Strife In The Sky (Book 7) Read Online Free PDF Page A

phantom did say.” It huffed and leered at Gorlee. “Who are you, and how did you get those scales?” It brushed its arms with the back of its fingers.
    Gorlee felt ill, and his stomach was still turning. The multitudes were pressing in and tugging at his chains. It took everything he had, to not take a swing at them. To not change and escape the chains. But the desperation in their eyes left a feeling of pity in him. These people were condemned. Some of them might have been soldiers that fought against the forces of Barnabus. Others might have been failed enforcers of the same. The monstrous humanoid was their warden, and he probably already had his henchmen scattered among the crowd, feeling him out. And the phantom, that was the gatekeeper of the deep.
    “I’m just one of you now, it seems,” Gorlee said. “When do we eat?”
    The monster clapped his hands.
    “You are a delight to my dungeon.” It laughed. “A man of wits and games. Well now, let’s see what we can do to make our guest more comfortable. Let’s get you out of those chains.”
    “That would be kind.”
    “Bring an axe and block!” it shouted.
    The crowd parted, making a pathway for a large humanoid that approached. Its head and shoulders were covered in shaggy black fur, and it stood taller than the others. Broad and muscular, it came with a large block of wood tucked under one arm and a great axe slung over its shoulder.
    A bugbear. They have all the worst down here. How quaint.
    It dropped the heavy block of wood down on the ground with a snort and clutched its axe in both hands.
    “I don’t think that blade is of much use against mithril,” Gorlee said. He laid the chains across the block. “But you are welcome to take a whack.”
    The monster’s chuckle was low and wicked.
    “Oh, we know our plans can’t break those chains. But removing your hands from your wrists? That’s another thing.”
    Gorlee jerked his hands away.
    “What!”
    “Grab him!”
    A surge of bodies seized him, pinned him down, and held his arms in place. “Aw, don’t worry, Nath Dragon , with any luck, your dragon skin will hold.”
    No it won’t!
    “And,” the monster continued, “you will have passed your test. Of course if you fail, you’ll be doomed like the rest of us.” He signaled to the bug bear.
    The axe flashed up over its head.

 
    CHAPTER 9
     
     
    Finlin the satyr kept his joy to himself.
    I love it when she makes mistakes.
    He tossed a small rough sack over his shoulder and belted his scabbard around his waist. He carried two daggers only and kept his pipes tied close to his neck. The rest of the camp bustled with activity, and the march to seize another city began. One hundred motivated soldiers of Barnabus in heavy gear and arms moved through the hills like an invincible python. The draykis could be seen positioning themselves in the fore and middle of the ranks. Their eyes were alert and their commands not subtle.
    “Perhaps you should tell them,” Finlin suggested to his sister.
    She clenched her fist in his face.
    “I said not a word of this.”
    The pair remained behind. Quiet. Faylan toyed with her hair and chewed on her lip. She didn’t like to make mistakes. In the case of their capturing Nath Dragon, neither one of them could be certain who that really was.
    “Well, perhaps it was him. Maybe his hair is just different. I don’t see how you could have suspected anything different.” He tried to sound reassuring. “Whoever it was, it fooled everyone. Even the draykis. I’m proud of you, Sister.”
    “Oh shut it, you little horned toad.” She punched him in the arm. “I don’t need your reassurance. I just need you to keep your mouth closed and do as you’re told. I’ll deal with the High Priestess if the time comes. And you will not admit to knowing anything otherwise.” She patted the dagger on her chin. “I’d hate to think my brother would turn on his sister.”
    “No, never,” he said.
    “Good,” she