Blood Rain by Helix Parker

Author:Helix Parker [Parker, Helix]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-27T22:00:00+00:00

25

Naspen led them to a plateau that hung over the lower base of the mountain and valley. She gently used her staff to draw a circle in the dirt. The sand inside the circle was sucked into the ground. Stairs appeared, and she descended. Leon followed immediately, but Edgar turned to check the trail leading back to the caverns. Seeing no more of the creatures, Edgar hurried to catch up with them.

Naspen’s staff illuminated enough of the space for Edgar to see the stone steps winding down as if they were in an upside-down tower. Several times, he had to quicken his pace because the steps were high enough to make the descent difficult for his short legs.

“What is this place?” he asked.

“A castle,” Leon whispered. “The mountain was formed over it.”

“How does a mountain form over a castle?”

Leon didn’t respond, and Edgar was too out of breath to repeat his question. He was relieved when they finally reached the bottom. A long corridor lay before them. Torches hung on the walls on either side. Even though they were underground, he felt safer than he had on the surface.

A draft from somewhere made the torches flicker, casting shadows over the walls. The ceiling and floors were made of carved brick. They turned a corner and entered a vast hall. On the walls were banners of ancient families he didn’t recognize and swords and shields rusted and covered in cobwebs. Windows were spaced evenly throughout the hall, but all of them were broken and, in their place, stone crept inside.

Naspen went to a grand hearth and flicked something inside it. A flame as tall as a man came to life. The fire gave the hall a warm light, and the crackle of burning wood was soothing. She sat on a cushioned stone chair, Leon perched on the seat next to her. Edgar chose a stool that was nearby instead.

She looked at Leon. “Cassandra, how is she?” Her voice had a hissing quality.

“She is with child for the second time,” Leon responded.

“You have children?” she asked, sounding surprised.

“I do. A daughter, and a son on the way.”

“How do you know it is a son?”

“I have seen it in my dreams. As I’m sure you have.”

She looked toward the fire, appearing despondent. “I have.”

“Do you know what I need help with?”

“I see vague impressions. Riders in black with faces of bone. And darkness itself at their head.”

“The Marauder horde,” Leon said softly.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Edgar cleared his throat.

“Something you wish to say, halfling?” she asked.

“No. It’s just that you’re older than I thought. From what Leon described.”

“Ah, is this more to your liking?”

If he hadn’t been watching her, if he had blinked or glanced away, he would have been convinced his eyes were deceiving him. But he was sitting right in front of her with eyes fixed when she changed.

She suddenly became older and wrinkled. Her hair grayed and tangled like rope. Then, in an instant, she was young and beautiful—her lips ruby red, her hair as silk that hung all the way down her back.

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