(eng) Nancy Holzner - Deadtown 06 by Firestorm

Author:Firestorm [Firestorm]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

At the gates of Tywyll, our horses slowed to a walk. It wasn’t as if anyone slammed on the brakes. I didn’t feel any change in speed. One moment our surroundings were a blur; the next, everything came into focus. There was no sign of Mab or Ceridwen, but that didn’t surprise me. Mab had been in such a hurry, she would have gone straight to the palace instead of hanging around the city gates waiting for us to catch up. And Ceridwen wouldn’t have let Mab get there first. I thought I saw some jealousy in the way the goddess regarded her so-called servant. Ceridwen was gorgeous, yes, as beautiful as you’d expect a goddess to be. But Mab, as Viviane, was in a whole different league.

I hoped my aunt wasn’t in trouble. Ceridwen was already pissed off that Mab had walked away from a direct order. To be both disobedient and more beautiful—that sounded like the start of a fairy tale that ended not-so-happily ever after.

The cobblestone streets were empty as we made our way, single file, up the steep hill. The last time I’d entered Tywyll, these streets had been crowded with shades, some going about their business, some heading for Resurrection Square and the cauldrons that would determine their next phase—regeneration of their magical body in the Darklands or rebirth into a new physical body and a new life in the Ordinary. Today, though, there was not a soul to be seen. Wooden shutters barricaded every window. Shops were closed, doors shut tight. Toward the city center, signs of a recent battle surrounded us—the street became an obstacle course of craters and rubble. Fires still smoldered, pouring black smoke across our path. The air was thick with that choking smoke and smells of ashes and burnt oil and blood.

Resurrection Square was buzzing with life and activity. The square is home to three great cauldrons, each over twenty feet tall. Two of the cauldrons now lay on their sides, dented and gouged and riddled with holes. Workers clambered over them. It looked like they were attaching ropes to pull one of the cauldrons upright.

Where was the third cauldron? Which one was missing?

I wanted to stop and ask one of the workers what had happened, but my horse wouldn’t let me. the steed’s instructions were to carry us to the palace, and nothing could change its course. All right. Arawn would fill me in on recent events.

Unless he decided he’d prefer my head on a platter.

Too late to worry about that now. Arawn’s palace took up an entire side of Resurrection Square. As we crossed the square, the palace gates, flanked by two guards, became visible through the haze of smoke. Ceridwen stood motionless, while Mab paced frantically. They hadn’t been waiting long; two grooms were leading their horses away. I still couldn’t believe that Mab and the lovely Viviane were one and the same. Her violet gown, swirling around her as she paced, glowed in the dim light.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.