The Kheld King by L. L. Stephens

Author:L. L. Stephens [Stephens, L. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: epic fantasy, political fantasy
Publisher: Forest Path Books
Published: 2022-08-18T00:00:00+00:00

26

“I am making dummies of myself and embedding them in walls all over the King’s House, where they won’t cause much comment—at least for now.”

Palimia watched Dorilian devour the last two honey-laced sweets, his decimation of which he had just explained. Even when not using Leur gifts, he consumed more food than the hungriest of regular humans. The spread she had prepared, enough for three men, was now bare.

“Will you be able to translocate soon?”

“Once I better grasp and command my own proportions. I am… much larger than a cylinder. I have also learned that structures are tricky.”

She saw for herself how focused he was. Over the last few months, Dorilian had turned over more of his administrative responsibilities to retainers and cut back on hearings and audiences. Rumors spread that recent events had triggered in him the same paralyzing paranoia which had claimed his father. Only she and a trusted few knew that Dorilian Sordaneon spent his freed-up time memorizing antique math from archaic books or in training at the King’s House, attempting to master gifts for which he had no teachers.

“You haven’t killed yourself, or anyone else, yet. That’s promising.” Palimia laughed at his glare. “I’m teasing you. But everything I’ve ever heard about these powers of your kind tells me they are dangerous. I am glad you are taking time to learn about them first.”

He exhaled audibly and sank back against the cushions lining the stone seat. The shaded terrace they occupied overlooked a stunning vista of lake and city. Insect sounds rose from the garden along with the click of shears being used to trim the jasmine arbor on the path below. “I cannot afford mistakes. We talked about that once, remember? My mistakes can kill me, and not me alone. My life is… connected to an Entity. That Entity is one that protects and nurtures a great many people. Entire nations, Sordan in particular. This Creation, even, in ways I have yet to fully ascertain. I have seen my enemy too clearly not to fear what lies ahead if I cannot fight it.”

“You have often said you are buying time. For whom, I wonder.”

“For myself, mostly. If I am to command any gifts at all, I need to grow stronger—and older.” He shot her a grin. “I believe I may soon achieve an adult body. It has been a full year since I have grown more than a finger width, though according to Sebbord’s books, final maturity might need more time. Tutto never tires of reminding me I am still an adolescent.”

She laughed. “You certainly have an adolescent’s energy.”

“All the more reason to learn everything I can, while I can. I will need to teach Lev someday. Maybe sons or grandsons if I ever have them. I don’t want to go down in history as the endpoint of Leur’s grand experiment.”

“I really cannot see you as the endpoint of anything.”

His shake of the head offset a dismissive smile. He thought her placating. And yet how very far they had come.

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