The Familiars #3: Circle of Heroes by Epstein Adam Jay & Jacobson Andrew

Author:Epstein, Adam Jay & Jacobson, Andrew [Epstein, Adam Jay]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2012-09-03T17:00:00+00:00

10

STANDOFF AT JABAL TUR

“Look, the queen’s soldiers are here,” Gilbert said excitedly.

He pointed a webbed finger toward an encampment of gray tents. Pennants staked into the ground surrounded the camp. Each was decorated with the bronze gate that Aldwyn recognized as the symbol of Bronzhaven.

As the group moved closer, they realized that the tents were mostly deserted. A lone fire burned outside one of the larger shelters. Rows of injured warriors were lying on their backs outside the tents, some with severe wounds. A healing raven fluttered from one to the next, rubbing its feathers along the gashes and broken bones. A robed man bandaged them up after the black bird had finished its magic.

The raven recognized Aldwyn, Skylar, and Gilbert instantly.

“The Prophesized Three,” said the bird. “You should turn around and get as far away from here as possible. A battle rages between Paksahara’s and Loranella’s armies for control of the second glyphstone at the center of Jabal Tur. You won’t be safe.”

“We must get to the Abyssmal Canyon,” replied Skylar. “And this is the only way.”

They galloped uphill through the trees, the Kailasa mountains looming closer. Occasionally they passed a wounded soldier dragging himself in the direction of the healing raven’s tent. Deeper into the pine forest, Aldwyn recoiled from the familiar, unpleasant stench of decaying flesh. He looked to the south and saw a swath of destruction made by Paksahara’s zombie hordes. And it wasn’t just bony footprints, trampled ground, and crushed saplings that had been left behind. Chunks of rotting muscle and cartilage were scattered like a revolting trail of bread crumbs.

The band of six and Lothar came up over a wooded rise and, in the fading daylight, stared down at the ruins of Jabal Tur. The scene was difficult for Aldwyn to fully take in on first glance. He knew that these ancient ruins had once held a magnificent city, but little remained from that golden time. Marble columns jutted upward, no longer supporting their vaulted rooftops. Patterned tile floors were all that was left of the sun temples. And at the center of the ruins was a giant stone protected on all sides by Loranella’s army.

“The second glyphstone,” said Banshee, her voice filled with awe.

Dead animals of all kinds were moving in waves against lines of Loranella’s shielded and armored human soldiers.

“Look at all these zombies,” said Gilbert. “Where did they come from?”

“Paksahara has spread her obsidian all over Vastia,” Orion said. “Some look like they’re from the mountains, others the Hinterwoods. I’d bet she’s even raised animals from the burial grounds of the once-great zoo of Mukrete.”

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