The Serpent's Shedding Skin (The Spirit and The Serpent Book 1) by Tim Taylor

Author:Tim Taylor [Taylor, Tim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter the Thirteenth

10:22-23 - Unto the seed of betrayal that the fallen shall beget, I shall instruct a secret place, and reveal to him a deluge that will sweep the world and destroy all the fallen that is below it. And from mine hand shall he be guided.

Sir Padmere stumbled forth to see, but the beast had become concealed by the darkness. He looked sidelong whither Edwin was wincing.

'Art thou hurt?' He asked solicitously, placing a tender grip upon Edwin's shoulder. The old man gave no reply. His eyes appeared blank, as though he was in a stupor.

'What is that being?' Edwin croaked eventually, turning to face him. 'Thou knewest all along. Is that what produced the noise in the forest -?'

'I apologise, Edwin,' Sir Padmere replied with a heavy breath. 'I thought it best not to alarm thee. In sooth I know not what they are. Queen Erelieva seemed to believe that they are a craft of man and beast amalgamated by Royal design. Art thou hurt? We feared thou wert lost.'

'A craft of man and beast,' Edwin muttered.

'Edwin? Art thou hurt? Is Tammuz okay? Where is Fourshields?'

'Fourshields ran off,' said Edwin in a distrait voice. 'I am sore from a fall but otherwise unimpaired, I think. Tammuz is unhurt.'

'Alas,' said Sir Padmere, 'haply the mule will return on the morrow. We should check to ensure thou hast not broken a bone.'

One of the city guards interrupted their speech; a burly man with a great black beard. 'Messires, if ye would follow, I shall take ye to the warmth of the barracks, 'til we receive word from the palace. They will want to hear your account.'

'We likewise have many questions, but we are starved and in dire need of rest whithersoever we may find it,' said Sir Padmere.

'Ye shall find food and dry clothes and accommodation within the barracks,' said the guard obligingly.

The city was dark and indistinguishable in the sheeting rain. Shimmering glows of orange hovered hither and thither in the void, like distant fairy lights seeping in from another realm. They were led a short way, darting under the awnings of buildings ere they came to an arcade wherein was the entrance to the barracks. The place was empty save for two men whom began a discourse with their escort. A large refectory made up the interior, with timber portals to the rear and sides. They were handed loose brown cassocks and cords and prompted to change in an antechamber ere they were offered seats around the refectory's large oak-wood table, whereupon they were given a large serving of stale bread, cheese and a pitcher of ale. They scoffed it all down with silent relish. A wetnurse was procured from the city and came to feed the child. They were shown to sleeping quarters in the rear thereafter, and forthwith they sank into the straw mattresses, fading into an abyss. Dreams haunted Sir Padmere, of dogs and wild beasts, and a strange sense of residue, a magic upon the air that stagnated his speed until there was no hope for flight.

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