The Way of the Sword and Gun Read Free Page B

in the generations since the Devastation. We must learn to find the pleasure in any moment. We've enough pain."
    Owl snickered. "You never stop teaching me."
    "All my pupils will always be my pupils. Since the day you came to us, I knew I wanted to teach you. That's the joy of being Chief Master. We get to focus on the most promising students."
    "But the Queen—"
    "The Queen is the Queen. We have no control over what she will say or do. We'll simply present our views and pray to the brother god Kryssta that she can be reasoned with. Besides, it's not like she's a follower of Korstra."
    "That would be a travesty," Queen Salia said as she stepped off her transport — a huge box-shaped vehicle pulled by three magician-powered flyers tethered with long cables. The flyers, small dart-shaped crafts, made a low hum as they hovered.
    She moved with grace as she approached Chief Master on his plain mat. With her shoulders held back proud like a strutting bird, she lifted a perfect eyebrow and waited to be acknowledged. Her golden hair, straight at the jawline, formed a crown that only heightened the jeweled tiara resting atop her head.
    Owl snapped to attention. He should never have listened to Chief Master. How could he be excused for letting the Queen approach without noticing?
    Chief Master placed his hands on the mat and brought his chin to his chest showing great respect. "May Kryssta watch over you."
    Though he remained standing, Owl repeated the phrase, "May Kryssta watch over you."
    "And you both," Salia said, standing a few feet before them.
    With a labored groan, Chief Master rose to his feet, his knees crackling as he moved. "Oh, for a younger man's body. Enjoy your youth, both of you, for like power, it is always temporary."
    Salia's eyes widened. "Are you really beginning with threats?"
    "No, no, you misunderstand. I have great respect for you and for your strength. Sometimes my mind likes to make little observations, that's all. I'm sure you'll hold on to your power for a long time."
    Salia seemed placated but wary. Owl felt the same. He'd been Chief Master's pupil for so long, had spent so many years seeing the man display the strongest spirit, that it seemed bizarre to watch him behave as an inferior. Chief Master had said this was politics, but just in the opening words, Owl found the whole thing confusing. Who had the real power? The old man who showed weakness or the grand Queen who showed arrogance?
    "You are wasting this audience," Salia said.
    Chief Master bent over unnecessarily — Owl knew the old man could stand firm and strong — which made him appear smaller. "My apologies. And thank you for meeting us without all the pageantry and soldiers."
    "I have no fear of you."
    "Nor should you. But it is a great sign of your trust, and we acknowledge it. Though you requested this meeting, I am most grateful for the opportunity. I come on behalf of the Order of Kryssta for I see great potential in an alliance between us."
    "A bunch of magicians?"
    "The best magicians. We have devoted our lives to the study of magic and a resurrection of the wonderful benefits magic once brought this world."
    Salia's face darkened. "Like the Devastation. Meddling with powers you didn't understand took everything away, destroyed all the cities, killed off nearly all the life. My own scientists have calculated that the Devastation probably left our species with maybe a million people. On the entire planet."
    "And we feel the full gravity of those events every day. We understand why so many fear us. But generations have passed since those days. And, if properly trained both in magic and in Kryssta, there is no reason for magicians to lose their way ever again. We once powered the world with buildings that flew and vehicles that moved on their own. We brought light into homes and created ways for people to communicate over vast distances in an instant. With your help, we can do this again. Safely. Carefully. And you, as Queen, will have