The City of Stars (Chronicles of the Magi Book 3) by Morris Dave

Author:Morris, Dave [Morris, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Fabled Lands Publishing
Published: 2016-02-29T05:00:00+00:00

Nine:

The Pirate King

Hunguk’s silhouette grew until it filled the door frame, then he stepped from the swirling mass of light and Altor and Caelestis knew their time had run out.

Even in the tall cabin he had to stoop, and his shoulders were as broad as a rowboat’s beam. In stature he resembled a rugged rock, strewn in kelp and clad in plates of iron that tolled like a bell as he raised his two huge axes. Eyes like molten silver sharpened over a dark weather-beaten face.

When he spoke, they heard the voice of thunder:

‘What mortal mice are these, come to scratch in my larder while I roam the world’s waves? God’s blood, I say, of all thieves the most reckless are those who presume to plunder Hunguk’s hoard!’ He clashed his axes together, sending sparks shooting in all directions. ‘Come, you land-pests. Pit your weapons against the Lord of the Nine Seas—if you dare.’

Altor snatched up his sword, which he had laid close at hand while he searched the table. Caelestis reached to the empty scabbard at his belt, remembered he’d lost his sword escaping from the Roc, and instead pulled a dagger from his boot.

The two of them stood facing him. They were not eager for battle. It was easy to see that what Sussurien had told them was true: the Pirate King was no longer a mortal man. The long centuries had tempered him into a creature of myth. He was halfway to being a god of the seas.

Altor rushed in first. His sword clattered against the Pirate King’s axe, slipped, glanced off thick armour-plate iron. The haft of the axe swung up, crashing into Altor with such force that all the wind was knocked out of him. He slumped, his sword almost falling from nerveless fingers.

Caelestis saw the other axe raised for a death-blow. Disregarding the danger to himself, he leapt onto the table and from there jumped up to catch Hunguk’s arm. It was like grappling an oak tree. Kicking out blindly, Caelestis was rewarded by a snarl of annoyance as his foot landed in the Pirate King’s mouth.

He let go of the arm, twisting in midair so as to land on his feet. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ he yelled at Altor.

‘We can’t go without the emeralds.’

‘I’ve got them.’ Caelestis opened his palm to show two glittering green jewels that he had found in a clay jar just as Hunguk stepped out of the vortex.

Altor nodded. ‘In that case, I’m right behind you!’

Hunguk roared as he swung both axes up to strike. Altor waited a split-second, pretending he was still stunned, only to fling himself out of the way as the attack came. The axes made a sound like two lethal catapult stones as they sliced through the air. Missing Altor by barely a hair’s breadth, they chopped deep into the wood of the deck. Again Hunguk gave vent to his battle roar.

‘Stand still, pest!’ he bellowed. ‘I’ll teach you to steal from the king

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