A Prayer of Light and Venom by D. Elias Jenkins

Author:D. Elias Jenkins [Jenkins, D. Elias]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-20T22:00:00+00:00

10

The two figures bolted down the alleyway, their sandals slapping the cobbles and robes flailing behind them. Alfred could feel his own heart in his ears and the labored breathing of his Master. Behind him he could hear heavy boots stomping and the clatter of the cudgels rattling against the bricks. He did not want to be caught by the Watch, but it was who they would hand him over to that terrified him.

The Witchfinder Merrick Clay had his scent now, and Alfred knew that the corpse of a man would never stop hunting him, no matter where he ran to. No one ever escaped the Witchfinders forever. And now Alfred knew that they had magic of their own. Wizards to hunt wizards. Merrick Clay could bend and break the bones of others like reeds! Alfred wondered what kind of dark god would bless a man with such a gift. Would any worthy god not grant the gift to mend bones rather than break them? But Alfred knew which powers had gifted Merrick Clay. They were not puritans seeking to rid the world of magic. They were disciples of the Sorrow, scouring the land to wipe out any threats!

Now they saw Alfred as that threat.

He tried to push memories of his family from his mind as he ran. The traitorous part of his imagination could not help wondering if Merrick Clay had used his ossomancy on his kin to make them talk. The thought turned his stomach with guilt.

They came to a junction of intersecting alleyways and Alfred held on Phillip's sleeve. He looked behind them and shouts closed in but the watchmen were still around the corner and not visible. Alfred recognized where he was. He pulled Phillip to the left alley.

"This way."

"But the Inn is to the right-"

"I know a short cut, trust me."

Alfred dragged his Master down a twisted and circuitous alleyway that only the seedier elements of Vassonian society would ever know to negotiate. His lungs were near bursting when they emerged on Charter Street next to a wool dying mill. Across the wide boulevard was a three storey building, once painted a deep red but now faded in the sun and peeling in places. Several chimneys streamed woodsmoke and a large miner's oil lamp swung in the porch. A stringed instrument was being plucked from somewhere inside. Alfred glanced behind them and tried to catch his breath.

"Do you hear them?"

Phillip was bent over with his hands on his knees, his fat cheeks purple. Alfred was worried he was about to collapse. Phillip straightened up and looked down the alley. He shook his head.

"I won't ask how you learned that shortcut but I'm guessing it's not the first time you've had to flee down it. But it worked I think. Come, I hope our friends are waiting inside."

Alfred looked at the fat teacher beside him, and wondered if he ever knew him.

"Who are these people we are meeting, Master Phillip? You had this plan in place?"

Phillip caught his breath and gave a jowly nod.

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