Chapter 23: Something Big…. (1)

Chapter 23: Something Big.... (1)

Whats the situation? Aban Saddi asked.

Walking to the table, Shemesh said, While investigating the incident in Garden Terrace, we followed a lead that took us out toward the city walls. We found a warehouse there, with a tunnel leading to the outside. Probably built by smugglers, but controlled by fucking cultists. Some Abhorrent ambushed us. Now theyre loose in the city.

Aban Saddi nodded. Something similar happened to Ninsunu.

Shemesh exhaled heavily. Considering how it played out, I I have no choice but to admit I was wrong. He looked at Ninsunu. Youre right, Nina. At least about their goal. It seems obvious that theyre after us.

But if thats the case, why have they been slaughtering the Unsighted? Aban Saddi asked.

If theyre after melam, then it makes sense, Ninsunu said. The Unsighted have melam within them, just not huge stockpiles like we do. Even flies are meat, right?

I never thought Id see the day, Shemesh said, when I agreed completely with Nina. But yes, that analogy makes sense.

Ninsunu tilted her head up slightly. The group of Abhorrents we uncovered chased us halfway across the city before disappearing. Somewhere between Harborview and here. Presumably, something similar happened with you?

He nodded. We fought our way free from the initial onslaught. Then ran. And yes, at a certain point, they stopped pursuing us. Frankly I was too concerned with our own safety to confirm where exactly they went.

Aban Saddi massaged his temples. At least we know our previous theory about how they got inside was correct. Tunnels.

Its the same in Harborview as well, Ninsunu said. The slums have two or three smuggler tunnels to every one that exists elsewhere.

Fighting isnt everything. Remember what happened at Ligish Castle? Your spellcasting saved my life. Keep your component pouch ready.

Yeah.

The soldiers took their responsibility seriously, leaving two of their number to guard the entrance door, and stationing the others in key locations both in the room and down the hall.

After laying on the bed, Xerxes was certain he would be woken up within minutes to hear about a massive wave of Abhorrent monsters storming the castle. The thought was so terrifying that he didnt think he could sleep. However, exhaustion caught up to him quickly, and before he realized it, he was snoring.

A nightmare woke him just before the sun rose, and he couldnt sleep after that. Everything was quiet; obviously, there hadnt been any sort of nighttime assault on the keep. He lay in bed, thinking about how strange the world had become, and wondering what the day would bring. Would they flee the city to try to draw out the Abhorrent? Or would Ninsunu finally convince Aban Saddi to have everyone hide in the castle?

Xerxes wasnt quite sure what his opinion was. If it came to a vote, hed probably just go along with whatever side seemed likely to win.

There were different soldiers in the room. Theyd obviously changed shifts during the night. There were also a few other sleeping forms.

He quietly left, escorted by three soldiers, to get breakfast. He hoped to go find his mother and sister after that, but before he could, word came from Aban Saddi that everyone needed to gather for a meeting. This time, the council chamber was packed, not only with the mages who had been missing the night before, but also with governmental and military figures, including King Nabuhisnuisin and Colonel Nur-Ayya.

One of the mages to return was Fale of Od, who had been Bels mentor and close friend. She had the same fair skin and hair as Bel and Captain Ishki, but her braids were longer and interspersed with bone jewelry. And her mage garments were altered to be much more utilitarian and decidedly less modest.

Is it true? she yelled before she was even through the door. Is Bels corpse just sitting out there for the dogs and crows to eat?

Im sorry, Fale, said Aban Saddi.

Fale then unleashed a scream of rage that left Xerxes ears ringing and his chest tight as he suddenly found himself recalling the horror of the bridge.