Page 19 of An Archer's Reckoning

People gaped with varying degrees of awe, trepidation, and a fair measure of righteous indignation as I strode from the shore into town. Nowhere in the world was more than a line or two of gold on a collar or cuff considered appropriate. My blasphemous dress proclaimed me more a mythic goddess than a Gifted royal.

People were enraged.

I couldn’t have cared less.

Why should I?

The legendary spirit of Irina, the most powerful Mage to ever live, raged within my soul. With every step, I felt Irina’s power churning, yearning to wreak vengeance on those who imprisoned her a thousand years before.

So entwined were our souls, I could no longer tell where my own feelings ended and Irina’s simmering fury began.

That distinction mattered less by the moment.

I had plotted and planned for decades, patiently waiting for the day when I would step forward and claim my rightful place. The world was mine to conquer, mine to rule—and now I had the power to do both.

Now that Irina’s rebirth was complete, I faced a choice: Declare myself as Irina, name myself as Irina’s host, or keep the whole secret to myself?

The idea of announcing Irina’s return and displaying immense power did have a sadistic appeal. The little worms around me would squirm. I would enjoy watching that.

But, if I maintained the secret, I could continue to leverage relationships and bonds I’d cultivated as Queen over the years. The practical woman inside me knew I would need the simpering nobles and generals if I was to invade and truly conquer. I hadn’t done all this for wanton destruction. I wanted to unite the continent, to bring its people under one banner—mine. Even a goddess needed worshipers to do her bidding.

Goddess—I like the sound of that.I grinned at the thought.

I rounded the corner of a building, and the town square opened before me. The inn stood at the opposite end, while soldiers and guardsmen cluttered the grassy yard. The Royal Guard noticed me marching toward them and snapped to attention, pikes erect at their sides. Waves of surprise and fear—and anger—made me stagger, as my newly acquired Gift of Empathy revealed everything those around me felt.

Fear.

Confusion.

Doubt.

Anger.

The maelstrom of emotions that flooded through me threated to bring me to my knees.

I knew completion of the ritual would Enchant the crown I now wore with a Gift from each sacrifice. What I hadn’t expected was the disorienting experience of using those Gifts for the first time. There were so many people nearby, and every one of their emotions battered my mind and heart.

I held my chin high and pretended to ignore them. I was good at ignoring unimportant people. They were all unimportant now.

I reached the door to the inn, and the men in gold crossed their spears to bar my entry. My eyes widened as rage filled me.

“Get out of my way. What do you think you’re doing?” I glared from one man to the other. A thrill of satisfaction trickled through me as their emotions tilted toward uncertainty and fear.

And yet, they held fast.

“Fine, we will do this the hard way,” I said as I reached up and grabbed one of the guards by his breastplate. He stood well over six feet tall and had shoulders as wide as the inn’s doorframe, but I tossed him sixty paces as though he were nothing more than a paper doll. I had always been athletic and quick, but my new Gift of Enhanced Strength was incredible. Now I could probably best any of the Royal Guard in a contest of physical prowess.

The other guard hesitated a second too long.

I gripped his spear, wrenched it from his grasp, and swung it in a wide arc, slamming its butt into his ribcage. The man crumpled to the ground, clutching his side. I tossed the spear at him and strode into the inn without a backward glance.

Entering the common room, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Privy Council seated at a large round table in the center of the room. High Sheriff Wilfred, Treasurer Dask, General Marks, Trade Minister Carver, and High Chancellor Thorn were engaged in a heated discussion.

Heads snapped to the door as I entered.

All discussion froze.

I stood just inside the doorway and waited for their reactions. I was not disappointed.

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