A Soldier's Honor: The Scepter of Maris: Book One by Barnes James R

Author:Barnes, James R. [Barnes, James R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: James R. Barnes
Published: 2014-01-17T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Conquest

Veesha stalked across the room he had just entered. The two occupants reacted to his sudden appearance with vastly different expressions. The older one with the pale, craggy face and milky left eye was obvious in his disinterest, even though it could only be seen fleetingly, as his attention left his work and then went right back. The younger Orc at his side was full of awe as he continued to stare. Veesha chose to ignore the young one for now, but he would remember him. If the apprentice showed promise, it would be beneficial to cultivate a relationship. Nulat was old and would die before too many more years, sooner if Veesha needed him out of the way, and his replacement would need to be someone that could be properly controlled. The old one knew exactly how important he was and might just be crazy enough to think that no one would dare touch him. He was wrong, of course. Veesha did not become the leader of the strongest clan by letting others tell him what he could and could not do. He always found a way to get what he needed. It was true that Nulat was the most skilled shaman in the clan, but he had three others sufficiently under his thumb that could be used together to take the aging magic user's place. If he knew Nulat as he thought he did, then this apprentice would have the potential to one day be the equal of his master, and that would be remembered.

Without speaking, Nulat held up an amulet for Veesha to see. The talisman consisted of an intricately carved ring that that hung at the end of a still swaying leather thong. What made the amulet special was not the ring, but rather the magically preserved eye that fit neatly inside of it. The amber pupil had a barely discernible glow to it, and was slightly mesmerizing as it gently swung back and forth. He had been present when Nulat had replaced the wolf's eye with a shimmering blue orb, and then set the eye into the amulet. The animal had just stood there as its left eye was cut out and only whimpered softly as the magical replacement was put in place. Blinking away the momentary fascination, Veesha looked to the old shaman and waited. He was certain the decrepit fool enjoyed these little mind games, but would only put up with so much. Hiding his irritation was not easy, and some of that might have shown, because Nulat chuckled and lowered the amulet. The shaman still took his time before speaking.

"The second attack failed," he said in a gravelly voice. "They were outfoxed by the humans, their ambush was ambushed." The old one added with another chuckle.

Veesha's iron will was the only reason he was able to reign in his temper. He fought down the urge to kill the elder, and spoke to him in a tight voice.

"What happened?"

"As I said; the humans discovered the trap, and surprised the waiting troops instead.

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