Dalton Reed [All Things Impossible 01] Crown of the Realm 2e (pdf)

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sighed. I imagine this is how the chemmen escaped. He glanced sideways at Thistle.
The storm-reader shrugged mutely.
Or, Der postulated, If the chemmen did so many horrible experiments before their
banishment, what makes you think they didn t just experiment their way out of Darkreign?
Well said. Jakkobb nodded quickly. He silently clapped his massive hands. Time for
lunch.
Out here? Der looked around uneasily.
Out here, we know the dangers. Once we get through the thin spot into Darkreign, the
gods only know what s there.
Well, that makes sense. I suppose. She shrugged, oddly relaxed.
The noisome air grew loud in their noses as they approached the swallow hole.
Salinienn even pinched his nostrils closed. The ground grew squishier by the step.
They slung off their packs, and Der pulled out a little brown package. It rattled when she
shook it. What the hell is this?
Fienan chuckled. That would be one of the many luxurious meals prepared for you.
Kelin shook his own package. Bread crumbs?
Salinienn chuckled. Of course not. Perhaps a little. No, these are specially prepared
and dried meals. All we need do is add water.
The humans stared at him.
All Things Impossible Crown of the Realm Dalton�191
He held up his package and cut the wax that had kept it sealed. He took the water from
one of his skins and poured a little inside. I will admit that I prefer these with hot water, but
cool water is still fine.
Fienan joined in, It takes this food years to spoil and it is obviously much lighter to
carry.
They all used their own waterskins to fill their pouches. The river water could only taste
worse than it smelled. Soon, the dried food began to soak up the water and become moist and
flavorful. As the party waited for the food to soak in the water, they looked around at their
surroundings.
Der murmured, I swear that I see shadows moving back there.
Jakkobb said, I hope not. I hope that you re just a little on edge.
She watched. She was fairly certain that she saw the shadows moving against the wind,
behind the trees, behind that rock.
That s good.
She startled out of her concentration to see Fienan sitting next to her, also watching.
Take a good look around, he said. It might be the last time. He waved his hand
overhead at the blanket of clouds. The light was leaking from the horizons it was nearly
nightfall here. The world began to wash out to gray.
Salinienn stepped up silently beside them. The storm-reader s light. That s what those
gray moments at dawn and dusk are named. Tis oft said that this is when chemmen eyes are
the most acute.
We re almost there too. Kelin popped his knuckles.
Thistle said, This is only the entrance, not the journey. He rose from the ground like a
striking serpent. Movement.
The brush under the trees trembled and a small figure burst from it, running as fast as
his little legs could carry him.
Thalon! Kelin tried to yell and inhale at the same time.
The boy stumbled in between their legs. They re out there! They re coming! He
stopped short of diving in between his father s legs.
What s coming? Fienan whispered sharply.
Big things! They re green, like puke and, and with teeth!
Ogres. Jakkobb slowly unsheathed the giant axe.
Thistle grabbed his son by the ear and yanked. He growled something harshly in a
language Der did not know, but the boy s face paled even more.
Lunch is over, the knight said steadily, moving slowly. We re going, now.
But the boy! Salinienn protested. We can t take him with us.
Well, we can t leave him here, Fienan snapped.
Thalon started crying. Dad, you couldn t leave me behind, not again! It s not fair!
Be silent! Jakkobb hissed. It was too late, he already heard the rustling in the trees
surrounding them. Everyone, run!
A few crude, ugly logs of arrows thudded down short of their party. They flew without
precision, but packed too much punch. The party ran toward the center of the muddy ring,
sinking further into the mud with every step. Der feared losing a boot as she slowed and sank
to her knees in the mud.
We won t be able to breathe! Kelin yelped.
All Things Impossible Crown of the Realm Dalton�192
It s a thin spot! Fienan hollered back. Just hold your breath and you ll come out the
other side muddy, but breathing!
Jakkobb waded to nearly the center, and pulled the mud back with his shovel like hands
as if he were digging for treasure. He inhaled deeply and plunged face first into the muck. He
squelched down and vanished wholly into the mud. Suddenly, the world felt emptier.
Thalon, riding on Thistle s shoulders, beat on his father s ears. Go! Go! Der, come on!
More arrows spiked down around them, much closer to their mark.
Der pressed a hand against her drumming heart and fought every step of the way to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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