Read Online Zotikas: Episode 1: Clash of Heirs by Rob Storey, Tom Bruno - Free Book Online
Authors: Rob Storey, Tom Bruno
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shorter than Kieler, and his ears and nose were larger than normal.
Though Kieler had never seen him before, the man’s jet-black hair obliquely
reminded Kieler of Movus.
Kieler stroked his fake beard and considered. This was
inconvenient. He had to lose this guy before he changed his identity. Then he
could pursue his goal on the higher levels of the city without unwanted
company.
Striding over to the tram going the opposite
direction, Kieler pretended to be unphased. But the cards were on the table,
and right now the black-haired man had the better hand. Again Kieler thought
this would have been entertaining if the stakes were not desperately high. He
would not get a chance like this until the next New Year. No, he thought again,
the opportunity wouldn’t even be there next year.
Kieler and Movus had painstakingly prepared the ruling
houses for his arrival by implanting false credentials with key people. The
rumors were peaked; the stage was set. This was his only shot.
Chapter
Five
Velirith stood at a bay window in the top floor
apartment of Vel-Taradan and looked out over Plaza Floreneva. The triangular
central plaza reminded her of the Theater Tri back home in Velakun. There were
many differences, but both plazas were the center of social activity in their
respective cities.
Plaza Floreneva was surrounded by three tiers of
arched colonnades which provided covered walkways to the myriad of shops and
cafés surrounding the plaza. Many of these were closed now, victims of the
various monopolies enforced by the trade houses.
In each corner of the triangular plaza stood a
magnificent structure with layered accents of a style that was both dramatic
and suggestive of indulgence beyond mere functionality. The Arena, the
cathedral and the Oraflora Theater; all were built to bring people together.
She noticed, not for the first time, her inward revulsion and intentional
ignoring of the Arena.
She forced her gaze east, up the Stair to the left,
and sighed a small sigh as she looked upon the claw-like spires that pierced
Garrist Ring and supported the Executive Chair’s overdone palace.
That palace was her destination this evening. That her
habiliments not only made a subtle statement of confidence but were practical
as well, placed her in the position of being ready early, allowing her this
time for reflection. She felt a strange mix of nervousness, peace and
excitement in the unhurried interval before heading up the Stair to the Gala.
As majestic as the view was, she closed her eyes and
shut it out. She needed some introspection before facing the people she would
face tonight and doing the things she would do.
Concentrating, she pictured herself, dressed as she
was for the New Year’s Eve Gala. Velirith had prepared for this evening’s party
in a very different way than just the primp, preen, and pomp of most of the
“noble” ladies. Certainly she had dressed well, wearing the silver-lined, deep
blue of House Vel. In an unusual twist of creativity, she had chosen a very
feminine adaptation of Vel’s traditionally male dress uniform. The long coat
preserved some of the flow of a dress, emphasizing her form nicely, but pants
gave her more freedom of movement. She wore her dark hair a bit short, curving
around to frame her oval face.
I look good, she decided internally, smiling to herself. It was an unselfconscious,
non-arrogant assessment. She had, she thought, a more handsome than delicate
beauty. And she was happy with that.
She focused further, imagining looking into her own
reflective, silver eyes. She noted the smile that played around the edges. She
took measure of what she saw; humor, judgment… mischief.
I don’t like the judgment, she concluded, resolving that was something she could
change. But I like the mischief. And she grinned a beautiful smile of
straight white teeth.
Mischief. Usually
Velirith despised these parties, but she had to admit, she was more excited
about tonight’s New Year’s
Though Kieler had never seen him before, the man’s jet-black hair obliquely
reminded Kieler of Movus.
Kieler stroked his fake beard and considered. This was
inconvenient. He had to lose this guy before he changed his identity. Then he
could pursue his goal on the higher levels of the city without unwanted
company.
Striding over to the tram going the opposite
direction, Kieler pretended to be unphased. But the cards were on the table,
and right now the black-haired man had the better hand. Again Kieler thought
this would have been entertaining if the stakes were not desperately high. He
would not get a chance like this until the next New Year. No, he thought again,
the opportunity wouldn’t even be there next year.
Kieler and Movus had painstakingly prepared the ruling
houses for his arrival by implanting false credentials with key people. The
rumors were peaked; the stage was set. This was his only shot.
Chapter
Five
Velirith stood at a bay window in the top floor
apartment of Vel-Taradan and looked out over Plaza Floreneva. The triangular
central plaza reminded her of the Theater Tri back home in Velakun. There were
many differences, but both plazas were the center of social activity in their
respective cities.
Plaza Floreneva was surrounded by three tiers of
arched colonnades which provided covered walkways to the myriad of shops and
cafés surrounding the plaza. Many of these were closed now, victims of the
various monopolies enforced by the trade houses.
In each corner of the triangular plaza stood a
magnificent structure with layered accents of a style that was both dramatic
and suggestive of indulgence beyond mere functionality. The Arena, the
cathedral and the Oraflora Theater; all were built to bring people together.
She noticed, not for the first time, her inward revulsion and intentional
ignoring of the Arena.
She forced her gaze east, up the Stair to the left,
and sighed a small sigh as she looked upon the claw-like spires that pierced
Garrist Ring and supported the Executive Chair’s overdone palace.
That palace was her destination this evening. That her
habiliments not only made a subtle statement of confidence but were practical
as well, placed her in the position of being ready early, allowing her this
time for reflection. She felt a strange mix of nervousness, peace and
excitement in the unhurried interval before heading up the Stair to the Gala.
As majestic as the view was, she closed her eyes and
shut it out. She needed some introspection before facing the people she would
face tonight and doing the things she would do.
Concentrating, she pictured herself, dressed as she
was for the New Year’s Eve Gala. Velirith had prepared for this evening’s party
in a very different way than just the primp, preen, and pomp of most of the
“noble” ladies. Certainly she had dressed well, wearing the silver-lined, deep
blue of House Vel. In an unusual twist of creativity, she had chosen a very
feminine adaptation of Vel’s traditionally male dress uniform. The long coat
preserved some of the flow of a dress, emphasizing her form nicely, but pants
gave her more freedom of movement. She wore her dark hair a bit short, curving
around to frame her oval face.
I look good, she decided internally, smiling to herself. It was an unselfconscious,
non-arrogant assessment. She had, she thought, a more handsome than delicate
beauty. And she was happy with that.
She focused further, imagining looking into her own
reflective, silver eyes. She noted the smile that played around the edges. She
took measure of what she saw; humor, judgment… mischief.
I don’t like the judgment, she concluded, resolving that was something she could
change. But I like the mischief. And she grinned a beautiful smile of
straight white teeth.
Mischief. Usually
Velirith despised these parties, but she had to admit, she was more excited
about tonight’s New Year’s
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