Legacy of Light by Matthew Ward

Author:Matthew Ward [WARD, MATTHEW]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2021-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

Voices faded from the passageway. The sound of boots on the stairs soon after confirming that Jaridav’s watch had ended, and Brass’ had begun. Altiris let another hour while away, and wits to wander. Pulling coat and bundled haversack from beneath the bed, he opened the drapes.

The ailing moon watched over empty gardens three storeys below. Slowly, nerves jangling at the slightest creak, he eased open the window.

Warm air rushed into the cold night. Skin rose to gooseflesh. Between drainpipes and ivy, the climb would be simple enough. And he’d have to make the climb. For all of Lord Trelan’s cleverness – Altiris couldn’t yet imagine calling him Josiri, even in the privacy of his own head – there was no guarantee of escaping jail, or even the noose. Mutiny seldom invited leniency. Lord Trelan would fight for him, of course. But was there really any hope?

Especially if Kasvin were correct about Lord Droshna.

It was the simplest arithmetic. If Kasvin were wrong, then fleeing into the night would have few lasting repercussions. Were she right, then obeying Lord Trelan’s wishes would, at best, cause all manner of distractions in a household that could little afford them. At worst, it would subject Lord Trelan to accusations of shielding a traitor.

And yet something held Altiris back. Urged him to close the window and wait to see what came with the morning. Stonecrest was home. Indeed, it was the only real home he’d known. Leave it now, and he might never return. Czaron or Trelan, he’d be a fugitive.

No. It was Sidara that held him back. The longing to see her, to explain… and to apologise most of all. What if she never returned from the east, or did so to find him hanged? Maybe Lord Trelan was right. Words left unsaid were the hardest burden.

Set against that was the fear that earning Sidara’s forgiveness was now impossible. That even if she consented to see him, words exchanged would only worsen matters. If they fell to quarrelling, he’d have nothing but the bitterest of memories to sustain him. This way, at least, there was a chance at reconciliation. Better to have hope.

Before he could change his mind, he clambered out of the window.

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