Legacy

Chapter 14 - The Coming Storm

The night was cold and moonless in the small stale smelling storeroom. The prince slept lost in some carefree dream as Kane sat staring at a point beyond the wall. The old tricks and techniques that had been hammered into him were doing little to lessen the disquiet he felt. He'd spent several hours trying to enter a healing trance to try force life back into his arm to no avail. It still had feeling but there was not movement without pain and even that was clumsy at best.

The events of the day weighed heavily on him. The people were scared, in part of Praxis but the Black Prince was seen by many as a demon stalking the land. He'd always known deep down that there would be unexpected challenges but he believed that people would see the prince in hiding as a symbol of hope, a legacy from the golden age of the empire – of how things could be again someday.

The silence was shattered by the sound of commotion coming from above. At least twenty armed men had stormed into the brewery, their heavy boots thundering above as they yelled commands at the workers in voices used to being obeyed.

Heavy boots echoed on the stairs leading to the cellar. They started breaking up boxes and searching barrels and casks. Kane held a muffled hand to the prince to keep him silent. The searching guards were leaving no space unturned. From the racket they were making, it was clear this was no casual search.

The hunt lasted several hours and there were several times where the guards were a little too close for comfort. Kane held his breath the tension in his bones telling him that the hunters were little more than a thick wall away. But they left empty handed.

More than once he'd heard angry protests from Jonas. It was clear they'd roused him and his family during the night and were probably searching his home with the same heavy handedness that they had used on his business.

There was no more sleep that night and by the early greyness of dawn when the passage was once again opened, Kane cautiously ventured out. The cellar and the rest of the brewery were in shambles. Crates had been broken open, and barrels upturned. Anything that looked like it might have concealed a hiding place had been checked and searched. The forlorn and weary faces of the workers told a story; of a long night of questioning and harassment, of shattered dreams and disappointment as hard work and effort now stained the brewery floor. With reluctance and cajoling from Jonas they were slowly trying to salvage what they could.

"Another new emergency proclamation from Demus Thira," Jonas said spitting on the ground.

"She's given the guards authorization to search potential dissident strongholds and the homes of anyone suspected of harbouring refugees. They really did a number on this place. We've lost an entire seasons work. They also raided a number of other community leaders last night."

"I take it she objected to the petition." Kane stated flatly.

"Oh aye, you could say that. She was spitting venom and blood at our gall. This is her response. It's not the official reason, of course. Supposedly this is retaliation for two guards found hacked to death last night."

"There's been a murder?"

"That's what it looks like. They were found floating in the harbour. Demus is blaming the refugees, dissidents, and even street performers. But nerves are strained and everyone's on edge now. That was the last straw – things are going to only get uglier from now on. Mark my words, Demus is as crazy as they come these days."

"Do you think they'll be back?"

"They didn't find anything last night so who knows? It's only a matter of time before she makes her next move."