The Great Bear: The Adarna chronicles - Book 3 by Jason K. Lewis

Author:Jason K. Lewis
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Oldhaven publishing
Published: 2014-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Metrotis

METROTIS WAS GLAD TO be at the villa. Nowhere else in the world made him feel so relaxed. The Felix family seat for virtually the entire history of the Empire, it was more of a city now than a villa, the original building having been expanded and altered into a vast and labyrinthine palace that encompassed almost six acres of land. The villa itself was now merely the centre point of a thriving town. It was the main port of call for the convoys and caravans which moved north along one of three main artery roads leading into the heart of the Empire, and ultimately to Adarna itself.

The whole town was built of sandstone, and it shone, ruddy and glorious, in the failing afternoon light. Already servants scurried around the hallways and courtyards of the villa, lighting lanterns and fire pits. They were on high ground, a mound of earth rising from the plain, a landmark for miles around. The budding military strategist in Metrotis could see why his distant ancestors had chosen the spot to make their home; it dominated the plains for miles around. The hill the town sat upon, and took its name from, was, for reasons long forgotten, known as the Deakin. The Felix family villa sat on its peak like a red-gold crown.

The town of Deakin spilled down the sides of the hill all around but did not reach the plain; its stout and ancient walls stood proud over the lands below. High and safe.

As a child, Metrotis had run screaming through the streets and alleys as he played with the other children of the household. Sometimes they would dare each other to run down the steep hill of the butchers’ row that led to the temple of Lord Terran, then sneak past the worshippers and priests to touch the foot of the great sandstone bear that stood – as if waiting to ambush the unwary – just inside the main entrance, before running back out into the light, giggling with delight at their endeavour.

One time, lulled into an unwary sense of security, they were caught by great Aunt Patricius, mother of Martius and, at the time, unquestioned matriarch of house Felix. Patricius had marched all four boys into the main sept of the temple. Dismissing the priests with an imperious wave, she had forced the children to kneel before the great wheel that sat above the main altar. Lord Terran, at the top in his bear form, dominated the great circular idol that formed the centre of worship in the temple. Metrotis learnt many years later that Aunt Patricius herself had commissioned the wheel, after the style of the Sacreun faith she had been raised in.

“What is that?” Patricius had snapped, voice waspish, hand pointing at the wheel.

The boys remained silent. Grenius, the youngest by a year, sobbed quietly, the sound echoing off the stone walls.

“What is that?” Patricius repeated, venom dripping from every word.

“It, it’s the wheel,” Metrotis squeaked out in reply

“I

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