The Dark Profit Saga 02 - Son of a Liche by J. Zachary Pike

Author:J. Zachary Pike [Pike, J. Zachary]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Gnomish Press LLC
Published: 2018-05-21T21:00:00+00:00

Burt scuttled through the ruined town of Haertswood, sticking to the back streets and alleys. The rain had subsided, and now the full moon peered from between the remnants of the clouds. This far from the battle in the guildhall, the town was eerily quiet.

“Hello? Can anybody help us?” Burt’s shout was more of a throaty whisper or a hushed yell. It was enough to give the pretense of searching for help without actually being heard.

“Help. We need help.”

It wasn’t that the Kobold didn’t want to send aid to his companions. He did, but he also wanted to live to see the sun rise. Burt doubted anyone within earshot could help, but he was certain that a gang of bloodthirsty assassins had recently infiltrated the city. There was only so much one Kobold could do. At least, that was what he kept reminding himself.

“Nobody? Nobody wants to help?” he said, ducking into a small alley filled with the debris of battle.

There was no response. Given the circumstances, he had mixed feelings about this. There was a disproportionate amount of guilt in the mix no matter how determinedly he convinced himself that he was doing all he could.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so.” The Kobold produced a cigarette from his vest and struck a match on a nearby stone wall. He leaned against the wall, took a long drag, and nearly choked to death as the entrance to the alleyway was suddenly eclipsed by a hairy figure.

“Burt?” Thane stepped into the alley. In his arms, he cradled Kaitha, still in her filthy nightclothes, holding her bow and quiver as a sleeping child clings to a doll. “What’s wrong?”

The Kobold dropped to his knees. He could only manage a barking cough as he tried to dislodge a lit cigarette from his throat. “Argh! Arph!”

“Is it Gorm and the others?” asked Thane.

“Ark! Ack!” Burt waved a paw toward the guildhall.

The Troll looked back over his shoulder, worried. “Are they in trouble?” asked Thane.

“Arf! Aargh!”

“Is there danger? Do they need help?” The Troll squatted down next to the Kobold. “Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

With a final cough, Burt spat the cigarette onto the cobblestones. “Bleah! Gods, yes, they need help! Of course that’s what I was trying to say! They’ve run into a team of assassins and murder golems. And also, I couldn’t breathe, if anyone cares!”

Thane looked to the guildhall. “All right,” he said. “I’ll go and help them. You watch over Kaitha.”

“What?” Burt danced out of the way as the Troll gingerly laid the Elf down amid the debris. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Just keep her safe.” Thane smiled as the Elf scowled and shifted at the touch of cool stone. “I think she’ll finally wake soon.”

“She’s been asleep this whole time?” said Burt.

“Since I found her, yes,” said Thane. “I’ve been worried, but she’s stirred more lately. Watch over her until she wakes up.”

“Well, yeah, but… I mean, there’s assassins out there,” said Burt. “I’m a handbag performer

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