Second Spear by Kerstin Hall

Author:Kerstin Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group

Chapter Fifteen

Clear air and the warmth of sunlight on her skin, the bright chirps of birds and the gentle rustling of the living trees, the smell of flowers and wet grass, the dense sprawl of colour and shadow and light—Tyn absorbed it all. The rush of sensation was almost too much to stand, too intense, too potent after the dreary grey hell of the 355th realm. Early afternoon. A pair of yellow-winged cranes dipped their beaks into the dark waters, wading amongst bulrushes and lilies.

The bridge to the Hollows was newly overgrown with black spores, forming a dense, soft carpet underfoot. Tyn raised her head, relishing the sight of the canopy, the fluting birdsong. Bulbous fungi drooped from the high branches, teardrop-shaped mushrooms with violet frills.

“It’s so bright,” said Rion.

A water-stained sheet of parchment was weighed down by a stone on the balustrade of the bridge. Vehn picked it up.

“The High have been alerted to Kan Buyak’s attack on the 194th realm,” she read aloud. “I seek other allies, but Kan Buyak has gained word of my efforts against him. Time is short—I have named my successor. Follow the spores if you would travel to the 124th realm. Go well, dwellers of Res Lfae, Wielder of the Machete, Marquis of the Spinelight, Commander of the Demonic Concord.”

Tyn shivered. If Res Tahirah had named a successor already, the situation was dire. Vehn folded the letter and replaced it on the balustrade.

“The Second Spear and I will head to the 124th realm immediately.” She traced the line of black spores with her eyes, following them into the wall of foliage. “Rion, I’d suggest that you remain here.”

He scowled. “And what happens if the two of you never return? I’m stuck in this place forever?”

“No.” She started walking. “You can await the return of Res Tahirah or the summons of Kan Buyak. If we fail, then, one way or another, you will be returned to the 194th realm.”

“Why would I listen to Kan Buyak?”

“Because if he kills Res Lfae, you will not have a choice. So I suggest you pray that Res Lfae survives. While they grant us independence, Kan Buyak’s rulership will chain us to his every command.”

“Rulership?” he exclaimed.

Vehn gave him a flat look. “Yes. If Res Lfae is defeated, their realm can be claimed by the conqueror. That is the way of things. Kan Buyak would control us from the moment he takes the 194th realm, no matter where we are.”

“We would end up as his puppets?”

Tyn touched his shoulder. “We’re going to stop him.”

“So if Kan Buyak kills Res Lfae, that’s it? We’re all dead?”

“It will be the more distinguished of Res Lfae’s dwellers who draw the god’s ire,” said Vehn. “If you evade his attention, you are likely to survive.”

“But you and Tyn? You’d be killed?”

“If we’re fortunate.”

“What does that mean?”

“Rion—” Tyn began.

“It means we’re likely to be tortured to insanity,” said Vehn without a hint of feeling. “Kan Buyak has a reputation for his treatment of insubordinate dwellers.

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