Summer's War by Jeremy Graves

Author:Jeremy Graves [Jeremy Graves]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Decharlathan Publishing LLC
Published: 2022-08-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

It reminded him of snow. The memories of being back with Raine, traveling the frozen tundra of Winter, all seemed to flow over him. Jack looked at the broad swath of ash as he cut through Summer’s jungles.

The part of him who wanted Joobel back at all costs was fighting the part of him who needed to remain a man she could love. Behind him stood lone trees, old and tall, untouched by his fire. They dotted the landscape, each containing a dryad.

The rare tree spirits would be innocent of the kingdom’s crimes. He took the heat that would have burned them. A few more trees remained as well, homes to the fauna that were too young or sick to flee his wrath; he spared them whenever he felt their presence.

The efreets were cheap to maintain. They required a massive amount of energy to summon, but once present, they seemed to work like Claire’s zombies. But the Demon Prince didn’t trust his minions.

Time and time again, they took his orders and tried to run along the edge of his meaning. He had to be stern and clear as to how much damage they could do, or each would commit gleeful torture and murder in his name.

The battle of wills was exhausting, and he hadn’t slept in over two days. The last time he tried, his band of vile creatures almost tore an entire village apart. The prince was so tired at this point that his dreams were happening even while he remained awake.

The hallucinations seemed to dangle before him, just at the edge of his vision. Yet as he trudged forward, he found only more jungle. More fuel. More ash.

The flakes of grey were so thick in the air that he daydreamed of another trip to Winter. He thought of the time with Raine, one of the few people he was comfortable being around. He missed his cousin, and that strange way she could make most things into a joke.

He longed for Joobel to embrace him and then assault his ears with more information than he could hope to process. Right now, he’d gladly listen to Gray drone on about some nonsense just to hear the man’s voice. Jack needed a lecture from his sister. He required a hound to wiggle against his leg.

Instead, he trudged forward, deep into the heart of a hostile kingdom. His only company was a strange steed of ash and flame, along with murderous flame imps that seemed to wait for him to let them loose upon the world.

Even now, he could see an army approaching. A stampede of minotaurs charged at him. A herd of centaurs rode behind them. Mounted casters and soldiers rolled ever forward. The heartless queen of this land had sent even more foolish beings to their deaths.

The prince waited. It wouldn’t be the first time if his vision proved false. This, too, could be a waking dream. The distant figures might fade as he moved on.

For several minutes Jack watched the troops at the edge of his flame-lit vision.

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