Above, in some places but not all, were markings that gave off a strange green illumination, and Venir had figured most of it out well enough to find sources of food and good water. His stomach groaned. He licked his cracked lips. The water with the slow current was foul for drinking, but there was fresh water not too far ahead. He stretched out his stride and headed down the shore, weaving along the sandy path.
Almost there.
The sound of water rushing over rocks caught his ear. He vanished into a tunnel wide enough for a small craft and emerged on the other side, where the sound became louder. Water cascaded over the rocks nearby, and Venir waded into that water. Scanning the area, he removed Helm, filled him with water, and drank.
“Ah,” he sighed. He took another gulp and hunkered down into the water, leaning on the rocks. The cool water rushed over his aching body and rinsed the gritty film away. His eyes became heavy, and he yawned. Holding Helm in front of him, he ran his thumbs around the eyelets. “How long must this go on?”
Helm remained silent.
Venir knew how long. Until either he was irretrievably dead or all the underlings were.
“I need sleep, good sleep,” he said to Helm. “And you don’t allow that, do you?” He tucked Helm into his lap. “Of course you won’t.” He wedged himself deeper into the rocks, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
***
Hours later, Venir’s haggard body slipped into the water. He woke up gasping for air and splashing in the water. He found his footing and pushed up out of the water with his broad chest heaving and swiped his hair out of his eyes.
That was foolish.
His fingers clutched empty air. Helm was gone. He didn’t see Brool either. Frantically, he searched through the water, finding nothing.
“Looking for this?” a voice said from behind.
He whipped around.
An underling bigger than him had Brool in its grip and wore Helm. Its eyes flashed silver.
Venir froze.
“Come and get it, Darkslayer!” it said with a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth as it stepped off a ledge of rocks and waded into the water.
Venir drew his hunting knife and faced off with the towering creature.
“Die, Darkslayer! Die!” it said. The great war axe went up and came right back down.
Venir’s limbs froze as he watched.
***
“Aaaagh!” Venir yelled, jumping up out of the water. He thrust his knife out and whirled around. Nothing was there save him and the small waterfall.
“Helm!” he said, rasping.
He dropped knees first into the water and began searching. His head snapped up at the ledge where the underling in his nightmare had been. He took a breath and resumed his search until his fingertips found some metal. He jerked Helm from the water. “That was close.”
Next, he found the shaft of his great axe and held it tightly in his grip.
“Too close.”
He shook off the nightmare. It wasn’t the first and wouldn’t be the last. After all, life on Bish was a nightmare.
He was wading back toward the shore when his instincts fired. Torchlight caught his eye. Small craft—barges and gondolas—were cutting through the water. The heavy breath of large dogs sniffed along the shore.
Bish! Underlings work with men! Curse them all!
A knot of dark bodies crept up the shore, holding the dogs back on leashes. That wasn’t all, either. There were angry chitters from more animal-like hulking forms with a pale glow to their skin. It was the albino urchlings. A force of them.
They don’t have my scent yet, but they will.
He strapped on Helm, and his instincts lit up. He could feel the hatred of dozens of underlings.
They must have found the barge. How long did I sleep?
Venir drifted back into the tunnel he had come through earlier, fighting the compulsive urge to battle. Clearing the arch on the other side, Helm reignited. Another massive hunting party waited on the other side.
Slat!
Underlings, Monsters & Mortals
CHAPTER 15
Splash!
“Wake up,” a polished voice said. “Wake up, you have work to do.”
Soaked by a bucket of water, Fogle lifted his throbbing head from his chest. He went to rub his temples, only to find his hands weighted down with metal gauntlets.
“What?”
“A precaution.” It was Palzor who spoke. “I couldn’t let those fingers be free after you bragged about the formidable force that you are. Tsk. Tsk. And taken down by a sleep pellet, at that. Albeit a potent one.”
The room was sparsely furnished and dimly lit by candles on the dark oak walls. Melegal sat beside him, hands and arms tied as well. Across from him, Palzor sat behind a small table. Behind him were two guards, heavy in armor, and another pair of characters Fogle had not seen before, fully cloaked in dark hoods.
I don’t even want to know.
“Is this how we are to help you find Venir?” Fogle said. “By kidnapping us? To what end?”
“A formality,” Palzor said, turning the pages of a heavy book. “My, I marvel at how you magi read these things. Of course, I can read some of it.”
“That’s my book!”
“Indeed.” Palzor licked his thumb and turned another page. “Remarkable reading, but it does give me a headache. Hmmm … this is interesting, a lightning shower. Most impressive.”
Blast! I should have left it with Boon after all!
Palzor closed the book and leaned forward on his table. “I’m sure you’ll cooperate in order to get your spellbook back. I call it insurance.” He pointed his fist at him and closed one eye.
Twing!
Fogle jerked away and hit the floor. A dart imbedded itself in the wall.
“Now that is something more to my liking. A nice touch for a rogue, eh, Melegal?”
Melegal didn’t respond.
