Chapter 1
Keegan emerged from the trees. He took a few steps and sat on a hill overlooking the largest city he’d ever seen. Ostium was the largest city in the Dravidian Empire, and its capital. Hundreds of thousands of citizens lived and worked there, including the Emperor himself.
He gazed at the walls, the polished granite reflecting the late afternoon sunlight. Soldiers patrolled on the top, though their armor was more ceremonial and less practical. Fancy carriages stood in a line by the main gate, each one managed by men and women wearing the finest clothes. A second line of caravans, carriages and mounted horseman were leaving Ostium, in numbers far greater than those entering.
A bush rustled behind him. The movement was so slight that an average person or a low level cultivator wouldn’t have noticed. But Keegan wasn’t either of those.
He turned around and stared at the bush, his fluffy silver and black tail twitching with annoyance. An Imperial Scout stepped from behind the bush and bowed.
“Apologies, young Messenger. Farmers had reported a beast running past the edge of their fields. They feared for their livestock.”
‘I told you to take the main roads.’ Tomura said smugly in his mind. Keegan growled softly.
They had argued about it as they traveled west over the last week. His newfound fame after what happened in Gaskar made him recognizable, even when he used Transformation. Cheers and waves greeted him as he passed every caravan. Even the Legion patrols saluted as he passed them. Keegan didn’t mind at first, but soon grew tired of the constant praise. He took off into the forest after he was stopped for the third time before noon.
Tomura protested the move. ‘You’ll only make it worse.’
‘I’ll take that risk. I’m tired of people,’ Keegan replied softly.
They had passed over the rolling hills and large poultry farms. Chickens had fled in terror at his appearance.
Keegan brushed the memories aside. ‘I didn’t mean to cause a ruckus. I wanted to save time. The roads are jam-packed.’
The Scout’s necklace glowed as it translated Keegan’s thoughts. “Ostium is in upheaval after the attempt on the Emperor’s life. Many nobles who were critical of Maximus were arrested. Or they skipped town.”
‘Also explains why I’ve seen three times the number of Legionnaires on the roads.’
“Citizens need reassurance.” She held out her hand. “Do you mind?”
’Only because you asked nicely.’ Keegan sighed.
The Scout reached over and gave him head scratches. She reached a particularly itchy spot behind his right ear, and a happy whine escaped his lips.
“My son loved your matches in Gaskar’s arena. His eleventh birthday is in a few months, and he’s adamant about joining the Messenger’s Guild, no matter what class he receives.”
‘I will be waiting for him if he joins. Our Guild could use every candidate with all the losses we’ve had in the last few years.’ Keegan replied. ‘I must be going. I don’t want to keep the Emperor waiting.’
“You didn’t eat any chickens on the way here?”
‘No, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted.’
The Scout laughed as she waved goodbye. Keegan bounded off, leaping down the hillside. His form shimmered as he dismissed Transformation. Heads turned as he walked past the line of carriages. Messengers had priority when it came to entering any of the provincial capitals. The Guards took one look at his necklace and waved him inside.
He had never seen such an enormous display of wealth. Gaskar’s mayor had spent lavish amounts of coin to improve and update the provincial capital for the Cultivator’s Tournament, but all the effort couldn’t compare to what Keegan saw in front of him.
Workmen were busy installing fresh paving stones in the street a few feet in front of him. The size and quality would’ve been far beyond any town’s budget. Houses and businesses, constructed with the finest wood, lined either side of the sidewalk. Citizens wore the finest silks coin could buy. Rings, bracelets, and other jewelry were just as common. Even a passing Legion cohort wasn’t immune, as their armor was polished until it shined.
Keegan also noticed the lack of beggars and street urchins. He glanced down several side streets as he walked, finding them empty. There wasn’t any garbage littering the streets. Even Riverbridge had problems maintaining their roads.
‘I wonder if rumors of an underground city are true. No one ever wanted to discuss the subject whenever I brought it up.’ Keegan thought.
‘Wouldn’t surprise me if it was true. Maximus is better than the last few Emperors, but there is still room for improvement.’ Tomura replied.
A commotion caught his attention. City guards were busy pulling a couple out the front door of their opulent house. The fancily dressed man pushed and shoved with all his might. He clearly didn’t know how to fight, but his towering frame made the arrest difficult. It took four guards to restrain him.
