Harrowdeep (Warhammer Age of Sigmar) by Gary Kloster & Noah Van Nguyen & David Annandale

Author:Gary Kloster & Noah Van Nguyen & David Annandale [Kloster, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2022-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

When we find Dhoraz, he is so obviously the lure of another trap I almost laugh.

The Giant-Fell hangs by a length of ratty, fraying rope above a cluster of stalagmites. His suspensions are secured in the stalactites above. He looks terrible, like a piece of bait-meat hanging in the cave’s rocky maw. Cataracts of black water pour down the jagged cavern walls, puddling in the floor. Shadows and vapor curl and mist in the air.

Luxa and I halt at the cave entrance. Dhoraz moans. His armour is marred in a thousand places, his strength no doubt sapped by cold and poison and pain.

Luxa squeezes my arm. ‘Xandire,’ she says.

‘I know. Another ambush.’

She nods emphatically. ‘We must be quick. His calls will attract other creatures.’

I recall the crawling leviathan we glimpsed under the Shadowsea and again in the Cannibal Palace. I remember the grind of chewed stone from its passage, the bilious reek of meat from its horned maw. Luxa’s right. If we are to save Dhoraz, we must hurry.

‘Remain here,’ I say. ‘Keep watch.’

I go to handle Dhoraz but she stops me. ‘Taros,’ she says, stroking the aetherwing’s plumage. ‘Fly swiftly. Do not let Calthia from your sight.’

Taros coos. Then he soars up into the cave, threading through the mists around Dhoraz. The Giant-Fell is as torpid and suffering as the caged prisoners he sought to free. He cranes his head languidly, slurring threats against unseen enemies. The Kruleboyz’ poisons have burned the reason from his mind.

I must be wary. The Kunnin’ Krew bested us before by anticipating our choices and character. Mannok knew we’d be confident. He knew we’d cut the ropes on the causeway, either to put his captives from their misery or simply to pass. He knew we’d seek cover, then help each other after those first traps were sprung.

I must assume he’s used the same insights here. A less cautious rescuer might attempt scaling the stalagmites beneath Dhoraz to reach him.

That, then, is exactly what I must not do. Mannok cannot be underestimated.

I approach from a different angle. I circumvent the stalagmite grove, moving carefully over treacherous flows of water, eyeing each step with utmost care. As I negotiate the stone and trickling waters, I fix my eyes on the shadows and rushing cataracts on the walls, lest the orruks emerge and attack. Yet all remains quiet. If the greenskins are here, then they are patient hunters indeed.

When I discover their trap in full, I choke back a relieved chuckle. Their ploy was utterly clever. The most accessible handholds and footholds in the stalagmites have been hollowed out. That rock cannot support much weight. The slightest pressure would have seen any climber collapse the stone no matter their caution.

At the base of the stalagmites, the water and swirling shadows almost conceal a nest of iron spikes salvaged from Harrowdeep’s Khainite iron, likely recycled from those cages. The spars are driven into the stone, angled to impale and trap any unfortunate victims who fall from above.

My gaze wanders up.

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.