Three Kings (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

to test the scent further, he was immediately overcome by a dizzying euphoric effect that left his head spinning for several minutes. If the balm did not speed his healing or prevent infliction, then at least he could sniff it to alleviate the pain later.
    Assured it was the right container, he carefully applied the paste to each of the jagged flesh wounds upon his chest, smearing it in a thin layer upon all damaged surfaces. Careful not to waste any of the balm, he stoppered the small horn closed once more and repacked it away in his bundle, before binding the narrow leather cords to secure his makeshift pack closed once more. Shouldering his supplies, he strode again in his original direction in hopes of finding the other side of the crater without incident.
    It was nearing sunset once more when Gnak broke free from a tight cluster of the odd purple-skinned trees to view the northern wall of the crater before him. Here, a stone wall rose straight up from the floor below in a thick tangle of moss and vines that seemed to climb up to the very sky itself. His jaw nearly falling open, Gnak looked both left and right before settling his gaze on the stone face before him once again. In his vision, this was where the gates to his city were located.
    Closing his eyes, he envisioned the massive gates of the city and the wall that stretched out to either side. Above him the tops of huge hulking buildings could be seen above the towering walls, and passages and paths were carved into the face of the mountain beyond that spoke of unseen dwellings and hidden secrets.
    Grinning to himself, Gnak opened his eyes and viewed the natural wall of stone that stood in his path once again. Looking up, he imagined it would take at least two full nights of climbing to reach the summit, and though he had not slept in a full night and day, he was not about to take a break whilst still in the crater.
    Stalking to the base of the wall, Gnak reached up to find his first handholds and began pulling his weight up with his massive arms.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Long and arduous was the climb that first night as the sun fell from the sky, only to be replaced by both of Thurr’s moons. Hour after painstaking hour Gnak reached up and grasped at the interwoven vines to heave himself upward. From time to time he would hear the chatter of small animals along the face of the cliff and on several occasions, birds leapt into the air just out of his reach, fleeing at his approach in an explosion of feathers and screeched warnings to their peers.
    Finding himself exhausted from the climb, as he had been several times through the day, he wrapped his legs and arms in the vines, entangling his limbs and relaxed his muscles. There he hung suspended by the plants, leaning away from the rock face slightly as he hung limp in their grasp. From this vantage it appeared that the climb would never end, though for several hours he worked to ascend towards a dark spot higher upon the wall. Each time he stopped he measured his progress, and each time he found his destination further than he liked. The progress was slow. His muscles ached and cramped. His knuckles and shoulders were tight from constant strain. Yet still his goal required more from him.
    For near half an hour in the darkness he lay, vertically suspended and still, so as to not become dislodged. Watching and listening as the time passed, he noted a low thrumming sound as the wind swept across the mountains here, and imagined the very rock of the peaks were breathing. Stretching his limbs, one by one, he disentangled himself and began climbing once more.
    The night was clear and cool with millions of stars set as a surreal backdrop for the moons. Looking ever upwards, it felt as if he were climbing into the sky itself and with every new handhold he grew nearer to touching that which was elusive to the mortals. Above him the heavens looked back down, and Gnak wondered if the gods were there, watching his pathetic attempt