Oaths of Life and Death by L. Cyrus Whelchel

Author:L. Cyrus Whelchel [L. Cyrus Whelchel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Luka Whelchel
Published: 2023-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XVI

Despite being on the run, Kai felt the last two days passed in relative peace. Teos confessed the trip downriver would be extended by two additional days. After their escape, the smuggler checked the Gulley’s supplies and discovered over half their coal missing; more than likely fallen overboard during their escape. The party would need to stop at one of the river’s numerous refueling stations by morning. If they didn’t, the rest of the trip was a dream at best.

He knew the tranquility couldn’t last forever. The Liberators wouldn’t spend too long licking their wounds after the debacle at Faith Hollow. No, they’d be madder than a kicked hornet’s nest and seeking revenge.

Leaning against a makeshift cushion fashioned from blankets, Kai took in the colorful sunset. By tomorrow, they would enter the central forests where Runegard lay. The thought of returning to the forest filled Kai with contentment. He could already hear the sounds in his mind. The twittering of birds, the low grunts of the deer, and rustling leaves in the wind.

Thinking back, he realized the last time he was in a forest was five moons ago. Gazing at the passing trees, he thought about the moons his squad spent tromping in the grasslands before Mistport. Thinking of the squad sent Kai’s thoughts into another downward spiral. His shoulders drooped, his body slumping against the crate.

Kai reached for his watch, tightening his grip on it. The timepiece felt like a heavy anchor on his chest whenever he thought of Grimghast. Did he really deserve his Brand after what happened? He should’ve been able to stop that monster. But he couldn’t.

He failed.

“Everything alright, ‘pothy?” Kai jumped hearing Morgan’s voice behind him. The sellsword gave a barking laugh, sitting down next to the Norzen. “You look like a dead ringer for my Pop after Mam passed on. What’s eating ya?”

Side eying Morgan, Kai’s fist clenched. “My mind keeps going back to what happened at Mistport,” he started. “As far as we knew, it should have been a routine disposal mission. Find out what was attacking people and exterminate it. We’d done dozens of missions like it before. Instead, we ended up facing something never seen before.”

“Aye,” said Morgan. “I’ll remember that bloody monster till the day I die. Whatever that Grimghast is, it’s unnatural. You going to go back to kill it one day?”

Kai admitted he thought about it. The situation was out of his hands now, considering he sent a carrier hawk back to Havenfall while at Faith Hollow. The final decision was up to the Hunter Corps’ commander. Kai guessed they wouldn’t be able to deal with Grimghast until after the war.

Assuming the Royalists won, of course.

A thud from above drew the men’s attention upwards, where Maple stared at them. “You boys look way too serious. Relax. We have a few more days together, so chin up,” she chirped. Maple beckoned the others to join them.

“I must confess, I hoped we would reach our destination sooner, but there is not much we can do,” said Lucretia with a discouraged sigh.

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.