Path of the Renegade: A dark progression fantasy series (Dark Ascension Book 2) by Layne Alexander

Author:Layne, Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alexander Layne Publishing
Published: 2024-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

15 - PLANS

Marak stood at the end of a table, around which all the major players of his renegade group sat in silent attendance. Estomir stood slightly behind Marak, half-concealed in shadow, a hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Amara sat to Marak’s right, her expression unreadable, except for the slight smirk playing across her lips, which could’ve meant anything. Her hair was done up in a bun, a thin, razor-sharp knife holding it in place. Marak made a note to talk to her soon in private. She, more than anyone else, was responsible for much of what had happened in the last month—yet he didn’t quite know what her angle was, what she wanted, and why she was with them.

Askala reclined in her seat, boots up on the table. She alone appeared ambivalent, or perhaps even slightly displeased, about Marak waking up. It wasn’t hard to guess why. She wanted, more than anything else, glory. She wanted to ascend in the eyes of her fellow warriors and return home as a venerated champion of the Green Star. Now that he was awake, she would have to share more of the glory, and would no longer be able to things her way.

Avakin, on the other hand, was all smiles, seemingly glad to have Marak back. When he’d first seen Marak just an hour or so ago, he’d dragged him into a bone-crushing embrace. He’d grown out his beard since Marak had last seen him, and his face bore new scars.

Then there was Ajan, who sat watchfully on the other side of the table, and didn’t seem particularly comfortable with the situation. The last month, Marak guessed, must’ve been hard for him. Deep down, he was still one of Calazar’s knights. He’d simply been reeled into a chaotic, insane situation through an unfortunate chain of events. Marak had kept him resolute, confident that all of this was temporary. After spending a month amongst the Ascendancy warriors on his own, he was no doubt feeling all sorts of dangerous things.

There were a few others around the table, mercenaries who had joined them, one of them a turn-coat soldier captain from the mine, along with several respected Ascendants who commanded their own warrior bands. Marak was introduced to all of them. He shook their hands and told them he was happy to have them aboard, all while wishing to simply hurry up and get along with the meeting.

Marak placed his palms against the stone table. Then he started to speak. “In this room is an unlikely combination of men and women. Calazar’s knights sitting next to Ascendancy priests. We are, I am not unashamed to say, a rag-tag group of people. We are renegades. Nearly a thousand strong and banded together because…why? Because of money. Because of glory.” He paused. “For now, that will have to do. I hope that one day, though, we can fight side by side for something else. Something greater.” He waved a hand. “But none of you want to hear about that right now.

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