was taken away from me by war—by the death of family. I was given to Pompei as a trophy. And now, I stand before you as Cardinal. As Emperor of the South Wind. But many were not given such a chance to rise above. My wife…your Lady Cardinal…was given away into slavery by a cruel mother. There are many of you who have sold yourselves into the trade. But many of you have not. And I say…no more.”
The crowd was silent. The only noise was his voice and the roar of the flames behind him. “The men who lie dead inside that building would cling to the chains of those they own because it made them rich—it benefited their lives. And I have freed us all from such tyranny. I am now your High Emperor.”
Gasps. There was no applause. Only uncertainty.
He grinned. “I stand here with the backing of all four Winds.” He gestured to the robots on either side of him. “Know me, my citizens—for I am Nero! You will shatter the chains of those you own. You will march into this new world with me—or I will march us all into Hades as I burn this city to the ground.” He let a sadistic smile spread over his face. “I care not either way.”
He laughed as the crowd ran from him.
Today was a new day.
And it was glorious.
Epilogue
Hugo walked through the hall of the hospital. It smelled like cleaning solution and death. It stung his nose. He had not possessed a sensitive sense of smell until the past few years. Ever since his experiments went…wrong.
Or right.
He supposed it was all relative.
This particular wing was dedicated to those who were too far gone to be saved. At least by more conventional means. It was a wing where palliative care was given to those who stood staring down the gate of death. It was one he visited often.
But this was his last visit. The nurses smiled to him as he passed, and he tipped his bowler hat as he walked. His thoughts were troubled, but that didn’t mean he had to be rude.
Always be mindful of others. That was one of his primary rules. The other was to help as many of the dying as he could. Yes, fine, he had an ulterior motive—but he had not become a doctor to cause harm.
He had just returned from Hope and Nero’s wedding. What a beautiful, wonderful affair. He had left early. He was too preoccupied by all that had transpired of late, although he had left a large contingent of his personal soldiers behind to assist the South Wind in rebuilding his country.
The madman was genuine about wanting to free the slaves. It was a phenomenal decision—Hugo supported it wholeheartedly. But of course, the lunatic had gone about it by murdering his entire senate and threatening to burn the whole of Rome to the ground. And because everyone knew he was crazy enough to do it…they weren’t foolish enough to wage an uprising.
The South Wind Dominion would struggle for a time to find its footing without being able to rely on free labor to support their trade. But in the end, they would be better for it.
But that was not why his thoughts were dark. It was not even his own pending demise that troubled him. It was where he had been just prior to the wedding. He had just returned from the North where he had gone to speak to the Cardinal who created them all. He had stated his intention to retire and die in peace.
And he was refused.
Morten’s words echoed in his mind. “I chose you to be the West Wind. And you will remain so until I deem you are unfit to rule.”
He was already unfit! He was. And if not now, when? When he was too far gone?
He took off his hat to rub his hand through his hair. He needed a trim. He often neglected it, and the rest of his personal grooming, when he became too distracted by his work. He would worry about it when he got to his island. He intended to stay there at least on an extended retreat until he could make sense of Morten’s cryptic words or until the deed was done and he was dead.
Or as good as dead.
He had come here to collect the last of his patients. A few of his soldiers—his companions—waited by the door to the wing. They did not venture in. Their monstrous appearances might frighten the dying.
It might make them change their minds about Hugo’s offer.
Hugo walked along the ends of the beds. The white linens that decorated the thin mattresses were mostly clean—save for those whose wounds would not let them remain so. Many of the patients were unconscious. Many stared glassy-eyed up at the ceiling.
But one met his gaze.
He smiled at her. She was beautiful. Or at least, she had been before illness had taken her. Her skin was sallow. Her eyes were sunken. Her blonde hair was matted with sweat. He could tell just by looking at her what she was sick with—consumption. Tuberculosis. Her lips were pale but flecked with blood.
He walked up to her and gently sat on the edge of her bed. Even still, those brown eyes of hers watched him with a ferocity that made him think she might be a perfect choice.
“Hello,” she greeted him quietly. Her voice was haggard from coughing up blood, no doubt. “Cardinal.”
Good. She knew who he was. That meant she knew why he was here. He reached out to take her hand. She placed her palm in his without hesitation. “Call me Hugo. What’s your name?”
“Opal.”
“Well, Opal…I have an offer for you.”
Finis.
The Cardinal Winds continues in Hugo’s story,
Cursed Opal
in April, 2021
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Also by Kathryn Ann Kingsley
Harrow Faire:
The Contortionist
The Puppeteer
The Clown
The Ringmaster
The Faire
Immortal Soul:
Heart of Dracula
Curse of Dracula
The Impossible Julian Strande:
Illusions of Grandeur
Ghosts & Liars
The Cardinal Winds:
Steel Rose
Burning Hope
The Masks of Under:
King of Flames
King of Shadows
Queen of Dreams
King of Blood
King of None
Queen of All
Halfway Between:
Shadow of Angels
Blood of Angels
Fall of Angels
About the Author
Kat has always been a storyteller.
With ten years in script-writing for performances on both the stage and for tourism, she has always been writing in one form or another. When she isn’t penning down fiction, she works as Creative Director for a company that designs and builds large-scale interactive adventure games. There, she is the lead concept designer, handling everything from game and set design, to audio and lighting, to illustration and script writing.
Also on her list of skills are artistic direction, scenic painting and props, special effects, and electronics. A graduate of Boston University with a BFA in Theatre Design, she has a passion for unique, creative, and unconventional experiences.