Spear of Shadows - Josh Reynolds by Warhammer

Author:Warhammer
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781785727283
Published: 2017-07-25T10:29:15+00:00

Thirteen

Hunter of The Skies

Adhema watched the crew of the aether-vessel scurry about their tasks, as the Zank glided far above the Amber Steppes. She leaned against the rail, watching the night pass by, and the shadow of the vessel trail across the grasslands far below. She peered down as a herd of wild horses galloped along, just ahead of whatever pursued them. Three days out from Shu’gohl and there was blood in the air, and death on the wind. Despite this, the heartbeats of the duardin around her were steady enough that she was almost lulled into hibernation. Only the smell kept her awake.

Due to the altitude, or perhaps because of the curious function of the aether-endrins, odour crystallised here. The sour rock stink of duardin hung frozen in the air, and she was unable to escape it. She resolved to ignore it as best she could. But it was hard.

It had been worse in the hold, with the others. The rank odour of the demigryph mingling with the stink of the duardin and the blood-song of the others, growing stronger day by day. Three days out, and she’d had enough. A confined space was too much like a tomb and she’d spent enough time inside one of those for one eternity. It wasn’t much better out here, however. Duardin everywhere.

There were Kharadron traders in Shyish, though it was rare they descended past the highest mountain peaks, where their native kin dwelt. The duardin clans of Shyish rarely lived beneath the earth, instead preferring the heights. There were too many things creeping through the dark of the underworld for their liking, she suspected. Some risked it – the duardin of the deserts and wastelands of the south, for instance. But others made their nests in mountain peaks, away from the gaze of those who travelled below.

Wise, perhaps, given the incessant wars that still raged across the kingdoms of the living and the dead alike.

Now she speaks of wisdom. How droll, sister. And was it wise, then, in your considered opinion, to join your fate to those of these others?

‘I was merely following your example, my lady,’ Adhema whispered. The wind took her words, but she knew Neferata could hear them nonetheless. She was not startled by her queen’s sudden interjection. She had been expecting it since leaving Shu’gohl. ‘Strong allies make for high ramparts, as you have so often said.’

And are they strong, then?

‘Strong enough. There are more hunters on the trail than we anticipated. Given that, I thought it best to eliminate competition and gain a few more swords at my back in one fell swoop.’ She looked up, watching the clouds break like waves. ‘I saw an opportunity and seized it. Am I to be chastised for that?’

Careful, Adhema. You dance perilously close to insubordination.

‘I was often complimented for my dancing, in Szandor.’

So I recall.

Adhema sensed Neferata’s amusement. ‘They will serve well enough to ward my flanks, before the last charge. And when the day is won, and our enemy lies gasping out his life, I will claim that which I seek, as is only fair.

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