The Last Knotbinder by K.K. Ness

Author:K.K. Ness [Ness, K.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-05T16:00:00+00:00

17

The forest grew denser as the week progressed, with the canopy of leaves so thick it blocked the sun. The few fingerlings that braved the forest’s edge scattered in Fira’s wake as she thumped and crashed through the undergrowth. She’d taken to hunting her own meals, and once scared a herd of deer onto the road before pouncing on one unfortunate creature.

Matteo had gawked with nauseated fascination as Fira left scarcely an antler behind in her feasting. Fira still begged for treats throughout the day, and Captain Sebani ordered the Protectors to take turns carrying the jerky bag to give Kainon some respite. The Protectors took to the task with varying degrees of eagerness and caution.

Several days of travelling surrounded by dense trees ended when the forest on one side of the road suddenly dropped away, revealing an escarpment that looked over Bone Lake.

The lake stretched a fair way to the horizon, surrounded by forest. On the shoreline, a stone tower rose above the trees, with a collection of buildings outside its walls.

But Matteo found his gaze drawn to the solitary island about a mile from the grey-pebbled shore. The Sanctuary appeared little more than a walled forest with a hill toward the center of the island.

Matteo pushed aside his disappointment. Even from their vantage point, there was nothing remarkable to be seen—no fortress or glittering pile of jewels or sight of a dragon slumbering in a clearing.

They moved down the escarpment to the shore. Gentle waves lapped amongst the rocks. The air over the water’s surface seemed alive with static, making the hairs on Matteo’s arms dance.

Sebani pointed to a circle of water close to the Sanctuary that appeared unnaturally still. “See there, Matteo? That’s the final resting place of a dragon that dove to its death millennia ago. The water’s so clear you can see its bones from the tribute barge.”

There was reverence in her voice, but Matteo thought it sounded ghoulish.

Kainon was strangely silent and white-lipped on his horse, his unfocussed gaze on the Sanctuary island.

Leading their horses along the bank, they reached the chapter house. Taverns and rooming houses lined the streets, but it was surprisingly quiet. A tense heaviness gripped the air, and Matteo noticed a number of the Protectors rode with their hands resting close to their swords.

The street led them to the chapter house. Matteo heard upraised voices long before they reached the fortress walls. Turning a corner, Matteo reckoned as many as fifty people crowded close to the entrance.

A dozen Protectors watched them from the wall, seemingly unmoved by their presence.

“You deny us Tlalam!” a pilgrim shouted.

“I travelled the length of the kingdom to get here!” another complained.

“They want the dragon’s secrets for themselves!”

Sebani quietly ordered the contingent to stop.

The crowd appeared increasingly angry. One woman banged her fist against the wooden gate.

“Open up! You can’t send us away.”

A Protector leaned over the wall to shout at them. “Curfew begins at sunset. Disperse yourselves immediately!”

A handful of people jeered.

Kainon touched Fira’s golden shoulder.

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