Strange Companions: Chronicles of the Dawnblade, #2 by Andrew Claydon

Author:Andrew Claydon
Format: epub

Chapter 16

Almost immediately after entering the temple, they were stopped by a second set of equally formidable doors. Half of what could’ve been called a reception area was closed off by bars, beyond which sat a vast array of weapons, ranging from the practical to the exotic. With the odd disturbingly brutal one thrown in.

Lucas raised a palm the size of Nicolas’s head. ‘Check your weapons here.’

Thankfully, he’d left the Dawn Blade with the rest of their gear in the hollow tree where Shift’s stash had been. A manservant carrying a sword wasn’t in keeping with the character, it’d been explained to him. That was all right for the rest, as they’d gotten to take their weapons with them into the den of villainy. Until now. Maybe now they’d know how naked he felt without the sword. Although, come to think of it, his companions’ weapons had been his last protection if something went wrong. He tried to put that to the back of his mind. No one would look at a servant, according to Shift, but if they did, they might ask questions if he were shaking like a leaf.

Garaz handed over his sword to the guard behind an opening in the bars in exchange for some kind of chip. Silva seemed less inclined to comply. The warrior’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment it seemed she’d start using rather than surrendering them. One glance from her master was all it took to change the warriors mind, thankfully. Though Nicolas was surprised at the number of weapons she handed over.

Where does she keep them all? She barely wears anything…

The thought of Silva’s flesh-to-armour ratio inspired some others that he quickly shooed away so as not to lose focus on the task at hand.

‘You carry no weapon?’ Lucas asked Shift.

‘Oh Deities, no.’ Shift laughed. ‘Do I look like I fight? That’s why I keep these with me.’ Breezily, Shift gestured to Garaz and Silva.

Garaz did his best to look menacing; Silva did it naturally.

‘Very well.’ With a satisfied nod, the minotaur gestured for the guards at the door to open it. Though Lucas had been polite and proper so far, he would undoubtedly be a nightmare beast if provoked. Hopefully, they’d never have to find out.

With a grunt, the two men pushed the heavy double doors apart, revealing a large chamber that had obviously once been used for devotion to…whatever this temple was built for. Now it was devoted to gaming and sin.

The builders of this temple would be outraged if they saw it now.

The place must’ve been restructured, as the inside certainly didn’t match the temple’s simple look from without. It was almost as if he were in the grand hall of some castle. Actually, he’d been in a castle recently, and this was fancier.

Glowing orbs at regular intervals along the wall bathed the tables and their patrons in dim light. Each table hosted games of chance—cards and cups and some he didn’t recognise. But where a game was played, money was wagered on the outcome.

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