The Bones of the World: An Epic Fantasy Series (Kingdom of Ghosts Book 3) by Victor Gischler

Author:Victor Gischler [Gischler, Victor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2023-11-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

“Merrik Niles.” Nina wrinkled her nose, the stench obviously disagreeing with her. “This cannot really be the only way into the ducal palace.”

“You wanted to be my bodyguard,” Merrik reminded her. “This is where my body is.”

“I’m with her,” Dobber said. “This place stinks.”

Merrik snapped his mouth shut on his response. He understood all too well their attitude. It had nothing to do with the unpleasant tunnels of the Salt Sewers.

They’re afraid. They’re being led through the depths of the world with a ghost for a guide they can’t even see. Of course, they’re afraid.

Merrik realized at that moment he wasn’t afraid, and it surprised him.

Probably because I’m too stupid to be afraid.

Merrik had led them to the concealed entrance to the Salt Sewers where Vinton had taken him a few days ago. Dair had arranged it. The ghost would meet them, guide them down to the sea tunnels where they’d meet Lee’s soldiers, then guide them all into the palace.

Merrik’s friends were brave. They wanted to accompany him, to prove a loyalty he didn’t deserve.

But one whiff of the Salt Sewer, and they were second guessing how much they really cared for Merrik Niles after all.

“It gets a lot worse,” he told them. “If you think it stinks now, just wait. Turn back if you can’t take it.”

Much grumbling followed, but nobody turned back.

Jin led the way, holding a lantern aloft. Then came Merrik holding Dair’s hand. Then Nina, then Dobber bringing up the rear with another lantern. They’d only just ventured into the tunnels, waiting for Vinton to come show them the way.

An eerie glow leaked in from a side tunnel, slowly growing stronger until suddenly Vinton was there, standing before them.

“I ask you one last time, Merrik Niles.” Vinton’s voice echoed strangely along the tunnel, like he was somehow very near yet far away at the same time. “You have come to foil this upstart hunchback’s plans, yes? To take his life if you can.”

“All of the above,” Merrik said. “Rodwik is our enemy.”

“Then follow me, and step quickly,” Vinton told him. “There is far to go, and the tides allow us only a narrow window.”

Vinton turned and headed down a narrow passage.

Merrik paused before following and looked back at his friends, remembering that other than Dair, they couldn’t see the ghost. Curiosity was plain on their faces even in the dim lantern light.

“That was just me talking to the ghost,” Merrik explained. “And not me talking to nobody like a crazy person.”

Dair looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

“That sounded a lot more reassuring in my head,” Merrik admitted.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.