Broken Moon - Scorned Lands: Shattered Worlds Book One by Patrick Todoroff

Author:Patrick Todoroff [Todoroff, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patrick Todoroff
Published: 2024-08-09T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-FIVE: DIRECTIONS

The expedition broke camp and assembled on the ridge below Eresh’s Chimney. Final tally from the desert ambush was nine dead, a quarter of the supplies gone, and everyone else battered and bandaged.

“Hobble, grunt, and moan,” Snat said as he and Addas rode up. “That is one sorry-looking bunch. More like a pack of refugees than a reinforced trade delegation.” The goblin had made himself a comfortable seat behind Addas’ saddle and was gnawing on a hunk of dried snake meat.

“You’re a real help,” Addas said.

“I’m a realist,” the goblin replied. “We’re not even in the scorned lands proper yet.”

Several dwarves were shouting and shoving the caravan into some semblance of order. Kargas and his brutes ignored them and went to the rear of the column, looking ready to slit throats. Addas wasn’t sure if that was down to their usual barely concealed rage, or if they were still wary of the Jiddai. Either way, that left the Bury humans guarding the baggage in the middle of the caravan while the dwarves took up the lead. As before, Addas would be out in front.

He found Prince Falthen and Gesli at the head of the column. The patchwork map was out and they were arguing with Levi. Gerta waited a few steps back, large and silent as usual.

Snat tapped Addas’ shoulder. “Sounds like the fat man was right; the stunties don’t like what he found in the tower.”

“So what do I do?” Addas asked.

The goblin jabbed his ribs with the same bony finger. “You’re the scout, you big idiot. Go find out where we’re going.”

Reluctantly, Addas kicked his heels and counted it a small victory when Horse actually moved forward. He pulled up beside Gerta just as the dwarf brothers rode off in a huff, leaving Levi looking annoyed.

“That went well,” Gerta said.

“No one respects scholars anymore,” Levi answered. “Small wonder the gods went mad.”

He maneuvered his own mount over to Gerta and Addas, then reached into a pocket and pulled out a withered brown apple. After a huge bite, he offered the rest to Horse. Horse, in turn, took one sniff then swallowed it whole. Levi smiled and stroked the animal’s muzzle.

“Does everyone know more about horses than me?” Addas asked.

“Probably,” Snat and Levi answered together. Gerta shrugged.

“Fine. Just tell me where we’re going,” Addas said to Levi.

The scholar raised his hands in protest. “Me? How should I know?”

“You were just talking to them. I thought they listened to you,” Addas said. “What about the papers you found in Eresh’s library?”

“Dwarves like to think they’re smart and fair-minded,” Levi laughed. “In the end, they usually do what they wanted all along.”

“Not just a dwarf thing,” Gerta noted.

“So you don’t know where we’re going,” Addas continued.

“Not for certain, no. But I’m looking forward to finding out.” Levi smiled broadly, then rode off. Addas got another shrug from Gerta before she followed after.

“Great.” Addas gingerly kicked his heels once again.

Prince Falthen and Gesli had joined the other dwarf brothers, Thornar and Baern, and the four of them were jabbering like crows in their own language.

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