Progeny (The Children of the White Lions) Read Online Free PDF Page A

surprise was justified. Ijuli were not overly common in the Great Lakes Duchy.
    Pointing to the red-robed figure, Nikalys said, “Look at his arms. The way he moves.”
    “Perhaps.” She sounded unconvinced.
    “And how would you know if it is or not?”
    On his annual journeys to Smithshill with his father and Jak, Nikalys had seen a few ijuli. Kenders had never been out of Yellow Mud.
    The figure halted before the looming wave creature, reached up to his hood, and slid it back. Bright white-blond hair shone brilliant in the sunlight. Now it was Nikalys’ turn to be doubtful. The ones in Smithshill had darker skin and brown or black hair. Nevertheless, the figure’s long arms and graceful maneuverings were impossible to ignore.
    The ijul walked closer to the five gray-clad figures, in the direction of where Nikalys and Kenders stood huddled in the trees. Afraid they might be spotted, Nikalys dipped behind their tree trunk. He felt foolish a moment later when he realized that the forest’s clutter surely hid them from view.
    As they watched, the massive water creature began to move over the surface of the lake, slowly at first, but quickly gaining speed.
    “Bless the gods,” whispered Kenders.
    The creature’s lower half was a mass of tumbling waves, as though a huge storm had churned up whitecaps dozens of times larger than Nikalys had ever seen. Crashing upon the shore, the wave ripped mature oaks from the ground as if they were three-year old saplings. The forest did nothing to slow the wave as it roared south. Water from the lake fed the wave, flooding the land behind it.
    Nikalys glanced back to the mages on the surface of the water and was surprised to see more. Four additional gray-cloaked figures had been hidden behind the creature.
    Sounding anxious, Kenders asked, “Do you think we’re safe here?”
    “Don’t worry,” soothed Nikalys. ”It’s over a mile away.” Shaking his head, he added, “Gods, can you imagine being in front of—”
    He cut off, his eyes going wide. Without a word, Kenders turned and began sprinting south through the forest. Nikalys was only a step behind her.

Chapter 3: Home
     
    Thaddeus threw open the front door and began shouting.
    “Marie! Where are you?! Marie!”
    Like most of the homes in Yellow Mud, the Isaac house had only a few rooms, the center of which was sparsely furnished with some rustic chairs and a single table.
    “Thad! I’m out back!”
    Rushing across the room, Thaddeus opened the back door and stuck his head outside. Marie was standing with her back toward him, staring northward. Hearing him, she turned.
    Marie Isaac was an uncommonly beautiful woman, rivaling women twenty years her junior. Her sleek, black hair was pulled back tight and bound in a ponytail. Her high cheekbones, full lips, and dark brown eyes combined to give the impression of a face permanently frozen in a friendly, mirthful state. Except for now. Now, her eyes were wide and fearful, yet still determined. “What is it, Thad?”
    He reached her in a couple of strides, grabbed her arm, and lied. “I don’t know. But it’s big and headed this way. We need to move!”
    He had a good idea what was rushing toward their home. Marie probably knew as well, but was hoping she was wrong.Jak’s voice rang out, calling from inside the house. “Father? Mother?!”
    “Stay there!” shouted Thaddeus. “We’re coming!” Pulling his wife behind him, Thaddeus rushed back into the house.
    Jak stood in the front doorway, a bewildered expression on his face. “Father, what—”
    “No time for questions, Jak,” interjected Thaddeus. The approaching roar was steadily increasing. The scent of water hanging in the air was stronger and carried with it a hint of old fish and rotting algae. Locking eyes with his son, he ordered, “Go to the kitchen and get the beltpurse in the larder. Quickly!”
    Despite his confusion, Jak obeyed his father’s order and sprinted to his right, heading through one