The Old Ways by David Dalglish

Author:David Dalglish
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Epic, Fiction
ISBN: 9781468172935
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
Published: 2012-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

Darius was torn between apprehension and relief when he finally reached the Gihon River. His journey was almost over, and he would obtain an answer to his dilemma. Either they’d rescind the bounty, or remove his head. Obviously Darius preferred one over the other, but he had no intention of spending the rest of his life as an outlaw. If they decided to kill him, then so be it. They’d only perform the execution Jerico had stayed.

He set up camp by the riverside. Night fell as Darius waited for a boat patrol to pass. When the stars reached their fullest, he felt an itch in the back of his mind. He shifted and pointed his sword toward the tree line. Valessa stepped out, the smile on her face doing nothing to diminish the madness in her eyes.

“Where is it you go?” she asked as she paced before him. Darius kept ready in case she attacked. A shiver ran through him as she passed through the trees. He was haunted by a phantom, but her daggers were so very real.

“If I tell you, it’d ruin the surprise.”

“You know you’ll make a mistake eventually. Ashhur cannot protect you forever.”

The paladin shrugged.

“Doing fine so far. Course, I’m not eager to wait forever. Strike at me, Valessa. Let’s have another go. Or would you rather skulk and hide until I die with gray hair on my head? What will you then tell Karak when you return to the fires of the Abyss? That you thought your revenge best served when I was so feeble I couldn’t lift my sword? At least you sent Grick to your god. I’m sure he’ll be a very impressive sacrifice...”

Darius thought he’d finally goaded her into another fight, but then he heard the sound of men from the water. Glancing back, he saw torches burning in the hands of four men. They’d seen the light of his campfire, so far from civilization, and were crying out in greeting.

“You won’t be safe with them,” she said as the boat drifted closer to shore. “They’ll put you in chains, without that damn sword of yours. Then I’ll have all the time in the world, Darius. All the time I need to make you suffer for what you’ve done to me.”

She fled back into the darkness of the forest.

“You flung yourself against my blade,” he said sighing. “You, not me.”

He walked to the water’s edge and waved to the four men.

“Well met,” he said, his voice carrying. “I hoped I might come across one of your boats. Which tower do you hail from?”

“Tower Silver,” said the leader of the four, extending his torch so its light reached Darius. Tower Silver was the closest tower to the Blood Tower, which meant Darius would not have to travel far for his meeting with Sir Robert. He wasn’t sure if this made him happier, or more nervous.

As the light shone upon him, the four men suddenly tensed.

“I see you are a paladin,” said the leader. “But of what god? Things have not gone kindly between us and Karak lately.

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