War of the Werelords by Curtis Jobling

Author:Curtis Jobling
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2013-09-22T16:00:00+00:00

8

UNEASY ALLIES

THE JOYOUS SOUNDS of merrymaking rose between the rocks of the Bana Gap as the victory celebrations reached heady heights. Even though the morning sun was up, the corridor through the mountain was still dark but for the fires the Omiri danced around. Music played, people sang, games were played, and loved ones embraced.

For all the rejoicing, though, the festivities were laced with sadness. Those who had been imprisoned within the city by the Catlord army had all but given up on freedom until the events of that night. For many, the reunions were bittersweet, friends and family having been lost to the war that had gripped the Desert Realm. Humans and therians alike were bereaved, Jackals comforting their subjects as they toasted the brave dead together.

High above the Gap, Drew Ferran stood on a stone balcony and admired the view. Here was a victory on the battlefield at last, a reason for them to cheer. He was under no illusions: one fight did not mean the war was won, but it was a start. Each triumph was another notch on the weapon belt, a step closer to the ultimate goal of a free Lyssia for every soul. It was good to see all sides mixing below, the men of Shadowhaven standing with the Omiri, Furies of Bast among their number. The vanquished enemies were long gone. The Redcloaks and Goldhelms had fled north, still fighting with one another, while the Doglords had been scattered by Faisal’s charge. Their ragtag encampment that had covered the northern desert had been ripped up by the Jackals, the Pantherlady Opal adding her fury to the Doglord misery. Their provisions had been shared out, food and wine passed to every poor, hungry soul who had been starved within the city. The Dogs had fled back to their home in Ro-Pasha, licking their wounds. Drew hoped they remained there, forever regretting their choice of ally in the war that had seized Lyssia.

A hand clapped upon his shoulder, causing him to start.

“You’ve the look of a lemming there, lad,” said Krieg. “Don’t be jumping now, after all we’ve been through!”

Drew smiled at the Rhino, his old friend from the arena on Scoria. “Until I grow a pair of wings I can’t see that happening.”

Behind Krieg stood the other gladiators from the Furnace, Taboo and the Behemoth. To find they had survived the siege of Bana had pleased Drew beyond words. Along with the Hawklords, the three had traveled to the city in the mountains to help free the imprisoned Jackals, instead finding themselves locked within the rock alongside them, their foes gathering beyond the gates. Their willingness to fight for someone else’s freedom, a world away from their homelands, was a credit to the trio’s bond with the Wolf, forged out of pain and suffering.

“Come,” said Krieg. “You’re missed at the table.”

The victorious lords and commanders remained in the hall within the mountain, enjoying a victory feast. Omiri, Sturmish, and Bastians shared food and drink, picking the night’s battle to pieces and plotting what their next step might be.

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