Simon Blackfyre and the Enemy Within: Book 3 of the Simon Blackfyre sword and sorcery epic fantasy series by A. J. Callen

Author:A. J. Callen [Callen, A. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A. J. Callen Books
Published: 2019-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Those Unseen Among Us

Simon pushed back against the ferocious creature a head taller than himself, struggling to keep its frothy snapping jaws away from his neck; scaly, hook-fingered hands scratched at his face and drew bright blood in a fine trickle from his cheek.

Tanca, his scabrous face a hideous mockery of his former self, seethed with vile hatred through wild, yellow reptilian eyes and twisted teeth.

Another screech from the ceiling ensued before Elric fell shrieking to the floor.

Callor yelled and Simon lost sight of him in the terrifying tumult of unarmed protectors fleeing for their lives.

The thing pressed down, inching its clicking teeth toward Simon’s face. It reared for a final strike and in that instant, he glimpsed a fiery glow and flash of steel behind its grotesque head. The blade struck true in a sweeping arc, severing the eye-popping head cleanly from the body. The headless corpse fell off him to the floor oozing rancid, murky blood.

Lord Lionsbury, panting and with rivulets of sweat flowing down his face, stared at what was once the head of the sworn and trusted protector, Tanca Nakashian. “He… he was going to kill you. There was no other way.”

“On that, we agree, your Lordship.” Callor, bloodied and scratched, stumbled to the center of the floor. He tossed Elric’s foul-smelling head next to Tanca’s.

Lord Dowrick patted him on the back. “Well done, Callor. The creature attacked me from behind before I could draw my blade. If you had not acted decisively and without hesitation, I would surely have been his next victim. You have saved my life and Lord Rabek shall receive a full report of your bravery this day.”

Callor wiped the spattered blood from his face and bowed. “Most kind, my lord.”

Dowrick adverted his eyes and cleared his throat. “We have all made mistakes and been deceived as to the true nature of our enemy, I no less than any of you.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, my lord. The righteous might of our great Kingdom's nobility shall prevail.”

“Yes, it shall.” Dowrick pointed at the headless corpses on the bloody marble floor and addressed all present. “And know this. Those things before you were no longer your friends the moment they became willing allies of our unholy enemy. Understanding that is the only way our new King can lead and save his people from this unspeakable foe.”

Marcus stood shaking, stunned by the macabre scene before him, his sword still in its scabbard. Lord Lionsbury placed his hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “Steady yourself. It’s all right. It’s over now.”

Marcus turned to him. “Is it? This time I did not raise my sword yet next time will I raise it against one of my brothers or they against me?”

Lord Lionsbury lowered his gaze. “You followed my orders, Marcus. Lord Rabek shall enter a full account of your faithful obedience and respect.”

“What? Like a trained dog, my lord? Is that the king our people deserve?”

A contemptuous expression hardened his features. Marcus turned on his heel and marched out of the door.

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