He nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate your support.”
Varius nodded. “It was for the benefit of the Academy and the Empire, but you’re welcome.”
She continued, “I’ve requested to instruct the upper-level ecclesiast classes next year. I plan to continue to guide your development, Brock. You’ve become a bit of a private project for me, and I don’t intend to let another take over now.”
“Thanks.” He replied, not knowing know what else to say.
“Have a good break, Brock. I’ll see you in a month,” she said, before turning toward the altar.
He left the temple, walking down the quiet hallway. He thought about the exchange with Varius, about the message she was sending. She had bet on him and expected a return on that investment.
Seeking a moment alone, he stepped out into the dark summer night. A cool mountain breeze was chasing the heat of the day away. He looked up at the stars, inhaling the clean air.
A sound from the lawn caught his attention. Someone was out there, not far from the building. He descended the stairs, following the path to where the person stood. As he approached, the person jumped.
“Who’s there?” Croaked an old voice, one that Brock knew well.
“It’s Brock, Master Nindlerod.”
“Brock? Oh, Brock,” the master engineer replied. “You startled me. You shouldn’t sneak up on an old man in the dark. This old ticker could blow, you know,” he said, tapping his chest.
Brock smiled. He liked Nindlerod. “Sorry sir. I’ll be sure to make more noise next time.”
Nindlerod nodded. “Okay, then.”
The old man then bent to look at some odd device consisting of large tubes mounted to a tripod.
“Sir, if you don’t mind my asking, what are you doing?” Brock asked.
“Well, come over here and see for yourself.” The master stepped away from the device.
Brock stepped closer and bent to look into the tube. Closing one eye to see better, an image appeared. It was a bright circle with swirling lines.
“What is it?” Brock asked.
“That’s a planet, my boy,” Nindlerod said.
Brock stepped back, looking into the sky where the tube pointed. He saw what looked like a large star, flickering in the night sky.
“I don’t remember that one,” Brock said.
“Exactly. That’s the problem,” Nindlerod replied.
Brock looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“Boy, I’ve been charting stars and planets for five decades.” Nindlerod pointed at the sky. “I’ve never seen this one before either.”
“That’s odd,” Brock said.
“Yes. Very odd indeed,” the old man replied. “The oddest part is that it continues to get larger.”
“You mean it’s growing?” Brock asked.
The master shook his head. “No, boy. I mean that the image keeps getting larger. That’s because it’s getting closer to us, to our planet.”
Brock’s gaze drifted toward the sky. The revelation left him unsettled, feeling as if a long shadow darkened his future.
A Note from the Author
Thank you for taking the time to join in Brock’s journey. I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading this novel as much I as enjoyed writing it. If so, please spread the word by:
Posting reviews on sites such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.
Sharing on social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others.
Telling a friend who might enjoy the book.
Watch for the second book in the series, coming soon.
-Jeffrey L Kohanek
New discoveries await your return to the Academy…
The story continues when Brock and his friends return for another year at the Academy as they continue on their journey to achieving the rank of master within the Ministry.
What new information will Brock and Benny discover within the book on Chaos?
What other secrets about the Ministry will be uncovered?
Who are the Tantarri and why is the Ministry set on destroying them?
What crazy contraption will Benny invent next?
Will Brock’s involvement in Corbin’s death come back to haunt him?
What is the meaning behind the mysterious planet that appeared in the evening sky?
The answers to these questions and more await in:
The Emblem Throne: The Runes of Issalia, Book II (Coming soon)
For more information about The Runes of Issalia series, the author, and upcoming events, visit:
www.jeffreylkohanek.com
Purchase select Black Rose Writing eBooks at http://www.blackrosewriting.com/ebooks
and use promo code DIGITAL to receive a 20% discount.
www.blackrosewriting.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56
CHAPTER 57
CHAPTER 58
CHAPTER 59
CHAPTER 60
CHAPTER 62
CHAPTER 63
CHAPTER 64
CHAPTER 65
CHAPTER 66
CHAPTER 67
CHAPTER 68
CHAPTER 69
CHAPTER 70
CHAPTER 71
CHAPTER 72
CHAPTER 73
CHAPTER 74
CHAPTER 75
CHAPTER 76
CHAPTER 77
CHAPTER 78
CHAPTER 79
CHAPTER 80
CHAPTER 81
CHAPTER 82
CHAPTER 83
CHAPTER 84
CHAPTER 85
CHAPTER 86
CHAPTER 87
CHAPTER 88
CHAPTER 89
CHAPTER 90
CHAPTER 91
EPILOGUE
A Note from the Author
Black Rose Writing 20% off Coupon
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