Tharsis Rising (Tharsis Saga Book 1) by Andrew Stanek

Author:Andrew Stanek [Stanek, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Published: 2018-04-06T04:00:00+00:00

*****

After a short visit to the local barracks, where Everett left Tucker and washed up a little, the carriage deposited Everett on Vics’ doorstep. Everett had to admit that the Vics estate was impressive. He had to look up just to see the top. In fact, Everett would have compared it to the Royal Palace in Rypin. It had wings and buttresses and a huge, green garden in front - a garden that certainly would have required a lot of water to keep in this time of drought.

In front of the palace-manor, Vics’ household guards lined up with their rifles over their shoulders and presented arms, saluting Everett. A servant in white and black approached.

“We are most honored to have you here, Major Tucker,” the servant said. “I am Bors. Allow me to welcome you to the Vics estate. Please, follow me.”

Bors led him through the expansive front doors and into the foyer and entrance hall, which had gleaming floors, red carpets, spiraling staircases, crystal chandeliers... Everything here was sparkling, dazzling, polished, and proper. Everett felt very out of place in his scuffed and dirty uniform. Maybe that was the point.

“The Master will be with you shortly,” Bors said, and disappeared. Everett, shrugging, looked around and found a huge glass display case. Inside was a large, working model of a railroad train.

“I see you have found my technical curiosities, Major,” came a bass voice.

Everett whipped around to see a truly gigantic, obese man with a wobbling belly wading into the room. He had a lopsided grin and a scarred, disfigured face. This, Everett assumed, was Minister Vics.

“To my knowledge, that is the only working steam engine locomotive in the Commonwealth, though I understand trains are something you’ve probably had quite enough of for one lifetime.”

“Maybe,” Everett said. Something about Vics’ twisted face was truly grotesque, and Everett had to stop himself from wrinkling his nose at the sight of the man. “It’s such an... honor... to finally meet you at last, Minister Vics.”

“And you, Major Tucker,” Vics said with his lopsided grin. “What a pleasure it is to meet the man who caused me so much trouble.”

Vics offered a stubby hand, which Everett reluctantly shook.

“Follow me,” Vics said imperiously. “We’ll have a little tea and discuss matters.”

He led Everett into the next room, which Everett found was a sweeping parlor with vast windows and a lot of natural light. It had a table, at which Lucius sat with his arms crossed.

“My cherished nephew, Lucius,” said Vics. “I believe you already know each other slightly.”

Everett glowered at Lucius, who sneered back at him.

Suddenly, there were footfalls behind them. Everett turned to see the newcomer.

“And may I present my fiancée, Lady Fay Noviana.”

Catching sight of Fay, Everett stopped dead. She was standing there in a sweeping blue dress, barely five feet from him. As with the first time he’d seen Fay, Everett felt his world crashing to a stop. She was so beautiful, dazzling, crushingly radiant. A sparking, prickling feeling rippled along his spine, dancing through his chest and tingling through his arms.

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