“Gracchus will hear of this! He’s the most powerful member of the Senate and a close friend of mine! You’ll be out of a job and working on the sewers tomorrow, you flaming pieces of gosh’thett!” His voice carried across the entire street. Several bystanders stopped to watch.
“The Senator announced his retirement yesterday. I don’t think he’ll be helping you.” One guard said.
“Stop resisting!” Said another.
“Darling, please!” His wife screamed. A third guard slapped her in irons.
A half dozen shackled citizens walked by, each escorted by the city guard. They were followed by a squad of Legionnaires. Keegan let them pass.
‘Tick tock.’ Tomura reminded him. Keegan picked up his pace.
Homes and businesses grew larger and more fancy the further he walked. He entered a circular plaza with an enormous marble statue of Maximus’ father, Vespasian. Inns, taverns, and restaurants ringed the plaza, each with bouncers in front to keep the peace. One of them tossed out a belligerent drunk right in front of him. It happened so suddenly that he ended up being flattened by the man’s colossal frame.
“Apologies, young Messenger.” The bouncer pried the man off of him.
Keegan was frustrated, but didn’t have the time to chew the bouncer out. He fixed him with an angry glare as he dusted off his robes and hurried on.
He walked another block before reaching the Imperial Palace. Legion Guards stood outside the doors, their golden armor reflecting the sunlight. Bushes and trees lined the front of the marble columns. Keegan took a moment to admire its beauty before walking up to the doors.
“I’m here to meet with Maximus.” He showed him his necklace, followed by the official note, which he pulled out of his storage ring. One Legionnaire scrutinized it while Keegan waited. A pulse of mana went through the parchment, confirming its authenticity.
“The Emperor is in the private gardens. Take the first left, go two doors down, then right once more until you’re outside." His tone was sharp.
Keegan bowed before entering. He followed the Guard’s directions to the letter, fully assuming he was being watched. Frescos adorned the walls as he walked through the halls. He wished he had more time to study them.
The Emperor’s gardens took his breath away as he stepped outside. Wooden trellises containing all kinds of alchemical plants and fungi. Keegan recognized Moonleaf, Morning’s Glow, Dragon Snout, and Bitter Root. There were other plants growing that he’d never seen before. Beyond the trellis was a copse of crimson chestnut trees. To the right was an elaborate wooden table and chair upon which Maximus was sitting. A platter of food was on the corner, alone and ignored, as he was reading a thick scroll.
‘The same scroll that the Guildmasters were arguing over weeks ago. They came together and sent Maximus their proposals.’ Keegan thought.
‘I’m impressed they set aside their differences so quickly.’ Tomura replied.
‘The assassination attempt might’ve sped up the negotiations.’
Tomura grunted in agreement.
Maximus glanced up from his reading. “Keegan! Take a seat.”
“My apologies for my tardiness.” He bowed once more.
“It’s understandable, with all the chaos happening in Ostium.” The Emperor replied as he set the scroll down on the table.
Sweat ran down Keegan’s brow as he sat across from the most powerful man on the continent. The same man who is cleaning out the Senate of anyone who wanted him dead. The one and only Grandmaster Tier cultivator in the land.
“I wanted to thank you again for returning the Void Bracelet. Many of the priceless treasures inside were made decades ago. Losing them would’ve been disastrous.”
“You’re welcome.” Keegan said.
“Can you bring out your familiar? I would like to speak with him. And his presence is essential for the Quest I’m giving you.”
“Sure.” Keegan gestured, and the shadows beneath them came alive. They twisted together and sprouted fur. Tomura’s orange eyes glowed like embers from a dying flame as he studied the Emperor. The kitsune’s tails twitched as an uncomfortable silence settled over the gardens.
‘Why are we here?’ Tomura’s voice was respectful, but had an edge to it.
‘You’re as nervous as I am,’ Keegan realized.
The kitsune growled pointedly at him. His cheeks flushed, as he hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
Maximus raised an eyebrow but continued on. “Your Quest: I want both of you to deliver a message for me.” His hand blurred for a moment, and he produced a much larger scroll.
The Guildmaster’s scroll was simple paper. However, the one in the Emperor’s hands was larger, with golden tassels and sealed in burgundy wax.
“A message to the village leaders in the Spirit Plane.”
