Chapter 15

  They reached the underground cavern the fight had taken place in after who knew how long. Everything had been a blur after he’d thrown the red captain off the balcony and watched him fall that very long way down towards the ground. It was over, it hadn’t really been that long of a job but it had felt like months. They were all still there, huddled beside the pit but now it had a massive metal cover over it made of what looked like bronze.

  That hadn’t been there, he was pretty sure of that but now it was and the place felt wholly less evil for it. With an effort, Ag guided Nacine towards the group, she leaned on him heavily, her fight having taken more out of her than his. They slumped down beside the group, all eyes on them, expectant.

  “All finished?” Torvund asked with a groan.

  “Aye, all done. We had a nice long chat. Turns out he’s not so bad once you get to know him.” Ag sighed, laying back on the cold stone.

  “Is that right?” Torvund chuckled. “Well maybe we should have skipped sneaking through mountains and fighting stone skin and just sent him a letter.”

  “So where’s this reformed red captain now?” Tatsum asked.

  “Unfortunately he took a bit of a tumble in all that rain. He’s at the bottom of the tower now, he found the fast way down.”

  They nodded and went quiet. It took them awhile to move but in time they did, when all were bandaged and had been given a chance to catch their breaths. The dead they left, even if Ag had wanted to bring Martine’s body they had little enough supplies and any delay and extra weight might cost them. He didn’t relish trying to carry a corpse on that narrow walkway above the bog.

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  The bog itself, while still fogged and stinking, was quiet. The horde that had rushed up the stairs must have come from the feted marsh and all areas around. Whoever Andelmar sent to scout the spire would have an easier time of it than they.

  The march back to their horse was uneventful, and their ride through the mountains even more so. Whispers followed them through the mighty pines, not evil as you would expect from the tower, more curious. They didn’t stop to investigate what might cause the sounds in those untouched peaks.

  Down the ridge they went, the village that had cost them so many men was still a ruin in the distance. They gave it a wide berth. Genine seemed in far greater spirits and the Therudi they’d pulled out of the cell recovered quickly. He was very similar to his brother, if a bit more reserved, and a decent fellow by all accounts.

  When they’d reached the mountain's base and were into the valley and the highway they’d followed, the Therudi left them. Genine went with them, not wanting to be separated from her love. With them off to the woods they called home it was a small company that made the trek back to Perouth. Ag, Marus, Torvund, and Esker, the last four to ride on, not for home but hopefully to rest and a reward.

  The town seemed very much the same, which was to be expected, it hadn’t been more than a week. The gates swung open and they were given an open path to the house of the lord. He was waiting for them as they arrived, his face as dour as ever.

  “We bring good news, lord.” Torvund called. “A red captain dead and all his stone skin turned to ash.”

  “A remarkable feat.” Andelmar intoned. “How did you manage to burn all those creatures without being caught yourselves?”

  “A bit of luck.” Ag replied as he dismounted. “Now, about the reward.”

  “All you are owed will be given.” The lord said, the faintest hint of a smile on his face. “But for now, rest, and recover your strength.”

  Ag didn’t argue, he let himself be guided to a bed and collapsed as soon as the door shut, not bothering to remove his weapons or armor. What a week, and he was glad to be done. The next job had better be something a lot simpler than this one. He was getting sick of lords sending him on insane death quests.

  With that final thought he closed his eyes and slept for a long time. He just hoped no one would steal his lute.