Allies & Enemies by Cheryl S. Mackey

Author:Cheryl S. Mackey [Mackey, Cheryl S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-10-27T04:00:00+00:00

***

“Now,” Gabaran spoke, shattering the grim silence. “Where is my gear?”

Dehil swallowed a bark of laughter. Leave it to Gabaran to harry him for his beloved bow and arrows at a time like this. He gestured to the long shadow thrown by the outcropping, and a bundle materialized where he had dropped it.

Gabaran grunted, casting the younger male a frown before retrieving his few, precious, items. A threadbare satchel, a worn leather quiver bristling with thick arrows, and a large, hand carved bow quickly settled where they belonged on his person. The bulky cloak, so like Emaranthe’s, now laden with straps, belts, and ties, took on a more rugged and formal shape.

The wild Hunter was whole again.

The bow, as black as the night, was the last to return to its place on his back. For a long moment, a giant, scarred, hand held it up to the golden firelight for inspection. No lines of wear, nor nicks of carelessness marred its smooth yet ornate length.

“Just tell me one thing, Dehil. Why?” Gabaran asked. He sank to his haunches near his old friend and waited. “Why play this game?”

“I had to be sure you would join them,” Dehil replied with a grimace. He jerked his chin at the group huddled around the fire. “I knew nothing short of holding your gear hostage would do it.”

“You didn’t know that Emaranthe and I were old friends, I take it?”

Dehil snorted.

“I knew. I know more than many think. A spy I am, after all,” he sobered and his laugh faded.

“That brings another question to light.” Gabaran’s eyebrows marched upward, while his mouth turned south. “What is going on? Why do they hunt a map?”

Dehil eyed his friend, all semblance of mirth traded for grim severity.

“They must find the map to find a fabled city. Or the remnants of one, no one is truly sure,” he sighed. “If the enemy reaches it before us or our allies, there will be no saving Ein-Aral. We know not what exactly, but something there is the key to our survival… or downfall.”

“By The Four, you lead me into a grim grandstand between good and evil, friend.”

“Aye, and we six stand upon its pinnacle and await the hard fall to either side.”

Gabaran ran a shaky hand over his scarred, lined face. “I am too old for this.”

Dehil’s mirthless chuckle echoed across the desert.

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