A Book of Blades: Volume II: Rogues in the House Podcast Presents by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rogues in the House Podcast
Published: 2023-07-09T16:00:00+00:00

Before returning to the surface, Lachmannon and Marick filled their pouches with gems pilfered from Zanzara. They also collected tokens of death–rings, weapons, a gold tooth–for all the fallen mercenaries they’d found. Lachmannon even carried a pair of dead worms back to the House of Haunted Sighs, so Minostoro could see–with his own eyes–the dangers they’d faced.

The alcalde was undeterred by their story.

“Surely, this was but her death rattle,” he said. “You two have made it out; there can’t be much left to fear down there. If Vashka is gone, then that’s all the better for us.” Minostoro signaled to the eunuch. “Sanda, pay these men. Secure them fine lodgings. Let them know a week’s worth of luxury–”

“Alcalde, you’re not listening!” Lachmannon tossed the sagging, smiling worms to the floor. “She’s bred horrors down there. Zanzara must be destroyed.”

“Sanda, see that these men are attended by the best healers in Vescivius. Spare no expense–”

“Fool!” Lachmannon’s words reverberated off the walls of the House of Haunted Sighs. A pregnant hush settled over the torch-teased gloom.

Alcalde Minostoro’s eyes flickered toward the guards flanking the exit. Then he met Lachmannon’s gaze. “I thank you two for your services,” he said. “We will sort matters from here. Sanda will show you to–”

“You’re mad, alcalde! You know not what you do! I’ll take my pay, and I’ll put distance between myself and this infernal city. Marick, let us–”

Lachmannon turned toward his companion and saw he’d drawn his weapon.

“What are you doing?” he said. “Put your blade away. Are you mad, too?”

“The alcalde is right, Kael. It is you who does not understand.” Marick brandished his sword; Lachmannon drew his.

“Put your weapons down,” demanded Alcalde Minostoro. “Guards!”

Marick took no notice of the armored men approaching. “We would be fools to deny her coming, Kael,” he said. “Zanzara will rise. Vashka will rule.”

He raised his sword.

Steel shrieked across steel as Lachmannon parried a blow. He lunged backward but remained between the alcalde and Marick.

Marick’s eyes went dark–just like the men and women who had lost their minds in the depths. The two guards reached the big man and seized him.

Marick fought back, stabbing one through the guts. The other guard wrenched Marick’s sword arm behind his back.

With his foe distracted, Lachmannon struck again, cleaving off a portion of Marick’s head. His remaining ear clung tenuously to a sagging flap of his scalp.

The guard stepped back in horror, but for Marick it was as if the blow hadn't landed.

“It’s inevitable, Kael,” he said, grinning as blood streamed past his lips. “She’s already here.” As he spoke, a dark liquid erupted from the wound in his scalp. After a thick, oily gout, tiny worms spilled out, sloughing from his head to the floor where they writhed in chaotic black clusters.

Lachmannon’s next blow severed Marick’s head. Blood fountained from his neck, spraying down the remaining guard.

Marick’s meaty frame tumbled bonelessly to the floor with a wet thud. Black ichor oozed from the wound, crawling with tiny, human-faced worms.

The remaining guard wiped blood from his face and blew a horn–a call to arms for other men of the watch.

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