Terror At The Temple (Book 3) by Craig Halloran

Author:Craig Halloran [Halloran, Craig]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Two-Ten Book Press
Published: 2014-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

Evil glee on his face, Finnius the Cleric slapped his hands together.

“Headed towards Quintuklen! My, that’s perfect, maybe too perfect, but I’ll take my chances. You’ve done well, Pixlyn, very well indeed.”

The Pixlyn stood back inside his cage, tiny hands wrapped around the bars, speaking shrill words of fairy kind. Along his side in her own cage, the female Pixlyn sat, knees folded up in her arms.

“Certainly, I’ll let you go,” Finnius said, leering down at the cage. “I’ll let you both go, just as soon as I’m… FINISHED WITH YOU!” He motioned for one of the Acolytes. “Cover them both. I’ve no need of them at this moment.”

The acolytes each dropped a heavy dark cloth over a cage and bowed their bald heads at Finnius. He nodded. It wasn’t so long ago that he was one of them. A lowly cleric, given a simple task of confronting Nath Dragon. He had a limp to show for it, but that was all it had taken. Selene was pleased with his success. He’d earned her trust, which was no small matter. Now he had the tattoos and greater power to show for it.

“Follow me,” he said, leaving one chamber for another.

The temple rooms were an excellent sanctuary for evil. Tucked in the rocky folds of the hills east of Quintuklen, they didn’t get many trespassers in the long-abandoned temple. It was easy to keep secrets that way. And the constant howl of the winds kept the staunchest adventurers away.

“Nath Dragon,” he said, laughing a little, “falling right into our hands. The High Priestess will be pleased, pleased indeed.”

Down a short set of stone steps he went, torches bristling in the stiff wind, leading them into a chamber of worship. The Draykis hissed as he entered. The accompanying Lizard Men stood at attention, spears crossed over their chests.

“At ease; I’ve news to share,” he said, walking over to the cage of the yellow Dragon they’d caught days earlier and squatting down. Eyes closed, it didn’t budge an inch. “It seems our game is close. Close indeed, and if we plan and stay prepared, we can lead our prey right here.”

“Just tell us where he is, Finnius,” the winged Draykis said. “We shall go and kill him.”

The Draykis towered over him, fists clenched at its sides, fiery eyes boring down on him.

Finnius's hand fell to the symbol of Barnabus that hung from his neck.

“Back up,” he said, “and mind your distance, Creature.”

“Hah, Mortal, don’t be so certain that amulet will protect you. It’s you who should show respect,” it said, clutching the long claws on its fingers.

Unruly. The dead are so unruly. Finnius squeezed the amulet tight.

“Barnabus!”

A wave of dark and eerie light burst forth, knocking the Draykis from their feet. The amulet shimmered, ebbed, then returned to form: two bronze Dragon heads facing outward. Each different; both evil.

“I’ve been dying to do that,” he said. “Now, as you can see, we have many prisoners that need protection.”

Scowling, the Draykis rose back to their feet, looking around.

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