Dreamslayers: A Legends of Ansu Fantasy by Webb J.W

Author:Webb, J.W. [Webb, J.W. ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-09-07T00:00:00+00:00

***

Later that night, Arraleen watched from the window as Grodu snored in the small room across the landing. The gibbous moon rose over the cowsheds and she saw a flicker of light off to the west. Lightning perhaps, but hard to be sure. Grodu and his garrulous contact had spoken long into the night. He’d most likely consumed half a keg of that awful brew. She’d rested her body but kept her eyes open and ears tuned.

She felt irritable. Even more than usual. Her lip itched. Things had gotten out of hand. She’d always guided her life, even as a child. Willful and headstrong, she’d been called. And especially after her mother died so cruelly.

The one person I loved without bitterness.

She’d watched the illness fester. Seen Anyarvana’s beautiful face wither and fade. And she screamed at her to stay. Pleaded and begged. Mother! And he’d done nothing. Her hero, her father. Nothing. Save weep alongside her. While the gods fucking laughed. Except cold Agarra, who alone of them knew what it was to lose everything. That’s why She still hunted the night sky, searching for her stolen soul.

Her mother left them during the rains all those bitter years ago, the sun’s warmth departing with her. Arraleen had died that day too, leaving behind an angry young woman who wanted payback from the malign gods for the pain they’d caused her and her family.

Her father had never remarried, but instead doted on the dull-eyed leman who gave him those soppy daughters. Since that time, she’d kept her own counsel, even with her father. But he’d got his way recently, and here she was in this grim place—with an enemy who’d betrayed them and yet claimed he wanted to help her.

And she knew nothing of these people. Olbray and his greasy smiles. Kelgar the Terrible, or whatever they called him. And slippery Trendale, also a smiler. The only Dalcian she’d met with honor was Crastus of Kamor outside her home. She wondered what had happened to him. Most likely executed by the Yanturi, along with the others who’d failed to snare her and her father.

She yawned. I’m so damned tired.

The light flashed again. Off in the woods this time. Closer. That wasn’t lightning, and the clouds were racing past the moon but showed no sign of rain. This was no storm brewing.

Someone’s out there.

On impulse, she rolled free of the blankets and strapped her scimitars to her belt. She stole a glance at Grodu, currently sprawled on his face, the big sword pinned underneath his body. Pig ugly, and out cold. She ventured down the rickety stairs and saw the glimmer of light coming from over by the cattle stores. She glimpsed the other light again off in the woods.

Someone was signaling they were here. Olbray to Trendale? Olgasha perhaps? Didn’t matter, she needed to leave. She berated herself for allowing Grodu win her over by coming here. He’d probably just wanted ale and food. Driven by his stomach like most men. Let him deal with whoever was out there.

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.