Gauntlet of Iniquity (The Azuleah Trilogy Book 2) by Daniel Adorno

Author:Daniel Adorno [Adorno, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Lost Coin Press
Published: 2016-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

NEROTERRA

The Golden Plains were barren in the early winter days in Joppa. A cold breeze rushed through the short yellow grass of the hills that adorned the countryside. The land was often used for crop farming, but the harvest had long since ended and the fields were largely abandoned. The farming communities did not reside so far on the northern fringes of the plains due to the proximity of the protected forest surrounding Neroterra.

From atop his horse, Lucius could see the first trees lining the forest and their bare branches, gnarled from age and almost warding off unwelcome visitors. They’d set out ten days ago, and the journey had been rough. With the onset of the winter cold, the nights camping on the open plain left him chilled to the marrow. The wind was no comfort either. With little tree cover to block them from the unpredictable winter gales in this country, he spent most days shivering on horseback.

Besides the cold, Lucius also contended with his poor riding skills as he kept pace with experienced Drachengarde riders. Even Siegfried had ridden his fair share of horses throughout his long life, but Lucius had not been so privileged. Living amid the towering height of the Breninmaur, there was little need or use for horses. No stables were kept either in the city or in the forest of Verdania. Protectors were known for their skills on foot, not on beasts of burden. Now as he rode with thighs aching from the effort, he sorely lamented that fact.

Despite the discomfort, the bay mare he rode was at least friendly toward him. She gladly followed the few commands he knew and was not a stubborn horse. Her name was Pennalyta, a regal name befitting a horse from the king’s stables. But Lucius decided to simply call her Penna.

The company of seven stopped about a mile from the outskirts of the Neroterra forest at Silas’ order. Judging by the sun’s position in the sky, Lucius guessed that it was around four o’clock in the afternoon. Light was dwindling on the plain, and he knew their plan to infiltrate the forest past nightfall would soon take action.

“We’ll eat and rest for a few hours before we enter the forest. The orcs guard the southern perimeter, but their scouts are slow to get news into the city. It’s the advantage we’ll have riding on horseback since orcs despise riding,” Silas explained as he unsaddled his mare, Arabella.

All seven members of the company, which included the dwarf, Ulric, followed Silas’ lead and unsaddled their own steeds. After tying Penna’s reins on a nearby tree stump, Lucius sat down and chomped on a piece of salted pork as Ulric started a fire. The dwarf had eagerly joined the party after the Drachengarde extended the invitation. While the others seem to grow more restless with each mile closer to Neroterra, Ulric grew more jubilant at the prospect of facing the orcs. Silas reminded him multiple times that the mission was to avoid bloodshed unless absolutely necessary.

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