Read The Storm's Own Son (Book 1) for Free Online Page A

Daxar.
    "Or when I patrol my vast estates," replied Talaos.
    " You could form Carai's first mounted street gang," suggested Daxar.
    "Only if your offices are the stables," answered Talaos. "So, what's on your mind?"
    " Rumors are flying that Cratus is going to make a move soon."
    " And people assume I'll be helping Palaeon," replied Talaos.
    "Of course. It was a good career move, switching to his side," continued Daxar. "Though I can't remember you ever explaining, back when you quit working for Cratus."
    " I didn't like some of the things he was up to," answered Talaos, a darker and more serious edge creeping into his voice.
    "You are a gangster, you know, Tal."
    "I have my limits."
    "Well, if you really want to sit this one out, I might have some work, but it will be out of town," said Daxar.
    "Now that sounds even more promising," answered Talaos, "Let's talk tomorrow."
    "See you at the usua l? Lunch, then we can walk back to my offices if you're interested."
    Talaos nodded. Daxar smiled. They shook hands, and the arms dealer left.
    T alaos leapt off the horse and took it to one of the waiting grooms. As he did so, he smiled at the evening ahead, an evening with Sorya and Katara, and a few strings he had pulled.
     
    ~
     
    "What is the purpose of this event?" asked Katara, not quite comprehending.
    Down below them was the great plaza of the city , lit by the moon and a variety of colorful lamps. In the very center was a carven obelisk of ancient, weathered stone. Around it was a cleared circle, and around that, a vast crowd. They were watching from the balcony of a small, but very expensive apartment used by some supposedly respectable associate of Palaeon's for meetings, meetings with young women that the man wanted to keep secret from his wife.
    Regardless of the lack of honor , or courage, it showed, the place itself was very nice, thought Talaos. For a small surety, as promise he wouldn't wreck it, here he was overnight with his own two favorite young women. They were here with some food, and rather more wine, to watch an unusually spectacular celebration of a very ancient annual holiday.
    Sorya answered Katara's question. "Today is supposed to be the anniversary of a day, something like four thousand years ago, when nine ancient heroes of this city saved it from a really powerful enemy hero. That obelisk down there commemorates it."
    "Some say the enemy was a god," added Talaos.
    "A god?" said Sorya, turning her head to look at Talaos, "What's a god?"
    "There are very old legends that talk about them. Something like a hero, but greater, with far more magic. They shaped the world around them," answered Talaos.
    "So like I said, a really powerful hero," she replied with her small mouth in a smirk.
    "No, not the same," he added with a certain finality, as he stepped back into the room behind to grab a carafe of wine. He looked back at the women on the balcony.
    Sorya seemed to give up the fight, and looked over her shoulder at him with the softer expression Talaos knew meant she felt out of her element debating him on such things. She'd painted her lips again, and put a lot of kohl around her big, flashing eyes. He liked the effect.
    She'd arrived in her typical street clothes, but had taken off the outer dress in the warm evening air. She was leaning against the rail of the balcony in her tight-fitting pants, boots, and undershirt, with her midriff bare and her hair up again in the loose bun with the trailing bangs framing her face. Her pert little bottom facing him like that gave him thoughts for later.
    She noticed where his eyes were , and flashed him her wicked smile.
    Katara was standing, half turned, with her slit city dress cinched tight at the waist. She had her bare left leg and sandaled foot propped on the lower rail of the balcony. The loose neckline of her dress was even lower than usual, and her breasts were all but spilling out. She flushed happily at his attention, but seemed to continue her earlier