Read The 6th of Six (The Legend of Kimraig Llu) for Free Online Page A

due.
    Nothing wasted.
    Tarps covered the container gardens, the plots that provided their food. Heavy rain came without warning. They all lived with the supply of water; feast or famine, since collection and storage in every building was scarce. There were few large containers to catch the runoff.
    Water collected and left in open vessels soured quickly.
    Salvage crews dragged water towers from downed buildings. They rebuilt them in stairwells, channeling water from the roof to fill them. Two remained, assigned for reassembly on top of this new construction. His finish date was a long way off.
    Number 2 Building held the new fish tank with the first highbred saltwater fish. Just beyond was One Nine, the next building Kimraig had suggested as relief for the Builders chronic overcrowding problems. At eight-tenths of a mile distance, it would be difficult to send reinforcements when his army seized control.
    One Nine was named for the two large numerals at the entranceway. Their new world beckoned not quite a mile away, a safe place to raise families. That is why, dear Breen I am rushing you.
    Kimraig knew One Nine would accept more levels above the existing ones. The spire took valuable space perched on top of the building. The removal would be his first project.
    His fingers drummed with anticipation; little finger to index finger, repeatedly like playing a keyboard. The Wicca would not take long with their decision, not with the heavy losses his plan showed for the Battle Groups when they fought to hold the building.
    Yes, he had bloated the figures; he wanted to take as many of his people with him as possible. His strongest fighters would stay in their own buildings until the panic subsided, then filter into the new building. The tunnels and rubble would hide them. His army would defeat anything skittering in the dark.
    “Kimraig, attend the council,” echoed from his C-link.
    “At your pleasure, Leader,” As he answered, Kimraig turned to enter his once bright observation room, now dimming with the fading light. Soon it would be dark, another day gone.
    After requiring his attention, the Leader of Leaders ignored him.
    Standing in front of his Vid-Screen, he scanned images from the Council floor. All the leaders were dressed in the long flowing white robes required by decree. The Leader of Leaders held the podium, speaking from the lectern. Behind her, thirteen over-stuffed seats held the remaining Leaders who formed the Wicca Council. The Leader of Leaders seat was empty while she held the podium. One other remained empty, unfilled since a Leader’s death.
    In the tiered rows of Number 3 Building, Breen-3’s seat sat empty.
    Five tiered rows of comfortable bleachers, complete with back support, formed a horseshoe with the Wicca Council closing the open end. Each of the tiered rows held twelve females. One female Superior, keeper of a single building, sat alone in the front of each tier, dressed in the required robe of indigo blue. Twelve council members represented each of the five buildings. With their Superior, each tiered row numbered the Wicca’s symbolic thirteen.
    Indigo blue robes, white robes and the multi-colored dress suits of female council members, gave a false picture of festivity to the amphitheater. Fortunes lost, throats cut with no blood spilled. Potentials made and others squandered, always the order of the day. Politics!
    Wrapping its steely claws around this gathering lurked the pallor of decay—a way of life consuming itself.
    Kimraig knew that the first Wicca Decree adamantly forbid males in Chambers, yet he spotted at least two dressed in the khaki uniforms of the clerical staff. They were not running errands; they sat comfortably in visitor chairs. Males were males; it made little difference if they had committed to the alternate lifestyle of the Others. In this room forbidden meant none.
    If Breen-3’s telepathy abilities were able to bridge the gap between the two buildings he was