Series: Empire of Stone — 3: Fire and Light «

Silence

Pilgrims The spaceport near the capital city is called StarPath. It was designed by one of the empire’s leading architects, filled with curves and high ceilings.

Most of the waiting areas are underground, beneath the clusters of landing pads. The ships rise and rest quietly, through g-tech that allows them to manipulate gravity. The [...]

A Free Heart Late at night, the inside of the ship is quiet and dark, in the areas where the pilgrims sleep. The elders keep a close watch on the pilgrims, enforcing a rigid schedule, with an early bedtime.

The common rooms for the crew are bright and noisy, hours after the pilgrims have [...]

Long Way Home

Alone I walk slowly, letting the crowd move past me toward the shuttle. Mayani takes my arm, and we stop. He pushes on my mind wall, and I drop it.

He gives me a series of three security codes.

Can you remember them?

Easily.

Your identity has been authorized for full access to [...]

Lost Light

Watchers My energy sight is gone. I can’t feel the web, or the movement of energy. Still, I have a vague sense that Kihyez is scanning me.

“What’s wrong with you?” he asks, a moment later. “You were a master when you first met us.” “Now you have no strength at all!” “How can [...]

Bright Shadows

Four Lands The travel suit is light-grey, a little thicker and heavier than ordinary clothing, and warm to the touch. It shapes itself to me when I put it on, and I feel a trickle of energy from the shield that spreads across the material. I soon forget that the suit is there, even [...]

Outsiders

Pull The towers shine when seen with energy eyes, even the black tower that hides in the sea. As I approach it, I see that something has changed while I was with the Davow. The bottom edge of the tower has a visible glow. I need to get back to the surface, and go [...]

Starlight

Trust “Wait,” says the Bizra to me and the Gen. “Watchers must be taught Sindar’s laws, the Madar language, and the secrets of the towers.”

Neebol and Vala back away from the tower, and the opening closes.

“How long will this take?” I ask. “I need to leave for Siksa as soon as possible.”

[...]

The Heart Fountain