Oracle (Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

,” Kendril said. “A small, pathetic man worshipping a false goddess who in all probability doesn’t even know you’re alive or care.”
    Abid stepped forward with a growl.
    “Now I think you should know who I am,” Kendril continued. He turned his head so that his scars were just visible in the faint light that filtered in through the porthole. “I’m Kendril, Demonbane of Vorten. Now where is Bronwyn? Is she onboard?”
    The robed man took a second, as if composing himself. He forced out a laugh. “The woman ? You came here for her? Then you can die disappointed. The witch left the ship this morning.”
    “Where did she go?” Kendril snarled.
    “Yes, you would like to know, wouldn’t you?” The cultist sneered. “Well, you can die in ignorance, knowing that your last efforts in life were ultimately futile.” He stepped over to Kendril and leaned over the Ghostwalker. “As the avatar of Reianu tears you to pieces, you can—”
    “Great Eru in Pelos,” Kendril cursed, “do you ever just shut up ?”
    The robed man stepped back. “We’ll see what you say after we leave you alone in the hold with Reianu’s Blessing for a few minutes after Abid opens her cage. Your screams and cries for help will be delicious music to my ears.” He gave a high-pitched giggle. “I almost feel sorry for you, left here as food for the beast, with your arms tied and—”
    “Oh,” said Kendril casually, “my arms aren’t tied. I cut through the ropes about sixty seconds ago.”
    The robed man stopped and stared at Kendril.
    Kendril leapt up and slammed his fist into the stunned man’s face.
    He flew back and slammed hard against the bars of the iron cage.
    There was a shrieking roar that cut through the ears of everyone in the hold.
    Marley screamed.
    Kendril spun around and shook off the last of the ropes.
    Abid came right for him, scimitar lifted high.
    Kendril hurled the remains of the ropes at the huge man.
    Abid ducked, then lashed down with his massive scimitar.
    Kendril hit the deck and rolled. He slammed up against one of the walls, bruising his shoulder.
    The scimitar cut deeply into the floorboards where Kendril had been.
    Abid cursed loudly in a foreign tongue, then wrenched his scimitar free.
    The beast, whatever it was, moved in the cage and shrieked again. Its high-pitched wail caused everyone to freeze for a moment.
    Everyone except for Kendril.
    He needed a weapon, and fast. The small knife that he had used cut his bonds was one he kept hidden just inside his sleeve. It was barely larger than his finger, and hardly a decent combat weapon.
    He backed against a barrel in the darkness and put out his hand in a desperate attempt to find something, anything he could use to defend himself.
    The robed man turned towards the cage and fiddled with the lock.
    Marley screamed. “Great Eru, don’t let it out —”
    Abid rushed forward.
    Kendril dashed to one side and pushed over a barrel.
    Abid tumbled over the crashing barrel and fell to the ground.
    Kendril turned for the open stairwell and dashed up the steps.
    The cold night air hit him in the face as he ran out onto the open deck. It was still night, but the ship was moving. Kendril glanced quickly around.
    They had just exited the harbor. The ship was just passing the breakwater.
    “Hey!” a nearby sailor shouted as he reached for a cutlass, “what do you think—?”
    Kendril turned and slammed his clenched fist into the surprised man’s face.
    There was a shout from up on the quarterdeck, then a shrill whistle.
    Kendril snatched the cutlass out of the unconscious man’s belt. He whirled back around.
    Abid emerged from below decks. He wasn’t smiling.
    A scream sounded from down below. It wasn’t Marley. Someone else….
    Kendril took a step forward and raised the cutlass.
    There was a ghostly shriek from below the deck.
    Abid hesitated, his scimitar poised in his hand.
    There was another scream. It was Marley this time.
    There was a horrific