Konrad [02] - Shadowbreed by David Ferring

Author:David Ferring [Ferring, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy games
ISBN: 9780743443012
Publisher: Games Workshop
Published: 2004-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

A split second, that was all he needed. He knew that he would have to keep totally alert because the right moment must inevitably come — and finally it did.

When Gertraut and Rita changed places, that was the most likely time to attempt an escape, but they were never alone. One of the dwarfs was always there, guarding the door.

He heard the bolt being drawn back, but Gertraut had entered the room no more than an hour earlier. Varsung came in. Whenever he or Litzenreich appeared, one of the other dwarfs always stood outside in the corridor. This time, the passage was empty. It was only half a chance, but that was more than sufficient. Varsung stood with his back to Konrad, speaking to Gertraut.

Konrad sat up quickly, spinning around and reaching out for the hilt of the dwarf’s sword. Once it was in his hand, he used both legs to kick the dwarf away. Then he sprang up, dashed out of the door, turned into the passage. But somehow his legs gave way beneath him, and he fell to the ground.

“I am glad to see you can move,” said Litzenreich, who was standing a few yards away.

Konrad was still holding Varsung’s sword, but he offered no resistance when the dwarf removed it from his grip. He realized he had been tricked. They knew he was not as weak as he pretended. It appeared, however, that he was far weaker than he himself thought.

He picked himself up, his head spinning.

“What do you want with me?” he said.

“What do you want with me?” the wizard repeated. “Is that it? Is that the first thing you have to say? Not ‘Thank you for rescuing me’? Gratitude. Courtesy. Have you ever heard of those words? Do they exist where you come from?”

Konrad leaned against the wall, and nodded slowly.

“What is your name?” asked Litzenreich.

“Konrad.”

“Where are you from?”

“A village several days from here, but I’ve been in Kislev for five years.”

“Take him back inside,” said Litzenreich.

Varsung and Gertraut helped Konrad into the chamber where he had been kept, and sat him down on the mattress. Gertraut filled a beaker of water.

“Haven’t you got any beer?” said Konrad. “I’m fed up with water.”

“I think he’s about recovered, boss,” said Varsung, grinning.

“So it appears.” Litzenreich stepped into the room. “Leave us. Fetch him some ale.”

The other two departed. The door was closed, but it was left unlocked. Litzenreich was a wizard; he did not need bolts to keep Konrad his prisoner. He sat down in the one chair, and they gazed at one another.

Konrad glanced away, not wishing to become mesmerized.

“Thank you,” he said, finally, in order to break the silence.

As if that were a signal, Gertraut returned, handed Konrad a tankard brimming with beer, then left.

“What do I want with you?” asked Litzenreich, echoing Konrad’s earlier question. “Nothing.”

Konrad stared at him. He was more suspicious than ever. The wizard must want something. He wiped at his lips with the back of his hand. “Nothing?”

“As soon as you are fully healed, you are free to go.

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.