City of Thieves by Kyle Alexander Romines

Author:Kyle Alexander Romines [Romines, Kyle Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci Fi & Fantasy
Published: 2019-06-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Morwen looked from Berengar to Cathán and back again. “The druid responsible for the purges?”

Berengar’s gaze remained fixed on Cathán’s inhuman visage. “This must be some kind of trick. He’s dead.”

“You of all people should know better than that, Warden Berengar. Do you remember how I pleaded for death after you crushed my hands and held my face to the flames? But you wouldn’t grant me even that small mercy, would you? You left me to live with the pain of my loss.” Cathán returned the skull to its proper place over his face. “You should have finished the job.”

“How did you survive?” If the crowds didn’t kill Cathán, his wounds should have.

“Even without the use of my hands, I had strength enough to escape the city. I fled west, deep into the Elderwood, to die. Then I heard it. The voice of something other.”

“What did you say?” A shiver ran down his spine. He had heard those words before.

“You know of what I speak. A giant with one terrible red eye.”

Berengar’s blood ran cold. “Balor.”

“The King of the Fomorians spoke to me at the point of death. He offered me new life in return for my service. I drank the blood of the Wither Tree and was reborn in this form, more powerful than any druid before me.”

Azura’s eyes widened in alarm. “The Wither Tree is evil. Its cursed blood comes at the price of your soul.”

“I surrendered it willingly.” The druid’s attention lingered on her. “One of the fair folk. How unexpected. You were hidden from my sight in Dún Aulin.” He turned his attention to Morwen. “You, I saw. You have some skill for one so young. There is power in your blood.”

Morwen brandished her staff as a defensive weapon. “It’s not my blood you should concern yourself with.”

Teelah shot Morwen a look clearly meant to dissuade her from antagonizing Cathán any further. “The magician is not like the others. She should not be harmed.”

“Of course. We needn’t be enemies, girl. Magical blood is much too valuable to shed idly. Give me the rune, and I will teach you long-forgotten knowledge and raise you to power hitherto undreamed of.”

“Sorry. I make it a point not to trust anyone who hides his face behind a skull—or anyone who uses the word ‘hitherto’ in a sentence. I’m fine where I am, thank you very much.”

Cathán’s voice became a hiss, frightening even some of the goblins. “We are more than human. This world is ours, not theirs, and yet the two of you stand with him? He who butchered goblins by the hundreds and slaughtered my companions at Dún Aulin. The others only wanted to protect magic and nonhumans, and he murdered them for it.”

Berengar pointed his axe at Cathán. “I was there. I saw the alchemists crucified outside the gates. The herbalists hung from the walls. The magicians stoned in the streets. The very people you claimed you wanted to protect. How many innocents died because of you

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