The Trickster's Tale: Is That a Lute in Your Pocket?: by J Pal

Author:J Pal [Pal, J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B09S8QWGJD
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2022-05-10T04:00:00+00:00

The missing wyvern appeared, trampling dozens of goblins as it charged toward the bramble wall. Dirk and Grog tried blocking it in unison, but the monster spread its wings and leapt, gliding over them into the cloud of silver sparrows. They tried repelling it, but a stream of blue flame burst from its mouth, freezing the little birds. The summoned spirits turned into solid ice figurines before falling from the air. I heard them shattering on the protected patch around the shaman.

“No!” Dirk yelled while Grog froze. He appeared concerned, and I couldn’t tell whether it was because of Kraine’s possible demise or the likelihood of ending up without a spiritual lead for the tribe.

Yells and roars sounded from within the bramble wall as blue flames leaked through the gaps between the vines. The conjured vegetation darkened and froze, all signs of life disappearing from them. I held my breath, worrying the beast had slain my friend along with my nemesis.

Then the bramble wall exploded outward. Four golden giants rose from a crouch, one of them holding the wyvern by its throat. The summoned giant grabbed the monster’s wing and twisted it, audibly snapping bone. A choked screech escaped the wyvern but cut off abruptly when the giant threw the beast. The force carried the creature across the battlefield and over the plateau’s edge, where the injured female wyvern had disappeared earlier.

Two of the giants remained by the shaman’s side, guarding him, Gurk, and the other acolyte. The sparrow summoner lay on the ground, pale and unmoving. His left arm had disappeared just below the elbow, and a pink leafed branch hung from Gurk’s staff. Its leaves showered the acolyte, slowly patching the stump.

The other two giants charged onto the battlefield, swiping at the hatchlings. Some blows outright crushed them. The others lifted them off the ground, forcing them to take flight. I recognized the summons. Kraine had used them to defeat the felin Champion before me. I guessed it was the most powerful spell in his repertoire.

Silently approaching the giants, I focused my Mana Sense. The bone totem hanging from Kraine’s hip shone like a blinding beacon. Silver chains extended from it, connecting him to the bands around the giants’ necks and wrists. The powerful entities were his slaves. My discovery washed away all previous doubts and steeled my resolve. Kraine cared for his own but treated all other lives as commodities. He was a tyrant waiting to happen.

I bet that if he continued to grow at his current rate, the shaman would eventually turn on the chieftain’s seat and make a play for sole leadership. Grog likely suspected Kraine’s ambitions too. It was the reason he wanted the shaman gone. However, Grog couldn’t attack the tribe’s spiritual leader outright. It would cost him his people’s favor. As a result, he had no choice but to play along. Now Grog had agreed to overlook my crimes. He wouldn’t help me or work against me, but I could now count on his inaction.

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