Master of the Flying Broom by Joseph J Bailey

Author:Joseph J Bailey [Bailey, Joseph J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joseph J. Bailey
Published: 2020-03-16T22:00:00+00:00

65

Chosen

Kites fly through the air

Dancing on hidden breezes.

Dreams yet to come true.

Kensaro’s fears, like most apprehensions, disappeared in the steady light of examination.

Korosuki was not overwhelming or foreign.

It was just different.

And it was amazing.

Beginning their descent to the village, Kensaro’s eyes soaked in every detail.

The shimmering imperial road ahead led past farmhouses draped in dancing tapestries that shone with the stories of heroes long past and those rising in the present, of tales imagined and real.

People managed their fields and farms with orchestral symphony, calling forth riches from the ground with magic and craft that would take entire kingdoms to realize without the aid of enchantment.

The air was alive with movement both magical and mundane.

The land and people on it were filled with abundance.

While this prosperity might not translate into spiritual abundance, the residents of Korosuki certainly seemed happy.

They were well-fed, occupied, entertained, and lived in a beautiful place surrounded by a supportive community.

From afar, there was little that Kensaro could see that was amiss....

“Halt! State your names and business.”

At least until a cadre of imposing warriors dressed in lacquered imperial armor materialized out of thin air with weapons drawn.

Armed and armored from head to toe, seated atop equally fearsome mounts, these warriors were every bit as intimidating as demons.

And they did not appear much more welcoming.

Jagged horns sprang from helmets, wicked curved teeth sprouted from face masks, serrated spikes protruded from heavy shoulders, wicked insignia and designs covered their shining arcane armor, and power flowed from their enchanted weapons.

These could only be Imperial Chosen.

And they were doing anything but rolling out the welcome tatami.

Master Lun stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“We are travelers from Narama seeking trade in Korosuki and Iekura,” offered Master Lun, keeping his head down and gaze averted.

The foremost rider, a wiry man whose every motion spoke of grace and facility of movement, ordered firmly, “Hold your position while we determine the veracity of your words and the nature of your intent. If you move, try to flee, or offer resistance, you will face imperial justice.”

The outside world was strange indeed.

And no more welcoming than the demon with her terrible basket.

Kensaro stood in place.

A rush of energy flowed over them as the leader made a curt gesture with his hands.

Kensaro tingled from his head to his toes as a rush of power ran not only over his skin but through him.

Some moments passed before the leader deigned to speak.

“Your words ring true but there is more to your story.

“We would hear it.”

Master Lun bowed again, executing a graceful deepening of his earlier bow. “We were beset by a demon on the road from Narama just over the ridge. We managed to slay it but it appears to have taken others before us.”

The leader turned to two of the riders on his left and barked, “Jinjo, Oruski, go see the truth of these words!”

“But, sir, our orders...” began the one Kensaro guessed was Jinjo.

“Your orders are to do as I say, and I say go!”

Both riders bowed and disappeared.

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