Og-Grim-Dog and the Dark Lord by Jamie Edmundson

Author:Jamie Edmundson [Edmundson, Jamie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rarn Publishing
Published: 2020-07-05T16:00:00+00:00

The Imperial Palace

After all the waiting they had done, Grim assumed there would be a lot more of it to come. He was surprised, therefore, to see the gate slowly swing open not long after Simba had disappeared over the wall.

‘There’s our cue,’ Gurin muttered, wincing as he got to his feet.

‘Good luck,’ said Little El.

Assata clasped his hand. Then their barbarian guide disappeared into the shadows, and the three companions made their way to the palace.

They began to cross the bridge, Grim looking warily up at the wall, in case it was a trap. But as they neared the gate, he made out the white-haired figure of the dark elf, gesturing for them to hurry.

They set foot inside the palace walls and Simba closed the gate behind them.

‘This way,’ he whispered, pointing.

About forty feet inside the perimeter of the walls was a cluster of huts, and a green light flickered outside one of them.

‘The guards?’ Assata asked Simba.

‘Five of them altogether. I’ve dumped their bodies out of sight. But for all we know, there could be a change soon. We don’t have time to waste.’

They made their way towards the hut, Grim doing his very best to go quietly. He was helped a little by the well-manicured grass underfoot. But they can’t have been silent, because the door to the hut opened as they approached, and a small figure ushered them inside.

Slaves of all ages were sleeping on the floor, while a few had been woken by the goings on and were staring at the arrivals to their hut. The woman, carrying the green lantern with her, followed them inside and closed the door. She was small, much older than Assata. To Grim’s eyes, she was incredibly delicate looking, and yet there was a look of determination in her eyes.

‘Ericka?’ Assata asked.

‘Yes.’

‘I am Assata.’ She pulled her sleeve up to show the woman her tattoo. ‘You know why we are here?’

‘I do. Do you need anything?’

‘No. We are ready when you are.’

‘The guards?’

‘Taken care of,’ said Simba.

‘Then let’s go. It’s not fair to keep you here. I am comfortable with risking my own life, but not those of my family.’

With that, Ericka led them back outside. They followed her across the lawn and onto a path that took them towards a group of larger buildings in the palace, all with upturned eaves.

‘I work in the Inner Court,’ she whispered. She glanced at their blank looks. ‘Where the imperial family lives,’ she added.

They cut past extravagant looking wooden buildings, coloured red and orange and green, with yellow roof tiles. Many had steps leading up to their entrances. But Ericka kept them to the shadows, without comment, until she raised a hand and stopped them.

‘See there,’ she said, pointing ahead of them. ‘That is the Inner Court.’

The Inner Court was raised significantly higher than the rest of the palace. Grim could see more buildings like the ones they had passed. He could see a wide set of stairs that led up to the Court.

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