What Remains of Heroes by David Benem

Author:David Benem [Benem, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Horror, Dark Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy, Epic, Sword & Sorcery
Amazon: B00WBTLL60
Goodreads: 25389017
Published: 2015-04-16T23:00:00+00:00

“I’d guess another two leagues,” said Drenj, standing in his stirrups and peering down the narrow trail. “Assuming your directions are correct, and assuming the Arranese haven’t found the place already.”

Fencress walked beside Drenj and his horse, squinting in the morning sunlight. She pulled her own horse by its reins, as they’d slung their prisoner over the mare’s back. “They won’t find it. They’ll hold to the wider roads. An army can’t move through a forest this dense, so I reckon Old Crook will be just fine. A rugged old goat like that doesn’t suffer in war. He profits.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Paddyn from behind her. “But I should tell you I smell smoke on the air, and I’d swear the breeze is carrying the sound of war drums.”

Fencress sniffed at the air and also detected the faintest odor of smoke. “Perhaps that smell is just Old Crook cooking that terrible squirrel stew he used to make.”

“You know this man well?” asked Drenj.

“You could say,” said Fencress. “Old Crook ran The Dead Messenger years ago, back when I was a much younger lass. He was the one who invented the whole notion of the Blood Box, a way to keep patrons and those of us who did their dark work from ever having to meet each other. Folk felt safer that way, and Old Crook charged a percentage for playing the middle man. After a time he’d made so much coin he grew tired of hoarding it, and left the inn to Handsome and retired in the south. He kept his whereabouts mostly secret, telling only those few of us who’d helped him earn the bulk of his riches. Over the years it’s been a good spot to hide when things have gotten hairy.”

“Does Karnag know of it?” asked Drenj, speaking the name like a curse.

“Aye,” said Fencress. “Karnag made Old Crook more coin than any other, likely double. I’d have to say he was Old Crook’s favorite, as that old bastard admired that Karnag was never shamed by his work and never seemed to do it out of desperation. And by the dead gods he was good at it, the best killer in the whole of Rune. It was Karnag who first introduced me to Old Crook, more than a decade ago.”

“He’s stirring,” said Paddyn, gesturing to their prisoner.

Fencress smirked. “Best not talk of where we’re going, then. You boys will have to trust me.”

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.