Holmberg, D K - The Forgotten 01 - The Durven by Holmberg D K

Author:Holmberg, D K [Holmberg, D K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ASH Publishing
Published: 2013-06-10T23:00:00+00:00

* * *

I stopped on the streets outside the Durven and turned to look. Bright flames lit the night, racing up the side of the tavern. Heavy smoke filled the air, adding the haze of the night. Firelight reflected off of the smoke to create a softly muted light. Were it not so deadly I would call it beautiful.

Sounds of chaos—men running, children screaming, the heavy groaning of the Durven as the wood cracked and began to give way—filled the air. The distraction would help us escape but could not be counted on to last for long.

“We need to leave the city.”

The lack of other emotion as she nodded made me wonder how much of this she had planned.

“You will accompany me?” she asked.

I blinked, my breathing quickening slightly. Leave Eban but for where? Hiding her meant a larger city, otherwise she’d stand out and be quickly found. If not Lorst, then someone else. After tonight, the price on her would surely climb. Men would not stop at a chance for that kind of gold.

Few options came to mind. To the north was Cort. The sprawling city was much like Eban, huge and filled with corruption. At least Orly didn’t control Cort as he did Eban. Cort could be comfortable for someone like me. Except Lorst worked Cort.

Beyond Cort was the massive city Asazn. Cael could hide in Asazn if needed. Even Orly would struggle to extend his reach that far north. Looking at Cael, beautiful and dark, eyes now pale in the reflected firelight, I didn’t envision her in a place like Asazn. It was a detestable city, darker and more run down than even Eban.

I thought of exotic Jof to the east and discarded the idea. Cael would not fit in well in the dry desert. West led to Yilan and the ocean.

“South,” Cael said.

I looked over to see green flaring in her otherwise pale eyes. “I cannot go south,” I said.

“Then I’ll go alone,” she said. “For it must be south.”

The top floor of the Durven suddenly gave way, crashing to the ground below in a shower of sparks. A fire line had formed, men carrying buckets of water as they fought to contain the fire, but there was little that could be done to stop the Durven from burning.

“Let me get you out of the city,” I said, “then we can decide where you can hide.”

She touched my arm with one of her slender hands. I shivered as she did, her fingers like silk across my arm. “Once I leave the city there will be no hiding. I must head south.”

“What do you have?” I asked. My eyes flicked to the pack she had slung around her neck. She cradled the contents to her side, one arm holding it tightly. The other hand held the long silver knife I had taken off the assassin. A hint of a blue glow radiated from the pack, possibly imagined.

“Something of value only to me,” she answered.

“I doubt that.”

“Now you’re the Reader?”

I tipped my head as I studied her.

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