Doom of the Sorceress by Jonathan Moeller

Author:Jonathan Moeller [Moeller, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“I think,” said Morigna, “that it is time to let the horses go.”

Gareth blinked in surprise as he helped the last horse out of the tunnel and into the little valley.

“What about the supplies?” said Gareth.

“They have dwindled enough that we can carry them between us,” said Morigna. “If the Magistria is willing to carry supplies, of course.”

“I would wager I’ve spent more time with marching armies than you have,” said Niara, “and a heavy rucksack is far preferable to starvation.”

Crake frowned. “Do we really have to let the horses go? Jarl Ivar loaned them to us.”

“You just want to bring them back to impress Lady Ingvilda,” said Jerome.

“Yes. Obviously. Wouldn’t you?”

“I believe the Guardian is right, Sir Crake,” said Dietmar. “The horses have proven increasingly cumbersome.” He pointed at the shimmering veil over Takaris. “There is also a good chance the streets of Takaris will have considerable rubble on them. Maneuvering the horses over it will prove a challenge. Especially since we may be pursued and will have to move in haste.”

“I think Dietmar’s right,” said Gareth.

“Won’t the horses starve?” said Crake.

“Not necessarily,” said Morigna. “There are numerous small valleys at the foot of the mountains. The soil is rich, and there should be sufficient grazing even in winter. The horses will have to take their chances, just as we will.”

“We had better get to work,” said Telemachus. “Let us be gone before a hydra or a group of those rock-melting serpents decides to make a nest here.”

They unpacked the saddlebags and distributed the remaining supplies and equipment among their packs. Gareth was a little alarmed to see how little food they had left. Dietmar had been right to insist they take the rations from the xortami patrol they had fought and killed in the ruins to the south. If it took them too long to destroy the Dragonskull, they might need to scavenge for supplies.

Just as well the Deeps seemed so full of ironstalk mushrooms.

They removed the harness and bridles from the horses. The animals remained clustered near the cavern entrance. Some of them started grazing on the grass that grew in the stony soil.

“Let us proceed,” said Morigna.

They shouldered their rucksacks and headed to the west, leaving the small valley behind. The slope was rocky and uneven, without a path, and Gareth picked his steps with care. He suspected they would miss the pack horses sooner rather than later, even though Morigna’s logic rang true, but it was a relief not to have to lead the animals down the slope.

He glanced towards the sprawling ruins of Takaris and looked away at once. The strange distortion threatened to cause vertigo if he looked at it for too long, which would be a bad thing while descending the side of a steep hill.

Finding something the size of the Dragonskull in such a vast ruined city would have been near-impossible if not for the radiating power of its dark aura.

Though Gareth suspected the Dragonskull would occupy one of the large buildings he could glimpse through the distortion effect.

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