Trial of Horns (Challenger's Call Book 9) by Nathan Thompson

Author:Nathan Thompson [Thompson, Nathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21: Show Me My Challenge

Whoops, Teeth said as his claw-hoof stumbled a bit on a loose rock. Sorry about that. Footing’s a little tricky here.

I didn’t blame him. Even if he hadn’t been a horse for less than a week or so, this tunnel was super-dark, and in a way that made it feel far more cramped than it actually was. I was glad we all slept in a bit after my impromptu jam session with Jarta.

You sure you don’t want to switch back? I asked as he jostled again. It’s got to be a lot easier to navigate when you’re smaller.

Yeah, and then I’ll spend the rest of the day hearing from those three assholes about how small I got. He tossed his head in the direction of the Testifiers’ mounts, then tossed it again in the direction of Jarta’s pegasus. And then she’ll join in as well. Which normally wouldn’t bother me, except that then it would make you look bad, because of the whole ‘Wes’ dragon shrinks every time he gets in a tunnel’ deal, and I’m too much of a bro to allow misunderstandings like that. I’ll go hatchling if the situation calls for it, but until then I’ll put up with this trip the same way everyone else’s mounts are.

He had a point. This tunnel may have been dark and inexplicably creepy, but the passage was still wide enough for our party to travel through in mounted formation.

How far down are we? I asked Jarta through the mindlink.

About a hundred feet deeper than the stronghold, the valkyrie replied. It goes on for about two miles, then widens significantly before reaching the structure Frema spoke of.

The blonde dwarf riding behind her scowled as if she could tell we were talking about her. Eadric’s ex had insisted on accompanying us, and I had agreed to it, since she had studied the site much better than anyone else in the clan. That had become her new role, apparently. She had finally achieved the rank of Ollam through her work in preserving the clans’ remaining artifacts and historical sites, something that should have been nigh-impossible given the stigma of her ex-betrothed’s Expulsion. At any rate, she not only knew where this site was located, but was the only person able to deactivate the defensive wards Shaped into the rocks around it.

Why exactly is she the only person able to deactivate the wards? I asked as Teeth carefully navigated another loose rock. And why are there wards at all?

The clan has become extremely protective regarding anything with historical significance, due to a certain event they all refuse to talk about, Jarta replied diplomatically. To that end, they no longer share certain security measures with anyone but the oldest elders. The wards serve to protect the site from sabotage…and to protect everyone else from the site, should its own seals finally open.

“Ahem.” Frema suddenly cleared her throat. “Pardon me for breaking silence during a mission, but since I lack your special form of mental ventriloquism, I’d best share more details before we get any closer.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.