She returned the bow and held it just as long. She straightened up and smiled. “I received your missive last night. I’ve read it and burned it. Obviously I concur with your plans, though I am reluctant to allow you to leave the Empire.”
“It is the only way it can be, Highness.” Keles stepped beside her and studied the army columns. “The channel north of the Helos Mountains has become a river fed by Virukadeen. It’s right where a river should be. In a generation or two, no one will remember it wasn’t there.”
“This is especially true since you are taking the Helosundians to Anturasixan.”
He nodded. “Tyressa never liked her people pining for what they had lost. They always were victims, now they will be in a new land that will allow them to shape their own destiny. I will take Desei there, too, and others who lost much in the war. They can all start over. A new land for a new beginning.”
“A new beginning for you and your family, too?”
“Yes. Ulan will remain here. The House of Anturasi will still create the finest maps and charts in the world. The Empire will not lose that.”
The Empress smiled. “We just lose the ability to shape the world.”
“Hardly, Majesty.” He turned around and pointed south toward the cranes lifting rocks into place to rebuild the nine bridges. “People are already shaping the world.”
“But you could do all that work by imagining it.”
“Yes, I could impress my sense of reality on everyone, but I won’t do that.” He shook his head. “They need to build their world. If they do not sacrifice, it will have no value for them. If they know I can save them, then they will not work to save themselves. People who do not look to the future really have no future. They’re just waiting for the rot to set in.”
She arched an eyebrow. “But the power you possess, do you not find it tempting to use?”
“I’ve seen what that power can do to the world. I’ve seen what it did to my grandfather.” He looked down at his hands. “I know it can be used for good, but I also know that I am not smart enough to figure out every single consequence of using it. For that reason, I won’t.”
“Not even if using it to make a single flower blossom would put a smile on your wife’s face?”
“No. I have done too much already. I wish to go to Anturasixan with my family. I will care for my grandfather until he dies, then enjoy my grandchildren.”
“The gods may have other plans for you.”
“If it pleases them.” Keles smiled. “I remember when two of them were human-one of them my twin. They have been kind to me so far, and I hope they shall remain so in the future.”
TheNewWorld
Epilogue
32nd day, Month of the Bat, Year of the Rat
8th Year of the Jade Dynasty
6th Year since the Turasynd War
Imperial Road South, Nalenyr
The nearly blind old man leaned heavily on his walking stick as he crested the hill. “There it is, Moriande, the grandest city in the world.”
“I know, Grandfather. We live there now, remember?”
Matut nodded. “Of course I remember, Dunos. I remember many things. You may think me just a doddering old fool, but I remember coming this way with you and your father. And I remember a swordmaster, looking something like yours, but not as grand. Empress’ consort and all.”
“No, Grandfather.” Dunos looked back to where Moraven and Ciras were helping a carter push his wagon up the final bit of the hill. “I’m sure he wasn’t as grand as my master-as any of them.”
“And I remember this place.”
“Yes, Grandfather, the bandits.” Dunos looked north again, as three figures slipped from the wood to block the road.
Matut squinted. “You shouldn’t have said it, Dunos. You gave the gods ideas.”
The centermost of the bandits, wearing a robe that had once been white with a red bear rampant as the crest, rested hands on the hilts of both his swords. “Welcome to the Imperial road. I and my companions keep it open and free of bandits. I am sure you wish to show your appreciation.”
Dunos stepped forward and bowed. “I am xidantzu. I wish harm to come to no one. These people have traveled with my masters and me. They are under our protection. It will cost you nothing to walk away.”
The bandit laughed and his scruffy companions joined him. “You’re a boy with a withered arm. I’m not afraid of you. I’m Turren Xandao. I’m ranked Superior, so you and your masters should just run off. I’ll let you pass, but not the others.”
“I am Dunos Ameryne, of Serrian Jatan. If you wish to fight, name your terms.”
“To the death, pup.” The man laughed and drew both his swords. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“Not yet.” Dunos slowly bared his blade. “Draw a circle.”
TheNewWorld about the author
Michael A. Stackpole is an award-winning novelist, game designer, computer game designer, podcaster, and scriptwriter. Raised in Vermont, he moved to Arizona in 1979. In his spare time he enjoys playing indoor soccer and dancing (swing and salsa).
To learn more, please visit his website at www. stormwolf. com.
TheNewWorld
BOOKS BY MICHAEL STACKPOLE
Warrior: En Garde
Warrior: Riposte
Warrior: Coupe
Lethal Heritage
Blood Legacy
Lost Destiny
Natural Selection
Assumption of Risk
Bred for War
Malicious Intent
Grave Covenant
Prince of Havoc
Ghost War
A Gathering Evil
Evil Ascendant
Evil Triumphant
Eyes of Silver*
Dementia
Wolf and Raven
Once a Hero*
Talion: Revenant*
Rogue Squadron*
Wedge’s Gamble*
The Krytos Trap*
The Bacta War*
Isard’s Revenge*
Star Wars^ ®: I, Jedi*
Star Wars^ ®: Dark Tide
Star Wars^ ®: Onslaught
Star Wars^ ®: Ruin
The Dark Glory War*
Fortress Draconis*
When Dragons Rage*
The Grand Crusade*
A Secret Atlas*
Cartomancy* *published by Bantam Books
TheNewWorld
A Bantam Spectra Book / July 2007
Published by Bantam Dell a division of
Random House, Inc.
New York, New York
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2007 by Michael A. Stackpole
Map by Michael Gellatly
All rights reserved.
Bantam Books^ ® is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc., and the colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc. Spectra and the portrayal of a boxed “s” are trademarks of Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stackpole, Michael A., 1957-
The new world: the age of discovery / Michael A. Stackpole. p. cm. eISBN: 978-0-553-90387-4
I. Title.
PS3569. T137N49 2007
813 . 54-dc22
www. bantamdell. com v1.0