“Now,” Palzor continued, “you can have your spellbook back, but I’m very fond of these, so I’ll be keeping them. But if you find your friend, then I’ll reward you with your lives, and the lives of your friends at the Magi Roost. After all, they are also in danger.”
Kam! “That’s a cowardly way to operate.”
“I’m no coward. It takes courage to get where I am. And money.”
“Your definition of courage and mine I’m certain are quite different.”
“It’s about money. I make money. That’s what I do. Who cares were it comes from.”
“Dealing with the underlings is madness!”
“It’s business.”
“It’s suicide.”
“For you, maybe.”
Fogle groaned. Idiot! “So, we are to fetch around in the dark.” He held his gauntleted hands up. “And if I come across any danger, then I guess I’ll just slug it out?”
“That does paint quite a picture.”
“I can’t go down there without any spells and expect to find him. And I know nothing of the world below this city. Is this really your plan? It’s not very well thought out.”
“Oh, I assure you, there is plenty of thought behind this, and it’s time you were made privy to it. You will accompany my two associates below. They are quite familiar with the dark.”
Fogle could smell underling all over them. He’d become more than familiar with their faint but unique stench in the Outland.
When they unveiled their faces, their black-nailed hands covered with thin grey hairs confirmed it. Two underlings with citrine eyes glared at him with malicious intent.
“I never could have imagined such a day,” Fogle said. He glanced at Melegal. The thief was stone faced and quiet. “But at least I know what to expect from them.”
“And what might that be?” Palzor said.
“Death.”
“Well, I’m assuming your formidable skills will avoid it, and you’ll return right back to me with your troublesome friend.”
“What makes you think tha
t we can draw him out?”
The underlings slid over and dropped two hoods over them as he heard Palzor say, “Because you’re good bait for him.”
***
“Oh, look who’s up,” Jaen said.
Kam peeled her face up off the table and started rubbing her head. She searched out Jaen’s voice. Her half sister stood behind the bar, and her tavern was filled with a dozen heavily armed soldiers.
“Can I have an explanation for this?”
“Certainly. Palzor took your friends out to run an errand. I’m to keep watch on you in the meantime.” She huffed. “A belittling thing, but it was Father’s orders. I think he hopes we can mend things.”
“Am I some sort of ransom?”
“You are being held for ransom,” Jaen said, aloof. “That’s how it always works, doesn’t it? Hmmm … Handsome and ransom. I like those words.”
“You are a whore, the same as your mother.”
“Which makes our father a whoremonger,” Jaen said. “What of it? Aren’t you a little too old to be worried about the liaisons of men? I’m sure your little brat’s father has had plenty, being a strapping warrior and all.”
“How long is this game going to be played, Jaen?” Kam straightened in her chair. “Hmmm? You being Father’s loyal little daughter. Will you never learn?”
“And give up all I have for this harrowing life?” Jaen said, gesturing with her arms. “You must be joking. It is you who are playing games, by pretending to be a commoner.”
“I have a purpose.”
“You have nothing,” Jaen said. “Just a quaint tavern. And what has it gotten you? A missing hand. A bastard child.”
Kam shot up out of her seat and stormed toward the bar.
A soldier stepped in front of her.
“Get out of my—”
Smack!
The soldier backhanded her across the face and sent her into a table.
Stunned, Kam shook her head and started to rise again. Her green eyes flashed. “You dare!”
“Careful, Kam. These men have very fond eyes for you.” Jaen took a bite of an apple. “I’m sure they’d be more than willing to put you in your place. Or on your back might be a better phrase.”
“You are foul, Jaen!”
“Not as foul as men,” she said, taking another bite. “Hmmm … I wonder what that Fogle is like. Have you bedded him?” She searched Kam’s eyes. “No? Good. If he lives, I just might have to venture that. But, I don’t think he’ll be coming back.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your friends, well, they are trouble. All of them. I’m pretty sure Palzor is going to get them all killed, one way or another.”
“Is that so? Why do all of this, then? Why the show?”
“Need you really ask?”
Kam felt her knees become weak, and a sickness returned to her stomach. “Royal Games,” she said, dipping her head into her chest. “I should have known.” She lifted her chin and said, “All in the midst of the underling chaos?”
“It makes the game so much more exciting.”
Kam’s face turned into an angry sneer. “You’ll pay for this!”
Jaen nodded to the soldier.
Smack!
Kam toppled over the table, cracked her knees on the floor, and moaned.
“I didn’t realize how much I hated you until I saw you again,” Jaen said. “I didn’t want to come. I really didn’t. But then I thought, ‘Why not? It might be fun.’ Turns out it is.”
On her knees, Kam found herself surrounded by three soldiers leering down at her. She covered herself the best she could and rose back to her feet. She found Jaen’s eyes between the men’s broad shoulders.
“You need to let this go,” Kam said. She could feel her face swelling. “Some lines, you cannot cross back over again.”
Jaen smiled. “I made that choice the moment I arrived here.” She nodded to the soldiers. “Take her!”
CHAPTER 16
Lefty ran for his life. Underlings, five in all, were after him.
Too-wah! Too-wah!
Darts streaked by his head.
This is madness!
