文档介绍：Blood
legacy of
By H. M. ‘Dain’ Lybarger
uard Captain Rodel looked over the balcony at the red banners waving in the plaza below. They were
being held aloft by rabble; a disaffected and disloyal mob tearing up paving stones and lobbing them at
Gthe palace windows. They were armed only with farm implements and tradesman’s tools – but they’re
numbers were growing…
In the royal family’s quarters, a nursemaid held a squalling infant to her breast, trying to soothe it. Fearfully, she
watched out the window as the mob tore down the gates and forced their way into the palace. “It will be all right,
little one. Your father will make sure of that…” she murmured, shuddering to think what the King would do to the
mob’s leaders once they were captured. Then she heard the sounds of fi ghting, coming closer. Luria swaddled
the infant in her gray spiderweave cloak, and fl ed.
As the palace gates cracked and fell, Rodel led two of the Royal Guard down the marble-pillared hall toward the
Throne Room. His Majesty must be protected! The crack of radium rifl es sounded as he turned the corner, and
both panions were cut down by sizzling bolts! Rodel dived forward, naked blade in his hand – then his
mouth dropped open in shock! The Royal Guards at the Throne Room door had fi red on their brethren – and now
their rifl es were leveled at him!
“Turn and go, Captain. Your duty to the tyrant is discharged -- his blood is already drying on the throne.” The
trembling Guardsman looked over his gunsights into Rodel’s eyes, and saw the resolve there. “The Citizen’s
Council has issued a warrant for your head as well as his – but you trained me. Don’t die trying to avenge a man
who wasn’t fi t to lace your sandals.”
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Rodel cursed the faithless soldier, but turn he did – to- the baby, singing softly to calm his cries. Rodel held
ward the royal apartments. The King may be slain, but the yoke lightly now, drifting in and out of sleep, listen-
his blood was not