Return of the Dwarf Lords by D. P. Prior

Author:D. P. Prior
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Mystery, Sword & Sorcery, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Thriller & Suspense, Fantasy, Epic, Thriller
Publisher: Homunculus
Published: 2016-01-14T11:00:00+00:00

A DEBT REPAID

With Grimwart’s unconscious body draped over one shoulder, and Paxy slung over the other, Nameless approached the palisade of scintillant rods that marked the perimeter of the Warlord’s camp.

It would have helped having three arms, he supposed, but there was little choice: only one with the blood of a Dwarf Lord could touch the eldritch axe, and, following their conversation earlier, he wasn’t about to let anyone else take care of Grimwart. The Kryptès was his responsibility. More than that, he was his friend.

Kadee held Grimwart’s shield, and the Warlord carried his mace.

Through the barrier, Nameless could see tents of some glossy white fabric clustered about a space large enough to encompass a small village. Upward of a hundred people bustled about inside or were stationed at posts set around the perimeter, eyes glued to the dark beyond. Everyone was armed, most with long guns, but some with smaller weapons holstered at their hips.

The staves that made up the palisade were of different hues of stark light, and they each emitted hums of varying pitches. If he’d not known better, Nameless would have assumed it was magic, but he’d seen enough of Shadrak’s plane ship to hazard a different theory.

“What is this, laddie, Sektis Gandaw’s leftovers?”

Everyone knew there were artifacts from the Technocrat’s rule dotted all over Aethir and Urddynoor. Stood to reason the same technology could have reached Thanatos, too. Especially if what he’d overheard at the Forest of Lost Souls were true, and the Warlord himself had come through the portal Nameless and the others had arrived at.

“Sektis who?” the Warlord said with a shake of his head. “These are things I brought back from Urddynoor. Each time I return, I bring more supplies, weapons, anything we need to keep up the fight.”

“Question is,” Shadrak said. “Who are you fighting?”

The Warlord gestured for them all to pass between the staves of light as he answered. “The city and its rulers, for one thing, but mostly this whole damned world.”

As Nameless drew close to the barrier, the hairs on his forearms stood up, and he stepped back.

“Don’t worry,” the Warlord said. “They are attuned to the many threats Thanatos has to offer: birds, beasts, insects. The frequencies of light and sound serve as deterrents to all but the most determined of attackers.”

Nameless exchanged looks with Shadrak, neither of them keen to go first. In the end, Kadee rolled her eyes and stepped between two staves, leading the husk girl by the hand.

“Stay outside in the dark, if you like,” the Warlord said, “but I’m gasping for a cup of tea.” He passed through next, and the survivors of his group followed.

Feeling a little foolish, Nameless gritted his teeth and took a step forward. He hesitated and said, “After you, laddie.”

Shadrak sighed and shook his head. “For shog’s sake.” He swirled his cloak about him and entered the settlement on the other side of the fence of lights.

“Just being polite,” Nameless said, shutting his eyes as he stepped across the threshold.

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