Chapter 12: Crater Investigation (2)

Chapter 12: Crater Investigation (2)

There were only two other mages on Mannemid who studied the order of Buhhu, and the thought of either of them somehow being out here in the wilderness randomly summoning Abhorrent seemed completely laughable. If this Abhorrent wasnt summoned, then.

Rihan, fall back, Tamharu said.

The pale womans eyes opened and she looked around slowly. Ya shlf n'ghft ep, she said in a voice both resonant and grating, the words she spoke so incomprehensible as to be nightmarish.

Rihan backed up, catching his foot on a rock and stumbling slightly. At the same time, the woman extended her hand in his direction. The movement revealed her breast, but Xerxes wasnt paying attention to that as he watched her fingers suddenly extend unnaturally in Rihans direction. They moved quickly, like striking snakes, arcing through the air toward the soldier.

Rihan was no stranger to combat situations, and ducked behind his shield. But the fingers seemed to ignore any known laws of physiology or motion as they simply curved around the barrier.

Before Rihan could react, two of them stabbed into his neck and shoulder, while the others wrapped around his arms. He shrieked miserably and slashed at one of the white fingers with his spear, severing it. The severed portion, which had been wrapped around his forearm, dissolved into a white ichor that splattered to the ground beneath him.

Loose arrows! Tamharu shouted.

Two arrows flew forth, one piercing the womans chest, just below her collarbone, the other hitting her arm. She ignored the arrows. Then a squelching sound could be heard as the just-severed finger reared back and then shot forward, stabbing into Rihans biceps. Xerxes heart flip-flopped at the horror of it.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Fuck! Rihan shrieked, and again slashed at the gangly fingers.

Sir? Bel said, her hand hovering above her component pouch.

Just wait, Tamharu said. After all, Bel needed to touch someone for her healing spell to work.

The Abhorrent woman jerked her arm, and the bizarrely extended fingers began to retract, pulling Rihan with them, dragging him along the ground despite how he kicked with his feet and swung his spear wildly.

Loose arrows again! Tamharu shouted. Ap, get back here now! Mages, take cover.

Two more he dodged mostly by luck and the way his body shifted after moving his sword. The fifth missed him as he tilted his head to the side.

He could see the disgusting, maggoty flesh inches from him, and the stench from it was almost overpowering.

He heard a choking sound from his left, and turned his head to see that one of the fingers had curved to the side and pierced Tekinalp through the throat.

A slithering, slurping sound could be heard as the rest of the fingers similarly curved toward the now-doomed soldier. The bow tumbled from his hand as fingers pierced his belly and wrapped around his arms, then started dragging him back toward the crater.

Back down the hill! Tamharu snapped.

Xerxes took a step backward, and watched in horror as Tekinalp was pulled inexorably toward the pale, many-legged Abhorrent woman. Then he turned and scrambled down the hill, flipping his sword to face backward along the way.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! blubbered Ap.

The other surviving soldier, Goran, wasnt saying anything, but his face was nearly green as he lunged his way down the hill.

The trees will give us more cover, Tamharu said. Mages, you can run faster. Dont hesitate. Get back to the camp immediately!

Sir, Xerxes replied, what if

Thats an order! the sergeant shouted. Get back to the camp!

Gorans foot caught on something, and he tumbled. Being just off to the side, Bel slid to a stop and knelt to help him, wrapping her hand under his arm to pull him up.

Which was when five white streaks stabbed into her.