Bane of the Hunter: A Hundred Halls Novel by Thomas K. Carpenter

Author:Thomas K. Carpenter [Carpenter, Thomas K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Moon Books
Published: 2020-12-05T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

On a Sunday in early March, Professor Cassius found her at the Menagerie signing with Edgar, who had made her a necklace of shrimp carapaces on a string. The aromatic gift hung around her neck while she was thanking him. He got distracted when the professor ambled up, giving Cassius an excited spin before signing hellohellohello through the glass.

"G'day, Edgar," said the professor, signing with his words and managing to add his accent to the gesture with a little wrist twist. "Nice necklace. She's a real beaut."

"Oh, you like? I bet Edgar would make you one too," said Pax, quickly signing to the octopus before the professor could stop her.

"No, wait," said Cassius, but the octopus had already disappeared into the enormous tank. "Oh, well. He's a good lad. Better he have something productive to do instead of getting involved with student shenanigans."

The professor raised his eyebrow at Pax, who said, "I would never do such a thing. Without his consent of course."

"Right," he said, glancing left and right as his expression tightened. "Is Kali around?"

"Training time?" she asked.

He crossed his enormous arms. "Lord Asphodel requests your attendance in Caer Corsydd. He's calling in his favor."

"Oh, shit," said Pax. "Any idea what he wants?"

"I'll give you a hint, he asked for me to join you," said the professor.

As if called, Kali trotted into the room despite having no way to open the doors, but Pax had learned a long time ago that simple barriers never stopped her companion.

"Hey, Kali," said the professor, greeting the foxlike creature with an inclined head. She extended her forelegs in a downward dog, which had the semblance of a bow, before returning upright. "We have work to do."

After a stop by her room to gear up, and leave her gift from Edgar, Pax met Cassius at the portal. She was glad that Janelle hadn't been there to ask questions since she was doing her rotation at Golden Willow.

To Pax's surprise, Lord Asphodel was waiting for them on the other side without his raven-cloak, dressed in a light chain shirt, a slender longsword on his hip. The lack of cloak and addition of the sword removed the aloofness from his gaze, as he stared into the distance with the intensity of a soldier before battle.

"Greetings. Professor, Pax, Kali," said Lord Asphodel in what could only be described as a cheery tone, even if it seemed impossible from the source.

Pax shared a glance with the professor, who lifted a shoulder.

"You brought the amulet?" asked Lord Asphodel, resulting in Cassius pulling it from his pocket, rattling the chains for effect.

"We're going to the ziggurat, aren't we?" asked Pax.

Lord Asphodel only nodded sagely, before sweeping towards the path in long strides that forced Pax to jog to keep up. During the journey, black birds roosting in trees watched them pass, occasionally adding their caws to the air—a greeting, or encouragement, Pax couldn't tell.

The run left Pax limbered up, more awake than she was before she passed through the portal.

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