Severance by Fergal F. Nally

Author:Fergal F. Nally [Nally, Fergal F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fergal F Nally
Published: 2013-12-25T06:00:00+00:00

~

Agathe burst through the trees into the clearing where the tower lay. Her senses prickled. Something was different. The tower was there but its outline. It was ruined. Ivy ran rampant around its walls.

“Care Agathe, we need to exercise care,” Q’uaina’s concerned voice whispered from behind.

Agathe heard the words but did not heed them. Instead, she rushed forwards under the cold stars and reached the walls of the tower. Q’uaina let out a low curse and held back, alert. Somewhere above an owl’s cry tore through the night.

Q’uaina watched aghast as shadows rose out of the ground behind Agathe, flanking her in seconds. Agathe was absorbed in what lay in front of her. She came to the tower’s entrance. It should not be visible, she thought. She did not hesitate, instead ran through into the courtyard and there saw the destruction.

“Father, father, where are you?”

She went into the great hall. Smashed table, chairs. Acrid smoke hung in the air. Then up the stairs to her father’s quarters, the tingle of magic in the air. Her father’s sense lingered in this place. How much time had elapsed here while they had been away in the Shiffante realm? The ruin and growth around the tower spoke volumes.

A noise behind. Arms grabbed her roughly and foetid breath spilled onto her. Agathe struggled in the half darkness but her captors were too many and too strong. Then something was pressed to her mouth and nose, a sweet smell. Her senses dulled and she lost consciousness entering a world of darkness.

The shadowy figures bundled her limp form into a net and carried her back down the stairs and into the clearing outside the tower. There, two figures were waiting on horseback. The horses’ flanks were covered in sweat and their breath misted the cold night air.

S’Jukdara leant forwards on his mount and spoke to his vampire companion.

“At last we’re getting somewhere, I thought these rats would never show up. All that time wasted on the coast…”

LeSouris smiled. The failings of the drow nation were well known; patience was not one of their strengths.

“This one will take us to the Shard, we are close. I know it. It is out there somewhere waiting to be taken. Her father was useful but slippery; we will not let this one escape. Come let’s go.”

LeSouris took Agathe’s bound form and secured her to his mount. The two riders wheeled around and raced off into the darkness, their cloaks billowing behind them.

The shadowy forms they left behind shivered, becoming indistinct and disappeared back into the ground in front of the tower.

Q’uaina watched in horror from the cover of the forest. She was torn, her heart screamed at her to break cover and attack Agathe’s captors. Reason however, prevailed and she held back clutching her short bow. She saw the two riders take Agathe and head west. She witnessed the shadowy figures change and disappear into the earth. One of them was slower than the others and within range.

She drew her bow, steadied her breath and took aim.

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