The Gods Beneath by C. M. Raymond & L. E. Barbant & Michael Anderle

Author:C. M. Raymond & L. E. Barbant & Michael Anderle [Raymond, C. M. & Barbant, L. E. & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2017-10-30T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Karl sat alone by the enormous fireplace, finishing mug after mug of the Heemites’ wine. Its taste hung on his tongue, and it was strangely both sweet and tart at once. Thankfully it packed a punch, and a buzzed grin was plastered on his face.

Like most men in Craigston he had considered marriage. Had almost taken the plunge once. But unlike most men in the Heights, he had chosen the adventure of the open road over the quieter adventure of family life in a simple house amongst the rocks. He tilted his glass back and shook his head as he considered the possibility of spending his life with these foreign people in this faraway land.

Before he could look up from his empty vessel, a servant stood before him with a fresh bottle. “More wine, Mr.…”

“It’s Karl.”

“Mr. Karl,” the young woman confirmed.

“Just Karl. And sure thing, lass. Keep ‘em comin’, if ye don’t mind.”

Hadley dropped onto the couch next to him. Looking up at the server, he held his own mug toward her. “Don’t mind if I do, dear,” he said with a wink. Without a word she poured his drink, then turned and left. “It’s the strangest thing. The women here just don’t like me.”

“Scheisse, ye bastard. First time for everythin’, no?” Karl couldn’t help but laugh. “What the hell’d ye get me inta, Hadley? I know we give each other the shite most of the time, but I thought we was friends.”

Karl was drunk enough not to notice that Aysa had joined them. “Karl, you don’t get it, do you?”

The rearick jumped. “Where’d ye come from, ye long-armed good-fer-nothin’. I know ye had somethin’ ta do wi’ this.”

Aysa smiled. “Wish I did. I think it’s brilliant.” She turned to the mystic. “But seriously, Hadley, tell him how it works before he drinks himself to death.”

Karl belched long and hard. “Yeah, Hadley, ye shite-eatin’ traitor, tell ol’ Karl.”

“I will, if you stop talking about yourself in the third person.” Without waiting for a response, Hadley continued, “You don’t have to marry anyone, as long as you win.”

“I don’t?”

“No!” Hadley and Aysa said together.

“Listen, we needed the betrothal so you could fight. It makes you an insider. That was all the king’s idea. I guess he likes you...or maybe he despises his daughter and you’re just a pawn? Who knows. Anyway, you only get married if you lose.”

Karl’s eyes grew wide. “And if I win?”

“That little mountain cutie gives you a kiss on the cheek and sends her handsome hero down into paradise, never to hear from him again. It’s all very romantic. Very tragic.” Hadley took a long drink from his mug. “So just don’t lose.”

Aysa added, “Not to mention, we need to get your ass in there to get those crystals anyway. Without the crystals, we don’t have much time until the Skrima and Hadley’s buddy Laughter come through and devour us all. Probably just enough time for a honeymoon.”

“Scheisse! I just have ta win a fight! I can do that.

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