Zachareth: A Descent: Legends of the Dark Novel (Descent: Journeys in the Dark) by Robbie MacNiven

Author:Robbie MacNiven [MacNiven, Robbie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: epic fantasy, swords and sorcery, media tie-in
Publisher: Aconyte
Published: 2022-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Unusually, the front doors of the Academy were lying open. Zachareth, Ollen, and Drussus found Morrow standing on the steps beyond, facing out onto the street.

Before him was Ruben, and at his back, six Ironbound, arrayed precisely in two files of three. The Nerekhall watchman was speaking loudly but paused midsentence and pointed at Zachareth as he came through the door.

“Him,” he said.

“I told you, there has been some misunderstanding,” Morrow said in an altogether calmer tone. “Zachareth Carth merely studies here until his return to Greyhaven next month.”

“That means nothing regarding his innocence. He has been sparring in the guild hall with an Ironbound we provided as a token of goodwill. He was there today, was he not?”

“He was not,” Morrow said, his voice tight with controlled anger. “He hasn’t left the Academy today.”

“He was seen fleeing through the streets with a sword this morning. And he doesn’t exactly look as though he has just come from a quiet studying session.”

Zachareth was tempted to speak up. He wanted to tell Ruben about the Whisperer, about everything he had discovered in the library. A part of him even wanted to see the Ironbound lower their spears, march up the steps with their terrible, silent implacableness, and set about slaughtering everyone in the Academy. He had been deceived, and he was furious.

But he had also learned much about the values of silence and patience. He forced himself to think rationally about the consequences of speaking up. Morrow would regret what he had done, no doubt. The Academy would suffer, and Nerekhall itself would likely know a level of turmoil it had not seen since demons stalked its streets. But it would not help him, and it would not help Carthridge. And that, he told himself repeatedly, was the only thing that mattered.

As Morrow lied, he stayed silent.

“Zachareth was just with one of the Academy’s members, Lady Drussus,” the runemaster said, gesturing. “I have multiple witnesses that can vouch for him.”

“As have I,” Ruben said, his tone rising again. “The Ironbound he was assigned was found with the broken shards of a tainted runestone. Dark magic, forbidden even here in this den of sorcerers.”

“That is an outrageous accusation,” Morrow snapped. “Don’t think I don’t know what this is about, Ruben. Your little inquisitorial searches here never turn up anything. The magisters want to remind us of our place, so they send you to make their threats with Ironbound at your back.”

“Now you are the one making outrageous accusations,” Ruben barked. “Despite your vaunted status, you will still obey the laws of Nerekhall!”

Zachareth stepped forward. He did so impulsively, knowing that if he didn’t act, matters would spiral completely out of control. His experiences with a single Ironbound meant he had no wish to test himself against six.

“I know nothing of the accusations you make, sir,” he told Ruben, trying to focus on him and not the looming threat behind him. “But if need be, I am happy to submit myself. At the very least, though, I would expect a formal warrant.

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