Page 73 of Crown of Iron
Kyron nods toward the underground opening on the other side of the stadium. Terro walks out with someone outfitted in a black one-piece suit with a matching helmet. “May I present Lieutenant-Commander Terro August, Basecamp's Master of Arms.”
Terro steps forward and bows to Micah and me before saying, “At General LeFur's request, I've spent the past four years developing armor that can withstand the amplified powers of the Stigian warriors.” He runs his hand over the scale-like plates on the soldier's chest. “The outer shell of this lightweight armor is constructed of a stone found in the southern region of the Allaji kingdom and infused with an artificial mineral comparable to diamonds. Together these materials can resist an Ingita's fire and are durable enough to hold against a Glacio's icicles or the splintering of a branch hurled by a Pianti. The lining on the inside is a breathable rubbery fabric which will absorb most of the shock from an Electro. The soldier will still receive a good zap, but it won't be fatal. And the helmet”—Terro knocks on the tinted visor covering the wearer's face—“blocks against wind, dirt, and offers substantial protection from a Solsta's burst of light.”
“Do we get a demonstration?” calls a man from the stands.
I lean forward in my seat as Terro moves behind Kyron. The armored soldier lines up with the general and squares their shoulders. Kyron brings his hands to his chest and then flings them forward. A massive ball of fire races for the test subject and hits them with a force that sends them to their ass. The blow would have been enough to burn a sizable hole through one side of the stadium, leaving everything ash and charred if it had not hit the soldier. But they are in one piece.
Propping themself on an elbow, the soldier moans, “You flaming bag of horseshit, you didn't need to throw it so hard.”
I smile at the recognizable voice. Ulric.
“Come on, Major, it was just a little fire,” Kyron quips and turns to Micah. “Would you like to give it a try, Your Majesty?”
The king gives a curt nod and joins the men on the field.
Ulric mutters a slew of curse words as he stands again and readies himself for what Micah will unleash. Much like Kyron did, Micah stands across from Ulric and blasts him with a somewhat powerful dirt storm. Small rocks and dust wash over Ulric. He stumbles back but remains on his feet, pushing through the debris toward the king until he taps him on the shoulder.
“The armor also comes with a weapon that turns every soldier wearing it into an Ignita,” Terro says, pointing Ulric to a target dressed as a Stigian. “A flammable solution runs through thin tubing placed around the armor and is controlled by a switch within the sleeve. The outer shell and inside lining protect a small series of tubes, keeping the soldier safe. The gift, if you will, has limits, but we’re working to create a mobile power station that will allow the wearer to refill the reservoir within minutes.”
“If you will allow me to demonstrate, Your Majesty,” Ulric says with excitement. He extends his arm, curls his fingers, and a stream of fire stretches meters ahead of him, burning the decoy warrior to ash. Ulric turns to Micah and lifts the visor on his helmet. He’s drenched in perspiration, out of breath, and no doubt sore, but he wears the widest grin.
Kyron claps him on the shoulder and addresses the crowd. “The limitations of the armor are few. For instance, the strength of the soldier wearing it.”
“Aye, you're such an ass,” Ulric says.
“There are weak points,” Terro says. “A skilled soldier can easily maneuver around them, and I'm still working to minimize them.”
Micah asks the men, “How long will it take to outfit every Cyffred soldier?”
Terro answers, “At your command, we’re ready to distribute the armor to every CyffredandKhiros at Basecamp. I've put together a proposal on how to create and distribute the armor for the other camps.”
Kyron adds, “This armor could not only benefit the Cyffreds butallof our soldiers. It's costly, but worth it, Your Majesty.”
“Where did thefinances?—”
“I understand the financial restraints of the kingdom,” Kyron says. “Basecamp's armor cost our people nothing.”
Micah skeptically lifts a brow but doesn't push the matter. “Lieutenant-Commander August, I'd like to review your proposal tomorrow. General LeFur, prepare your troops for a test run of the armor. I want it to be a small-scale attack on Stigian soil.”
My breath hitches and I sink back into my chair and close my eyes. Everything has fallen into place so easily. It's as if the moment I came clean with Kyron, the Statera smiled upon me. We now have our reason to go beyond the Lucent border and a chance to find my father.
“Are we still on for the wife hunt this evening?”
My eyes spring open as my blissful thoughts are interrupted. Kyron looks up at me with his arms crossed over the railing and a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Pretending his presence doesn't excite me, I glance past him to the field where Micah and several generals poke, prod, and test their gifts against Ulric's armor.
Leaning forward, I drop my voice and say, “I think I've got the perfect girl in mind.”
“Do you now?”
With a shrug, I stand and walk toward the stairs. Before I disappear into the passage under the stands, I turn back to him and say, “Meet me at the palace stables just after sunset and you'll find out.”
Twenty-Six
Itoss another dress from my closet onto the floor, and with a huff, fall on top of the mountain of clothes I've already discarded. A dress isn't optimal for riding a horse and wearing pants feels so ordinary. I don't know why I'm putting so much effort into my clothing when Kyron has literally seen me covered in pig shit. But I am.
My gaze runs over the remaining items hanging and lingers on a steely gray ensemble. I stand and push the surrounding clothes to the side. The sheer ankle-length lace isn't a skirt like I first thought. It's connected to the bottom of a gorgeous, cropped jacket with a deep V neckline and delicate buttons down to the waist. Folded over the hanger are slim satin pants, with the same lace embellishments up the side of the legs. It's perfect.
