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Killen leaned forward, studying the angled aerial view of the great burg.
‘Damn, I see it now,’ the Kíríga stated a moment later.
Kos was set out as a dazzling relief of a colossal raptor, the zoomorphic shape made out by the buildings and avenues within, reflecting the giant sculpture above.
Killen swung his head to take it all in. It was also nothing like the cityscape he’d left behind on Eden II. A place that had unnerved him to the core with its crowds, air traffic and endless noise.
Kos, while less dense, was, like most megapolis, a battle of the senses.
He longed for the silence of the fissured deserts of Devansi and wondered once more why the hell he’d insisted on carrying this heavy mantle on his soul.
Killen looked back at Kos, shaking his head to focus on the present. ‘My hawkstone shows me murk and ruin in the souls that flit amongst the higher perches.’
Kaxim lit a synth-cheroot and dragged on it. ‘Much disaffection stirs in the city. Rumours of your killing of the old King run rife, and they’ve no idea what to expect. The eyries who lost many senior hawks in the skies above Devansi are screeching with anger. Their witchers have also inflamed the masses against you.’
Surrounding the city was a phalanx of winged creatures in silent guard aloft the black metropolis.
Killen narrowed his eyes at them, entranced.
His First Armourer followed his gaze. ‘The regal Klós K’lia. They are your krest, spearhead, and sab?r tip in battle. They are the finest and elite of the Imperial Sab?r Hawks and Krypós Eagles. You met most of them in Devansi, where they vowed to stand with you. They now surround Kos to protect it. They hover in a rampart to ensure their curses and poisons do not leak into or out of its walls. Until you’re ready to face the capital and take the throne.
Killen studied the city for a long moment. ‘I appreciate their loyalty even though I’ve done nothing to be worthy of it.’
‘De nada,’ Kaxim added. ‘Every one of their souls is true to you because you bear the hawkstone. They will give their lives for you. Each has sworn a sacred oath to fulfil their calling as your royal sentinels and elite crown phalanx when you go to war.’
Killen sucked his teeth. ‘Respect,’ he murmured.
After a beat, he cursed, ‘This damn war, I’m not looking forward to it. Not when it means putting such fine warriors to death.’
‘Neither do we, but thank Khiron, you’re here now,’ Kaxim muttered. ‘I’m keen to pass this shit bucket to you - so you can take over our small rebellion and wrest control of Katánopolis and its courts and seats of power.’
‘It sounds like I’m sort of unreal holo in a drama playing out with a terrible climax to come.’
Kione clapped a hand on Killen’s shoulder. ‘I sense your reluctance. It’s a great burden, but worry not about it for now. Focus instead on being ready to be presented to the army in the coming weeks.’
Kaxim grunted. ‘The fact is the kíndunas of the squadrons will not bow to you until you prove yourself in a fight or battle.’
Killen exhaled. ‘If it’s a small matter of freshening up my koya skills, I’ve been doing as much these last few days.’
His two companions exchanged glances.
Kaxim’s expression was the more sceptical of the pair. ‘I think you’ll need more than a fresher. De nada, we can discuss that later.’
He went on. ‘What’s pressing is that the Kiama was decimated on Devansi. Many of them are presumed dead; Kalila Densu is livid at her brother’s death and has turned even more treacherous – she’s sent k’chawis and arokí all over Katáne and beyond, trying to sniff out the usurper.’
‘She needn’t go into that much trouble. I’m right here.’ Killen shot a smile at Kaxim, who met it with exasperation.
Kaxim raised his hands in frustration. ‘Tell him Kione. This is no game.’
The handsome Krypós Commander nodded. ‘She’s weaving dissent via rumours, lies and powerful spells throughout the noble houses and remnants of the old Kiama council. She wants the high-born eyries to fight for the throne so she can pick on their bones. If it weren’t for the Kärds forming a protective shield around it, their private mercenary armies would have already infiltrated Kos. As it stands, Kalila is paying off Kän?dôr gangs with strongholds in the city to keep the peace and enforce her will.’
‘Can’t we just take Kos?’ Killen murmured.
‘We rule the skies, but not the streets,’ Kione sighed. ‘We lack the foot warriors to manage the inevitable riots if we storm Kos and reinstate you without the support of the noble eyries. The squadrons devoted to us are spread thin.’
Kaxim sucked his teeth. ‘Also, we require a plan to quell all the little fires starting up all over the Kingdom, including Kassian, whom we mentioned before. He survived the battle on Devansi, returned with warriors and men loyal to him, and disappeared into the glass plateaus beyond Karth. Since then, his troops have marauded throughout the provinces and have forced many into their ranks in the hopes of building an army to storm Kos. He’s got a formidable number, almost twice what we do.’
‘Ambitious. How do we thwart him?’ Killen asked.
