Scion of Dragonclaw by Lucas Thorn

Author:Lucas Thorn [Thorn, Lucas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, Norse, Sword & Sorcery, grimdark
Publisher: Lateral Books
Published: 2018-01-03T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

“So. You’re the one.” The room was wide. No ornaments on the walls. Plain wooden floor.

A chair, in the middle. Nothing ornate about it.

Seated in it, a man almost as big as an ork.

Face chiselled into the bone. Solid. Crooked nose.

Few scars. Mostly on his bare arms.

Big arms. Muscle built on muscle.

Long brown hair tied tight.

Dressed in loose pants and tight shirt. Clean clothes. Neat. Simple. Almost military.

Seated with legs apart. Across his knees, two heavy hatchets. Hands resting comfortably over the crescent blades.

He looked calm.

Looked relaxed.

It was a facade and she knew it. Inside, he was coiled like a snake. Ready to move with sickening speed.

But, for now, he reserved his energy.

Waiting.

Waiting, she realised with a scowl, for her.

He looked her up and down, deep brown eyes growing unimpressed by the lengthened silence. “Well, I have to say, long-ear. You don’t look like much.”

“Heard it ain’t what’s on the outside which counts,” the elf said. Padded carefully into the room. Wary of any guards who might rush inside.

“And you’re more interested in what’s on the inside,” he said. Disgusted. “Yeah, I saw what you did to the others. Tore them to fucking pieces. Weren’t no call for that.”

The elf shrugged.

Had nothing to say.

He watched her, not moving. “If you’re looking for my bodyguards, they ain’t here.” He jerked a head toward the door. “And that’s locked. Barred, too. This is personal for me, so I didn’t want them in here. Wanted it to be like this. Just me and you. See, I liked Hari. One of my father’s more pleasant visitors. I spent time in Moontide a few years back and she showed me around. She didn’t deserve what you did to her. Cutting out her tongue? And taking Aegir’s liver? Was that my father’s idea? Or that just part of your service?”

The elf’s eyes slitted.

“I don’t get what you’re talking about feller.”

He barked a laugh. Contempt choking it off quick. “You dare to stand in front of me covered in her blood and say that?”

Nysta looked down at her jacket.

Absently wiped a stain.

“Ain’t hers,” she said. “Well. Most of it ain’t.”

“So, you did kill her.” Satisfied.

“Ain’t arguing that.”

“And Aegir?”

“That the feller trying to take a piss?”

Scowl. “He was a good man.”

“They all are.”

“And you killed him!”

“Reckon so.” Circling to his right. She switched A Flaw in the Glass to her left. He didn’t seem bothered by the move.

“Then why deny it?”

“You said I cut her tongue out? And his liver?”

“You know what you did!”

“Sure do, feller.”

“Is this a game? You’re trying to confuse me.”

“Reckon we’re both confused, feller. But let’s clear the air.” She nodded. More out of respect for the skill she was guessing he possessed. “I killed her. Killed him. Few others. Whole lot more in the passages back there. Guards, mostly. And a bunch of Bonebreakers who’ve been up my ass all night. Figured I’d sort them out when I’m done here. Some place quiet. Those who’re left, anyways. Now, you’re saying between all that, I’ve been sitting around playing with my targets.

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