Tanys Defiant by Hunter Andrew

Author:Hunter, Andrew [Hunter, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2010-06-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Deep shadows pooled in the narrow streets and alleyways of the Abyssal Keep. Cold gray skylight hung above, draped between the stark silhouettes of black stone buildings. The ruddy light from pitch torches perched in iron sconces on the walls glistened on the perpetually damp flagstones beneath Tanys’ feet. Her thin, beaded sandals slipped and turned treacherously on the icy stones. The dank air was dead and breezeless, but cold enough to bite through the thin linen shift that the ghast captain, Costa, had given her to wear. Beside her walked Misha, likewise clad, and they leaned close to one another for warmth and support as they walked. The captain, warm beneath his heavy coat, followed close behind them, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, the other holding a coiled leather whip, that tapped rhythmically against his thigh.

He grunted once, indicating a particular alley with a wave of the coiled whip, and Tanys stepped into the deeper shadow of the narrow passageway, leading down into the darkest section of the evil citadel. Warm air whistled up the twisting corridor, reeking of urine and things long dead. Misha walked closely now behind Tanys, tightly grasping her hand. Tanys could feel the quickening of the girl’s pulse as they approached their destination and sense the unspoken terror of what lay ahead. At last, the ghast captain ordered them to halt at the base of a broad low stone stairway, leading up to a foul and rusted iron door in the otherwise featureless wall of a squat building of rough-hewn basalt blocks.

The captain rapped the wooden handle of his whip furtively against the iron, and a shadow briefly darkened the single tiny window of red glass in the center of the door.

A violent wrenching noise split the air as the door swung wide showering the landing with flakes of rust. A hunched and leering old ghast with wild silver hair and a grin like a starving rat framed the doorway. The ghast loomed large above them, stripped to the waist against the heat of the chamber beyond the door, long ragged scars laced across his broad, gray-haired chest. “Welcome back, Costa,” He croaked, “I see you’ve brought treats!”

“You still haven’t gotten that door fixed, Greck” Captain Costa muttered flatly, ushering the girls into the room with a wave of the whip. “Stand there,” he ordered, and they complied, moving to a section of the barren room near a large fire pit. Greck shuffled across the room, dragging one inward-turned foot, which he then used to kick at an enormous lump of furs on the floor. The lump moved, mumbling a curse, and from it emerged an even larger man. His short-cropped black hair and rugged features marked him as human, if barely so.

“You remember Tellac?” Greck asked of the captain.

“Keeping warm?” Costa asked.

Tellac the half-giant scratched absently as his filthy brown smock and grunted in response.

“So what did you bring me?” Greck muttered, crossing to room to inspect Tanys

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