The Ramshuk (Heirs of Legacy Book 3) by Paul Lauritsen

Author:Paul Lauritsen [Lauritsen, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-27T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29:

The Ancient One

Back at the stronghold, Garnuk found a weary and disheartened group awaiting him. Outside of Vawin, all of his warriors had survived. But many bore wounds from skirmishes or burns from the fires scattered across the city. None of the other groups had captives either.

As Garnuk and the warriors who had accompanied him to the armory dragged their prize through the entry hall and into Carh’s council chamber, the others brightened considerably. They eyed the captive hungrily, wondering what secrets he held and what could be extracted from him. Drawn by this curiosity, they all followed Garnuk into the council chamber.

Wearily, Garnuk clumped up the stone steps to the raised hearth and sat on the low wall around the fire. He did not think it proper to sit in any of the chairs while Carh was absent. “Report,” he grunted to the others as he began to remove his gauntlets.

The four who had been appointed leaders of their smaller bands stepped forward uncertainly. None of them bore wounds. “The fire we pursued was set by Hunon’s agents,” Ranil growled, shaking his head. “We saw them fleeing the site, but lost track of where they went.”

Garnuk sighed. He had expected as much, but he would have liked to have at least one more captive. That way, if one refused to talk he would have backups.

The two vertaga who had helped lead the group at the armory shrugged uncertainly. “We didn’t capture anyone else fleeing the building, general. At least we know they didn’t escape the fire and return to their master.”

Garnuk nodded. That was something to be grateful for at least. Perhaps the day had not been a total disaster.

The last leader, Yulik, crossed his arms over his chest and shook his horned head. “Nothing happened after you left, general. The armory, it seems, was the final attack. And likely the only real one out of the lot.”

The Exile finished removing his gauntlets and scratched at his horns with his clawed hands. At least three enemy operatives dead, one captured. Compared to one vertag lost for Shadow Squadron and a few more throughout the city. The four warriors at the armory. A half dozen or more at each gate. Some of Hunon’s warriors had likely died there as well though.

“Go to each of the places where a fight or fire broke out,” Garnuk commanded. “Bring reports back from the leaders there. I want to know what they observed.”

Ranil and the others nodded, then left the chamber, marching out into the city to do his bidding.

While they were gone, Garnuk watched his captive with an unblinking, flat gaze. The vertag shifted uncomfortably every few seconds, as though he found the Exile’s actions disconcerting. The two guards standing over him paid no attention to the silent battle taking place, focusing on any threats that might approach from outside the council chamber.

Finally Garnuk leaned towards the captive. “Your name?” he asked quietly.

The vertag composed himself, straightening his back and sitting as upright as possible.

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