Blood of the Chosen by T. C. Edge

Author:T. C. Edge [Edge, T. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

The convoy halts only briefly as Perses climbs out. Ahead, I see the shape of two figures pouring over the open plains, little thickets of woodland dotted here and there. Over the past few hours, a few villages and settlements have appeared on the horizon, though none close enough to see in great detail. We have slipped on through the Fringe without detection, just as Perses said was commonly the case.

The figures, distant only a few moments ago, quickly rush ahead to join us. The speed at which they cover is ground is startling, drawing up clouds of dust that follow their path. Hurrying right up to Perses, they pull to a sudden stop, the pursuing cloud of dust briefly engulfing them before fading away once more.

Both stand, doubled over, hands to knees as they try to gather their breath. I watch from the door of the carriage, other soldiers doing the same from the convoy behind us. Glancing back, I notice Krun watching on eagerly from the transport directly behind Black Thunder. Further back, the fiery glow of Hestia's outfit lights up at the rear.

"Gather your breath, men," I hear Perses say calmly. He gives the two Phasers a few more moments to replenish their oxygen supply before going on. "Now, what have you discovered?"

"The bandits, sir," pants one of the Phasers, standing back up straight. "They're...they're preparing...another assault."

Perses stiffens, wide back straightening. "Where?" he asks.

I tense as I listen from the side.

"We're not certain..." says the other soldier, heaving in another breath. "But that's...not the problem..."

"What is the problem?" Perses grunts. "Speak."

"Reinforcements, Herald Perses," the first man says, his breath regathered. "Their camp has multiplied significantly."

"Numbers?"

"Two hundred at least," the Phaser says. "Our men on watch there have seen more coming in by the hour. We believe they're other bands who have been ransacking settlements further south. Now they're massing, sir. "

Perses lifts a hand to his mighty chin, stroking gently. "Any further word on their capabilities?" he asks.

"Hard to say, Herald Perses. Our men have been watching night and day. They have a large number of men with Phaser powers, we know that much at least."

"And half a dozen Titans, sir," adds the second solider. "We're not sure of what else, but believe they may well have some Elementals in their ranks."

I feel my chest clench tighten at that.

"Dark gods," I hear Perses rumble, looking up and out towards the plains pensively. "This is no normal bandit party."

"No, sir," the first Phaser says. "They're well organised, and bear the marks of combat. Most carry firearms. Many are wearing patchwork armour."

"Hmmmm," Perses muses, hand still on his chin. I watch those deepset eyes fade behind his furrowed brow. "Sounds like the Cure to me."

"The Cure?" says the second Phaser, frowning too. I notice Krun marching from behind now, stepping forward to join the conversation. Others filter from their carriages, listening in though staying back. "I thought they were destroyed?"

"That is the latest intelligence from the south," Perses says, calm, in control.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.