The Dagger Jaws by Jonathan Moeller

Author:Jonathan Moeller [Moeller, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-01-07T05:00:00+00:00

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Drums boomed from the village of Qazhosk.

Ridmark stood on the hilltop with Agataph, Caulbrach, and the chief kobold warriors, watching the flames burn inside the palisade. One by one the orcs were putting out the fires.

“They will pursue us, shaman,” said Caulbrach with a growl.

“Yes, but not tonight,” said Agataph. “Vhorlaskur is not stupid enough to blunder about in the dark after us. Instead, he shall gather a war party and come at us in the Deeps. We must return to our village and be ready for them.”

“Very well,” said Caulbrach. He turned and began snarling orders to his warriors.

“And you, human Ridmark,” said Agataph. “You have done well. You have kept your promise to the Dagger Jaws.”

Ridmark nodded and dropped the bandoleer of smoke bombs upon the ground between them. “Your bombs. I didn’t need them after all. But best to be prepared, is it not?”

His fingers tightened against his staff.

“Indeed,” said Agataph, showing his fangs. “Now I shall keep my promise to you. I told you that the dark elven prince known as the Jeweler once ruled these lands. The Elder Shamans reside in the ruins of his former citadel, a place called Urd Drysaar in the Lion Mountains.”

“Where is Urd Drysaar?” said Ridmark.

“Two days east of here you shall find the River of Fangs,” said Agataph. “Follow it east until you reach the Lion Mountains and the ruins of the dwarven city of Khald Meraxur. Do not enter the ruins, but take the stairs by the gate of Khald Meraxur into the Lion Mountains. From there the path shall lead you to the house of the Elder Shamans and to your death at their hands.”

Ridmark inclined his head. “Thank you. I shall depart, and leave you to your battle with Vhorlaskur.”

“Mmm,” said Agataph. “If you go to Urd Drysaar, you shall die.”

“I will take that chance,” said Ridmark.

“Then it is a kindness,” said Agataph, “that we shall kill you and devour you at our victory feast.”

“Then you betray your word to me?” said Ridmark.

The other kobolds turned to face him, and Agataph laughed.

“Not at all!” said Agataph. “I keep my word. I said I would see you safely to your final destination. It is no fault of mine that your destination is our feast table. Kill him!”

The kobolds raised their bows, and Ridmark moved, taking a deep breath and raking his staff across the fallen bandoleer, shattering all four of the smoke bombs at once. The elixir within the bombs exploded with a whooshing noise, and a plume of gray smoke erupted from the hilltop, rushing to engulf Ridmark. He ducked and whirled, rolling across the ground as the kobolds screeched in alarm and arrows rushed past him, but he got to his feet and ran as fast as he could.

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