The City of Cutthroats: The 13th Paladin (Volume XI) by Weitze Torsten

Author:Weitze, Torsten
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Ahren could see the body language of the men and women on the bridge changing – fists beginning to clench, the slightest shifting of weight, hands disappearing beneath long, flowing robes.

‘They are preparing for a skirmish,’ whispered Khara.

Ahren thought for a heartbeat. ‘Let’s climb down to the others,’ he said. ‘If I use Fisiniell publicly, that will blow our cover, and you and Muai won’t be able to do anything for our friends from up here once they are standing on the bridge.’

Khara nodded, the trio quickly descending and joining their companions, who were walking into what seemed a rather obvious trap.

No sooner had Lanlion placed his foot on the grubby, stone bridge when he drew his black two-hander, Ahren and his companions similarly taking hold of their weapons as they followed the Bloodless, fanning out across the width of the viaduct as they observed the group facing them, who were blocking their advance. The Forest Guardian held his Wind Blade close to his body and tried to make himself as anonymous among his companions as he could, a Blood Debtor from the Ice Islands with a weapon from the Eternal Empire undoubtedly being exotic enough to attract attention here even if he certainly wasn’t the main attraction.

Hardly had he considered this thought when Culhen leaped forward, stopped beside Lanlion, and uttered such a blood-curdling howl that even people down at the harbour must have broken into a sweat. The wolf bared his fangs, while saliva drooled down his chaps – as though he could hardly wait for his dark master to demand some human flesh.

This role is so easy to play, explained Culhen in Ahren’s mind. Especially as I am starving anyway.

Lanlion had placed his two-hander almost casually over his shoulder and was now balancing it there with one hand, his other hand signalling the wolf to relax. ‘Let us talk to them first, cur,’ he said in an icy voice. ‘I am still satiated, and I have no urge yet to break my fast.’ At that the Bloodless smiled, displaying all his teeth in an emotionless grin.

The red-trousered group retreated a step, while even Ahren found it hard to decide who was more terrifying – the enormous red-and-black wolf or the Bloodless.

At that moment, Falk stepped up beside Lanlion, his shield raised in one hand and his broadsword in the other, Trogadon joining him with his hammer. Khara positioned herself sufficiently far away from the dwarf to give them both enough room in the event of their weapons being necessary. Then she began to spin her blades in an indolent manner. Ahren shuffled over to the far left of their newly created defensive line, his Wind Blade hidden as much as possible behind his back. Then he briefly turned towards Jelninolan and Hakanu, the latter having already prepared to step into line.

‘Guard the slaves!’ the Forest Guardian barked in a raw voice, pointing with his chin at Uldini and Salman. ‘This shouldn’t take too long.’ He ignored Hakanu’s sulky look, fixing his eyes on the opposition again.

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