Summoners' Keep: An Epic Fantasy Steampunk Cthulu Space Opera (The Red Horn Saga Book 3) by J.R. Mabry & Mickey Asteriou

Author:J.R. Mabry & Mickey Asteriou [Mabry, J.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Xenophile Press
Published: 2020-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

The Lizard King Abraxis towered over the dwarfs. The ceiling of the lesser audience chamber was too low for him to stand upright in, and Belorin could see that the monster chafed at having to stoop. But he pretended it was not a problem.

“Would you…would you like some ale?” King Banniffe asked.

“No,” the Lizard King said breathily. He circled, looking for a place to sit. The chairs were too small for him, and the room was small enough to make a creature of his size claustrophobic. It occurred to Belorin that the Lizard King probably could not fit through the doors, either—not that he needed to. Finally, Abraxis sat on his tail, his back leaning against the spot where two walls came together.

His lips pulled back in what was probably an attempt at a smile, yet revealed so many sharp teeth that any placating effect was nullified. “Your royal highnesssesss have much to dissscusss, no doubt,” the Lizard King hissed. “Ssso I’ll not keep you. Your Master, Saklasss, Lord of the Universe, demands your fealty—your loyalty, your resssources, and your ssswords.”

Belorin noted that he used the ancient dwarfish name for the Dark Lord, rather than the elven name, Ialdaboth, or the name the humans had given him, Samael.

“And what if we do not wish to swear our fealty to the Dark Lord?” High King Banniffe asked.

“This is sssimple. You will become hisss servantsss,” Abraxis said, turning over one clawed hand, “or you will become hisss sssupper.”

“You are saying that unless I swear fealty to you, Saklas will eat our planet, just as he ate the planet of the Black Elves?”

“Just as he ate Fondolyn Illasyntir, yesss,” said Abraxis. “Although, whichever you choose, there is no need for alarm. He isss a fassst eater. None will sssuffer...much.”

“That is small comfort,” Banniffe groused.

“If it isss comfort you ssseek, I sssuggessst you take comfort in the fact that you are being given a choice in your dessstiny. It is a great boon, indeed.” Abraxis lowered his head, as if to emphasize the humility of the offer.

“You ask us to choose between two different methods of execution,” Belorin said.

“Nonsssenssse. Only one of thessse two choices requires you to die.” The Lizard King turned the same hand over again.

The dwarf kings looked at each other. There was no surprise in their gaze, for each suspected this was the choice that was coming. Belorin detected real pleading in Banniffe’s eyes, as if the high king were expecting him to supply a third option. But Belorin had no other option to offer. Instead, he stalled by asking for more information. “Tell me, Lord Abraxis,” Belorin began, “What is it the Dark Lord wants?”

“Firssst of all, he wantsss you to ssstop calling him ‘The Dark Lord.’ He sssussspectsss that you do not mean it in a way that flattersss him.”

The dwarf kings met each other’s eyes again, then both looked back at the Lizard King.

“But…more to your quessstion,” Abraxis continued. “What does Saklasss want? What do any of usss want?” He raised both hands, almost to his shoulders, affecting an awkward shrug.

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