He splashed through murky water and wove through the overhanging branches of trees. He glanced over his shoulder.
Oh no!
The underlings were only a dozen yards behind him. Their dark bodies, corded in lean muscle, sent a chill through him. Their edged blades made him gulp. His weary legs pumped harder, taking him to the point of exhaustion. His Lightfoot speed was going, diminishing before the fresh legs that pursued him.
He dashed by a large willow tree out of the underlings’ line of sight and dove into a thicket, where he curled up into a ball.
The underlings dashed underneath the tree and came to a stop. There were four of them on foot plus one rider on the back of a sand spider. Lefty could see their gemstone eyes narrowing in the mist.
Please don’t see me! Please don’t see me!
The underlings chittered back and forth, fanning out. The rider came right toward him. The spider’s tentacled feet probed the water.
I’m in for.
It came closer. Closer.
Lefty squeezed his eyes shut.
The leafy branches of the willow tree shook, and all the underlings looked up.
“Huzzah!”
Pall dropped from the branches, crushing the underling on the spider beneath his feet. His fat blades came down hard into underling and spider meat.
Hack! Hack! Hack!
The remaining four underlings converged, striking hard and fast.
Pall batted their dark steel away with power and speed that belied his girth and age.
Slice!
He caught one in the neck, sending blood flying. He slipped under the blade of another and rammed his machete through its gut. One underling jumped on his neck and started stabbing with fury. Pall slung it off into the other and pounced on the both of them.
“Vermin! I’ll teach you!”
Flesh and bone ripped and cracked. Blood flew through the air. The underlings tore at Pall like rabid dogs. They dragged him into the muddy sod, claws and teeth biting and tearing at his flesh.
Lefty stirred in the brush. Do something!
Muddy and bloody, Pall emerged from the muck and fog with his hands locked behind the underlings’ necks.
“I’ll teach ya!”
He slammed their faces together.
Clock!
He drove their faces into the water and mud.
Their arms flailed. Their legs kicked.
Pall’s big, bearded face turned around. “Get out of that thicket, boy!”
Lefty crawled out of his patch, watching the twitching of the underlings subside and then stop.
Pall, grizzly and gory, pulled the underlings up and shook them. “Got to make sure they’re dead. They play possum sometimes.”
Lefty held his hand over his pounding heart and nodded.
“Ye did well, drawing them out like that.”
Something seized Lefty’s leg.
The underling on the spider locked his clawed fingers onto Lefty’s ankle.
“Aggghhh!” Lefty cried.
“Use yer axe, boy!”
Lefty snatched it out of his belt and chopped at the underling’s arm.
It wouldn’t let go.
“The head, boy! The head!”
Lefty sank the axe into the back of the underling’s skull.
Its fingers peeled away from his ankle.
Lefty skittered away.
“That’s more like it,” Pall said. He had dropped the underlings and now began stuffing tobacco into a pipe. “I like a smoke after a battle.” He winked at Lefty. “I think you’re due for one as well.”
Shaking, Lefty glanced at the carnage. Pall’s efforts were devastating.
“You’re bleeding pretty badly,” Lefty said, gazing at a gaping wound in Pall’s shoulder.
“That?” Pall said, eyeing it. “Har. It’s
hardly grave.” He rubbed his fingers together over the tobacco in the pipe, and the leaves turned to flame. He began puffing. “Ah, that’s better. I haven’t had a good puff in days.” He extended his hand. “Try it.”
Lefty recognized the aroma immediately. It was the same as Mood’s cigar, and it began to ease his thoughts. “I’d better not, unless you want to carry me.”
“Har. That won’t be a problem. You did good, boy.”
“Lefty.”
“You did good, boy Lefty.”
“No, just—”
Pall started walking away.
“Where are you going now?”
“To get them wart-noses. Har.”
“But …” Lefty’s shoulders sagged. Perhaps I should take his pipe and smoke it.
CHAPTER 17
Venir had his shield but no armor. His hand-and-a-half axe throbbed in his hand. His blue veins pulsed with fire.
Helm urged him into battle. Kill them! Kill them all!
Venir could feel the underlings’ vile thoughts, too. Vile. Hate filled. Cruel. There was nothing he wanted more than to destroy them, tear them limb from limb. But he needed control. He needed a plan.
Kill them! Kill them all! Helm beckoned again.
“I will,” Venir said, under his breath, fighting the urge, “but not just yet.”
Venir slunk down into the water until he could no longer hear the dogs barking. From there, he waded forward out of the tunnel, eyelets cresting above the dark water. Ahead, underlings and men in a small craft dug long fishhooks into the water. Others scoured the dark beaches.
Where did so many come from?
Only the Royals would stoop so low. After all, this was exactly what they had done in Bone. They did the unthinkable: dickered with underlings. So why was he so surprised? He could warn them of the underlings’ plans, but would they listen to him?
Deeper he went into the shallow river that formed small lakes. He carried on, careful of the lanterns and torches illuminating the gloom with soft, wavering light.
The Darkslayer: Bish and Bone Series Collector's Edition (Books 1-10): Sword and Sorcery Masterpieces Page 35
