The End of Dragons by Mark Stay

Author:Mark Stay [Stay, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unusually Tall Stories Limited
Published: 2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

ELF SHOT

The ceiling of Valter’s room was low, and Malachy found himself stooping as he helped the bulky gaoler to his bed. It was a sparse room. Two ale barrels with taps, both emptied and on their sides, sat in a dark corner. The bed was strewn with wrinkled clothes, and a pisspot sat within easy reach. A dresser stood by the fireplace with a few trinkets on its surface, including a Taranis army cadet badge. Above the dresser hung a portrait of an older man in uniform – Valter’s father, Malachy guessed – alongside a ceremonial sword with a dull edge.

Malachy heaved Valter onto his bed, which was easy enough, but getting the great lump to lie on his side was another matter.

‘Not on your back, Valter. If you puke again, you’ll choke on it. Seen it happen too many times.’ Malachy managed to wedge Valter in place by propping him up with the wrinkled clothes. He then took a belt from the pile and wrapped it around Valter’s arms, pinning them to his sides.

‘What… what’re you doin’?’ Valter slurred.

‘I require your full attention, Valter, and I don’t want you flying off the handle, so you’ll appreciate that I need to take a few precautions. You understand, don’t you, sunshine?’ Malachy patted the big man on the cheek before taking out a grey, stained handkerchief from his back pocket and gagging him with it. Valter struggled as Malachy tightened the gag, but it was a tired, half-hearted effort.

‘Don’t waste your energy, Valter. Y’see, here’s the thing – and don’t get cross – but I put a little something in your stout back at the Lock and Key. You ever hear of Morven Bloodroot?’

Valter groaned. It sounded like he had.

‘Easy enough to get, if you know how. Most pharmacists stock it as it’s very good at unblocking your pipes, so to speak, and there are even a few who will sell you more than is necessary, no questions asked, if you slip ’em a few extra coins. Well, Valter, you may be a big fella, but I’ve given you enough to have you shitting through the eye of a needle for days.’

Valter groaned again as his stomach gurgled.

‘And it makes you weak, which suits me because I have some questions for you, Valter. In particular, about any witches or warlocks that you might be looking after in your cells.’

‘Go fuff yourfelf,’ Valter managed through the gag.

‘Oh, deary me.’ Malachy exhaled heavily. ‘And here I was thinking we could have a civilised conversation. But to be fair to you, I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with, Vally, my lad. Let me show you something.’ Malachy plucked the floppy felt hat from his head, revealing his pointed ears.

Valter stiffened, then writhed in panic, legs kicking about.

With one hand, Malachy pushed Valter down onto the straw bedding, and with the other he drew something sharp from within his jerkin and pressed it against the soft flesh under Valter’s jaw. The gaoler stopped wriggling, his chest heaving like an old bellows.

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