Slavers of the Savage Catacombs Read Online Free PDF Page A

lengths to ensure that we have them as our messengers.”
    Ran said, “The only bit of information I’ve come across so far is probably better attributed to the maniacal ravings of a madman.”
    “Who?”
    “Kan-Gul.”
    Tanka sat back. “There’s a name I don’t often hear about. They say he uses the undead as his own private army.”
    “He did,” said Ran. “He’s no longer alive.”
    “You? You killed him?”
    Ran shrugged. “I had some help.”
    “Incredible. And how long have you been out of Nehon for?”
    “Nearly a month, I think.”
    Tanka hoisted his glass in Ran’s direction. “You’ve already seen more action than me, my friend. Good of you to rid the countryside of that guy, too, let me tell you. I heard stories about him. No doubt you’ve sent him to a far better place.”
    “Kan-Gul said an army was coming over the mountains to the north. Looking to invade the lower lands.”
    Tanka set his glass down and leaned forward. “Did you see any evidence to back that up?”
    Ran shrugged. “Inside his fortress he had room for plenty of soldiers. There was an armory. Billeting areas.”
    “Nothing else?”
    “Just the promise of mayhem from Kan-Gul himself. Nothing else.”
    Tanka leaned back and rubbed his chin. “I will need to send this back to the clan. Even if it’s nothing, they need to know about it. Ours isn’t to make decisions about the information we get ahold of. We just send it back and let those wiser men make the decisions.”
    Ran frowned. “How long until you hear back from them?”
    “A day. Perhaps two.”
    “I’d hoped to be leaving sooner than that,” said Ran.
    Tanka stood. “I’ll send the message immediately, but you’ll have to remain here until I hear back. If the clan wants you to follow up on that information, then your quest will have to wait until such time as they’re satisfied that it poses no danger to our clan.”
    “Understood,” said Ran. Although he was loathe to wait any longer than necessary in Chulal.
    “Don’t worry,” said Tanka. “Trade caravans won’t be leaving until the end of the week anyway. They all think it’s bad luck to leave before the day of feasts. With any luck, you can hang around, find a caravan that wants you, and, when the time comes, you’ll be ready to ride.”
    “I hope you’re right,” said Ran. “I hope you’re right.”

C HAPTER F OUR
    Tanka left Ran alone while he went to send the message via falk. Ran found his way out of the apartment and wandered the streets of Chulal. The sun was beginning to set, but Ran figured he still had at least an hour of daylight left. Besides, he wanted to see the harbor area for himself.
    Fortunately, Tanka had set himself up only a few blocks from the wharves, and as Ran drew ever closer to the sea, the scent of salty air grew stronger. Ran smirked as he remembered his most recent sailing adventure and how seasick he’d gotten enroute to Chugal. He had no desire to repeat the experience any time soon.
    As he came around a block of buildings, he set eyes on the bustling harbor for the first time. At least a half-dozen merchant transport ships were in port, their sails all furled, and secured to the docks. Ran cast his eyes over the men working to load and unload them. He heard snippets of the guttural sailing language they used and decided he couldn’t think of a harsher-sounding language. He had no idea what they were saying, but the underlying tonality seemed to say that if things weren’t done as ordered then there would be severe repercussions.
    As he walked, he was careful to stay away from the stacks of crates and piles of sacks containing goods for sale. These were also guarded by any number of private soldiers that the merchants hired on to oversee their goods. No doubt stealing was rampant down here, and the merchants needed to protect their wares.
    Ahead of him, Ran saw a gathering of men who looked different from the sailors. They were well-dressed and plump,