The Cost of Humanity by Erin Winters

Author:Erin Winters [Winters, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781734346411
Publisher: Erin Winters
Published: 2020-01-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Gabor bounded down the remaining stairs past Enouim and landed lightly on his feet, despite a complete inability to see his footing. “What happened?”

“It’s the woods. Anything could have happened. They weren’t tied,” Baird said dolefully.

“They weren’t tied because there were barely any places they could even fit through!” Oloren sighed. This would cost them dearly in time.

“‘Barely any’ was clearly just enough,” Gabor bit back. “How could we have been so stupid?”

“They could still be nearby,” Vadik suggested.

“Unless something spooked them,” noted Ruach.

The company spent the next forty-five minutes whistling, calling, and roaming out further into the wood. Kilith shook his head, disapproving. The minutes ticked by, but without horses, minutes would turn to hours more on the road. Yet, if the horses really were out of reach, they were wasting already precious moments.

“Useless,” growled Canukke, kicking at a stone. It skittered across the ground and took a tumble through the brush. “We go on foot. You there,” he said, turning to Yadara. “You know the way?”

“Yes,” she answered, eyes wide at his harsh tone. “I know the way.”

“On, then. Show us.”

Yadara nodded, turned on her heel, and stepped forward out of the glade and into the thicket. Canukke strode after her, and the rest followed. Enouim placed herself near the front to hear any critical conversation she could.

“How far?” Canukke asked.

“Not far. Less than a week.”

“Where is it hidden?”

“Where few look. But it is always accessible to those who seek it,” Yadara replied.

“I have no patience for riddles,” Canukke rumbled.

“The servant can do only what the master bids.”

Canukke grabbed her arm forcefully and yanked her back to him. “Listen here. Who higher than I on this mission?” he snarled. “Up there you have your own rules, but down here, I am in charge. Answer me straight, sky wench.”

Yadara drew back in surprise, looking at him with consternation, and examining his grip on her arm. They were nearly nose to nose.

“She’s not allowed to say!” protested Oloren. “Leave her be.”

“She certainly won’t be permitted not to say,” Canukke snarled, never removing his gaze from Yadara.

“They mean us no harm,” Gabor said from the sidelines. “She takes us to the Stone. Does it matter how she does it?”

“Too many liars have I encountered in my life. If something seems too good to be true, it’s because it is,” Canukke answered him.

“Where is your evidence?” asked Baird.

Vadik and Kilith slowly edged forward to Yadara’s side. “This is not the way to get what you want,” Vadik cautioned.

“Put away your ego, boy,” Canukke responded. “Which among us was best fit for this mission? Did you choose me, or the other way around? Do tell. Tell me of your remarkable accomplishments. Line them up end to end, and see if they reach a tenth as far as my own.”

“Enough,” said Kilith, and his tone, though quiet, was venomous.

“And you, Kilith Urul,” Canukke spat. “What are you to me?”

Enouim looked between them. It seemed as though Canukke was unraveling before her eyes. The

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