to Optuss. “Who is ‘we’?”
    Villius stepped into the room followed by a man in the uniform of a cohort commander.  
    Metrotis prided himself on knowing the insignia of rank and the uniforms of the men in his uncle’s precious army.
    Metrotis said, “Well, what can I help you with?”
    The unknown man stood like a statue, eyes wide and fixed on Optuss.
    “The general wanted to know if Father Conlan remembered our guest,” Villius replied. His gaze drifted from the man called Conlan to Optuss and back again.
    “Father Conlan?” Metrotis frowned. He’s far too young to be a legion father . “But I think you must be mistaken, Villius… This man is wearing a cohort commander’s uniform. Really, I mean you should know being a proctor and –”
    The newcomer, Conlan, raised his hand towards him, palm outward in a gesture of silence. Metrotis made a mental note that the man really was exceptionally rude.
    “It’s a long story,” said Conlan.
    Villius gestured towards Optuss. “Well?”  
    Metrotis allowed his frown to deepen; he did not enjoy being ignored and enjoyed his ignorance even less. “What is this all about?” His voice sounded tense to his own ears.
    “I remember him. He was one of them. I am sure of it. He wore the image of a bear on his breastplate. We showed him to the general at Sothlind after he fell. I saw him kill at least a dozen of them in less than a minute. The gods only know how many he killed in the end.”
    The father, Conlan, looked apprehensive as he turned his gaze back to Optuss.
    “What is he doing here? I wondered what the general had done with him, but why keep him in his own house? You should have him restrained; you wouldn’t believe how fast they can move.”
    Metrotis puffed his chest out slightly, and stood to his full height. He was pleasantly surprised to see he was slightly taller than the imposing young legion father. “Optuss is under my care. I can assure you I have performed many tests and he does not represent a danger to anyone.” I wish I could truly believe that . “I arranged for him to be unchained myself and he is perfectly biddable. You see, his mind has been injured by the trauma of war.”
    Conlan laughed lightly. “If this is the same man I saw, and I am certain it is, he could kill you in a second.”
    “That may be so and time will tell,” Metrotis conceded, feeling the hairs on the back of his arms stand on end again. “But believe me, at the moment he is not capable of harm.” He turned to Optuss and waved a hand. “Lie down, Optuss.”
    He was delighted to see his subject obey without hesitation, gaze still firmly fixed on Metrotis.
    “It’s true, Father Conlan,” said Villius.
    Metrotis wondered to himself what it must be like for Villius to have to show such respect to one his own age.  
    “The man does exactly as he is told,” Villius continued. “He has developed some kind of bond with Master Metrotis here; he is biddable as a dog. I do not