Outlaw Oracle by John Stacy Worth

Author:John Stacy Worth [Worth, John Stacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fiction Worth Reading
Published: 2018-09-10T22:00:00+00:00

13 - Before I strike you down

XAL MOTIONED TO AHLENIR. “Open it now.”

“Your majesty,” the elf stalled, “What do you intend to do? They may be well armed, and I would caution my King about underestimating his enemies.”

The Warlock grinned. “We can handle them, Ahlenir. I have two of my finest warriors, the White Enchantress, Dreg, and yourself. Six against a ragged band of cowards. They did flee this realm in fear, did they not?”

They fled to protect their children. Instead of speaking that thought, Ahlenir said, “As always your judgment is true, my King.” He looked at Xal and lied, “Stretch forth your arm, Sire. The armband will open the portal as I concentrate on their lair, and then we cross the chasm. It is somewhat different when this magic opens passage to the human realm.”

Xal stretched out his arm, aiming the Verdinasen technology toward the barrier hiding the null.

Ahlenir likewise extended a hand and began to gesture, feigning a look of extreme concentration. The truth was the barrier would open to him anyway, armband or not, when entering from Ejnerehl.

Had they been entering from Earth, the armband or one of Hank Brannon’s rings would have been necessary, but on Ejnerehl the elf had only to wave his hand in a great gesture — head to belt, then from one shoulder across the expanse before him until his hand pointed away into open air reaching far to the other side.

With the movement completed, the barrier of leaves and thorns formed an opening, small as a fist in front of him, and then spread in all directions until they could all walk through.

Xal laughed aloud as they passed through. He drew his sword, and immediately it blazed into flame. Steel rasped, as his Sepulchrals and the others jerked their weapons from leather scabbards.

Reluctantly, Ahlenir drew his own sword. Determined to use it to skewer Xal. The thicket closed behind them as they continued into the null.

Once into the town proper, Xal began to sniff the air.

“What is it my King?” Ahlenir whispered, glancing about expectantly. Surely the folk had been forewarned, since there were none on the streets. Perhaps they hid, while warriors waited in the trees about the village. It would serve the Usurper right to have the Winged Shadows descend on him like eagles on a serpent.

The elf took a slow breath through his nostrils. No, not a soul in the trees, but he did catch a faint scent. Dihya!

Xal sniffed again. “I cannot smell your kindred. Either their numbers are few, or they have hidden themselves away.” He looked sideways at the elf. “Did you warn them, Ahlenir?”

The elf did not flinch. “My King, I would not betray you in such a manner.” Which was the truth. There had been limited time for betrayal. Xal had kept him occupied and in close proximity of either himself or one of the Sepulchrals.

Even so, with the scant time available, Ahlenir had managed a single mutinous act which confirmed for the elf the Lahat Khehreb had not submitted to this monster, despite appearances.

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