Thornbane The Lost (Thornbane Trilogy Hexed Heroes Saga Book 1) by Paul Sating

Author:Paul Sating [Sating, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Army Of Immortals Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-03-12T00:00:00+00:00

16

FESTIVITIES AND FEASTS

"That's not Horsthall," Thornbane said. She wasn't upset or mad. She was confused.

The way Iden blinked and said nothing as they stood at the bank, looking north, convinced her he shared that state. After a while, he said, "I don't know what happened."

"We took a wrong turn somewhere, stupid human," Brorm said, plopping herself on the stone wall.

They'd left the forest and started toward the south. Once they were clear of the obstruction of trees and the land opened eastward, Iden admitted his confusion at not seeing the dwellings of the city they sought.

From what she remembered, Horsthall was open to the countryside. Eastgate Town wasn't. Its walls stood over forty feet tall. Rising another twenty feet, the gatehouse was larger than most homes in Emeralis. Two drum towers bordered a crenulated battlement, slatted every six feet. The drum towers featured two stories of murder holes. From this distance, Thornbane didn't need to see any more to know anyone entering the city surely did so at their own risk.

"Doesn't look much like a town," Brorm observed correctly. "Much bigger than the last one you two dragged me into."

"Bulster is a village, not a town," Thornbane said. She didn't pull her eyes from the towers or battlements. "Eastgate Town was once a town, just like other settlements. It grew quickly when the baron turned a blind eye on the blockading of the river by the men who ruled this part of the world. They wouldn't let a single boat pass without taxing it. Nor did they allow anyone to cross the bridge from north or south without paying for the privilege. They grew rich within a year. Before the next years passed, the town had outgrown its name as word spread and people came here in search of opportunity."

"And we're going to find safety in a place like this?" the goblin asked, her expression wiped in disbelief.

"That was a long time ago. The people who did that were dealt with. Justice and fairness resumed because of—" She stopped, catching herself before mentioning her great-grandfather's successful efforts in stopping the abuses in the region. "Well, I can't remember who the baron was, but put an end to the criminals. Now, Eastgate Town is a city, and one of the most accepting of the land." She reached out and laid a hand on Brorm's back. "We'll be as safe here as anywhere."

"We better be." Brorm hopped down from the wall. "Do we go, then? I'm starving."

"Me too." Thornbane stood, drawing on her focus, aware of how much power she had used for Disguise each time she cast it. They were about to walk into a city of thousands. Disguise had to be held until they were in a safe place. That meant she had to conserve. No wasted energy on the finer points of their appearances.

"Remember what I said about making me into a little girl," Brorm said while Thornbane worked the spell.

Even though her eyes were closed and she was focusing on constructing the spell, she smiled at the goblin's comment.

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