Destiny of the Dead by Kel Kade

Author:Kel Kade
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

CHAPTER 17

Mory peered through the tiny spaces between the thick branches of the tree. He had never seen such a tree before reaching the eastern edge of the Uyanian plain. Its branches were spaced close together like a bush, but the tree was taller than he by three or four times. The leaves were sharp, thin, spiny things that scraped his arms when he brushed against them but nicely hid him from view.

“You done yet, boy?” said a gruff voice. “Yer back end is gonna fall off if you stay like that for much longer.”

“I’ll stay like this forever if it means not going into those ruins.” Mory knew Bear was right, though. He wiped himself with some of the broader leaves that dotted the ground, pulled up his pants, then stepped from his hiding place. His stomach soured as the looming towers entered his field of view.

“You’ve never struck me as a coward,” said Bear.

“I’m no coward. I’ve just been close to death enough for one lifetime.”

“Yeah, well, from what you’ve said, this is a different lifetime for you.”

Mory paused to think about that. Bear was right. He was on his second life, and he hadn’t died in that life yet. Still. “What if it’s different for me in there? You know I can see things others can’t. What if it’s too much?”

“Seems to me it’s better to see the enemy than not,” said Bear.

“I think that depends on whether or not the enemy can see you,” said Mory. “What if we’re no realer to them than they are to us? Except for me.”

“Bah, it’s prob’ly just a bunch of grifters who done come up with this plan to keep folks from finding their hideout. Ghosts aren’t real.”

“I was a ghost for a little while.”

“Hmm, prob’ly just a bad dream. Anyhow, we got to get going. It’s time.”

Tohl Gueron wasn’t what Mory had expected. He had thought to find a gloomy relic of a forgotten era with crumbling walls, toppled towers, and carrion birds roosting in the rafters beneath every broken roof. Instead, he found it to be a welcoming sight of well-preserved buildings, mostly two stories or less, each colorfully painted in varying hues of blue and green. Most of the roofs were sturdily made of grey terracotta tiles, but a few that had been composed of wooden shingles had collapsed. The enchanted community fountains that graced the common areas still gushed, although a thick layer of algae had coated the statues and bowls. All of this, Mory could see from outside the gates that were open but still securely attached to the walls that enclosed the city.

He followed Bear to where the marquess stood discussing the structures with the engineers. Daniga and Peck weren’t present. They were supposed to be off with the other scouts searching for signs of life—or unlife—and a way into the city. Mory was to be the go-between if someone needed to get a message to the others.

“Anythin’?” said Bear.

“No. It appears truly abandoned.

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