The Queen of Duska by David Viergutz

Author:David Viergutz [Viergutz, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781733411424
Published: 2021-01-24T22:00:00+00:00

The new studded leather armor was heavy and stiff. Combined with her lack of hair and the need to keep her hood up, traveling was far more comfortable wearing it at night than in her own armor during the day. After Avana had changed, the crew met her outside and turned left, heading up a minor northwestern road. They walked together, four abreast, in the center of the deserted road and didn’t see a guard unit. They were nearly out of the city, and even then, the guard gave a half glance and kept moving, either uninterested or intimidated.

Once beyond the reaches of town, they trudged along at a steady pace, just slow enough that they didn’t sweat in the crisp morning air. They followed a cobblestone road leading away from the Fringe, but just outside the city the path ended and became tamped-down earth. She turned her face toward the light breeze from north and enjoyed the quiet night, her mind drifting to thoughts of Cereal and the castle and her friends. Cereal was somewhere in the dark. She wondered if he was alone. She remembered that awful shadow standing in the doorway, haunting him, waiting for him, and she shivered. She still had a chance to help him. She just hoped she had the time. If she could get to the Book, she knew in her heart she could fix this.

Avana took up the rearmost position in the line, giving them their semblance of privacy. She knew she was intruding on their campaign. She allowed an extra space between herself and the demon hunter in front of her, unsure of which one it was. Once she felt comfortable, she cleared her mind and reached out with it to speak to the demon.

“Do you think I can help Cereal?” She waited for a response but the demon didn’t reply.

“Pemazu? Awaken,” she commanded, invoking its name.

I’m here.

“What’s gotten into you?”

I’m weak. Our energy is very low and I am the one who suffers. Any more magic and I fear we will become much more acquainted on the Thin Line for a measly amount of time. Something called eternity.

“Fair enough. How do we get you more energy?”

The problem here is you keep suggesting it is I who needs the energy, when it is you. You are the user and I am a conduit.

“Fine. We. How do we get more energy?”

You need to find something with magical properties, something alive, and kill it. I can harvest the essence for you from that point. Until you’re ready for my part, how about you do yours? The demon finished squeaking and a sharp pain shot up her left arm and throbbed with her heartbeat like a nagging bug bite.

She pulled back her sleeve to examine the rubies embedded in her arm that were protected by a metal gauntlet. A faint red glow pulsed in the gem farthest up her arm. The pulsing mirrored the aching, and the aching mirrored her heartbeat. It was the demon’s not-so-friendly reminder of what needed to be done.

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