Torment and Terror Read Online Free PDF Page A

sweat-soaked and blood-covered face and said to Scorch, “We had a deal.” Face first, he collapsed.
    “Well, I must admit, I didn’t see that coming.” Scorch rubbed his robed elbows. “Does anyone else feel chilly?”
    Kam was with Venir, pushing him over on his side. “Joline, get some rags. Something. He’s still breathing.”
    “Not for long,” Scorch said with a sigh.
    “The deal, Scorch,” Melegal said, rising to his feet. He pointed to his eyes. “The deal.”
    “This is more of a draw, so I’m not so certain that the deal can be honored.”
    “We were hardly a threat before. How can we be any worse now?” Melegal glanced at Venir. Blood was spilling everywhere. “Give the man’s death some honor.”
    “You don’t seem so concerned about his death.”
    “That’s because I’m thinking about myself.”
    Wagging his finger, Scorch said, “I always liked that about you. So be it then. I’ll honor the agreement. He killed them both and to grand effect. You might want to hold onto your seat.”
    “Why’s that–AAAAUGH!” Slowly, the needles started to pull out. Melegal fell to the floor kicking and screaming.
    Someone else was screaming as well. It was Jasper, in misery, somewhere nearby.
    Covered in sweat, chest heaving, Melegal found himself on his knees.
    Kam and Joline were huddled over Venir. They had rags covering his back and chest.
    Tears mixed with blood to keep him blinking and wiping his eyes so that Melegal’s vision was a blur. His eyes ached as well. He crawled up into a chair. He could see Scorch sitting on his barstool, nonchalant and laughing.
    “Oh, how I like a good drama. See, isn’t this so much more exciting than watching the elderly die of old age?”
    Blink!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER 7
     
     
    Lefty spat out a mouthful of dirt. There were spots in his eyes. The stench of burning skin was in the air. Men were screaming. Bellowing. Horrible sounds. Strong hands pulled him up to his feet.
    “How are you, Lefty?” Georgio said. The pie-faced young man’s face was singed. “Lefty?”
    “I’m fine. Just shaken a little. Did you see that?”
    “No, but I felt it. It was like a sun dropped out of the sky on us.”
    The army of jung fighters and striders shored up their formation. A battle horn filled the air with its bellowing call. The ranks were formed in seconds, and the small army marched onward toward the sandcastle ahead.
    “Come on,” Georgio said, drawing his sword. “And stay close. I don’t want to lose you again.”
    Lefty couldn’t help but smile. However, as he walked by the first rank of the dead, his smile turned upside down. Men and striders lay in heaps of smoking and burning flesh. A jung still lived, his face burned down to the skull. His screams were ear-splitting. Lefty covered his ears, still looking. Another jung walked up and ran a sword clean through the dying man.
    Mercy me.
    “Billip,” Georgio said, “we’re marching straight into another blast. Certainly they know that?”
    Bow and arrow ready, Billip replied, “Boon says he’ll take care of that, but if you see a third sun winking in the sky, you better bury your arse in the sand. But we’re going in. There won’t be any more backing away from the underlings. Not today. Not ever.” He found Nikkel standing alongside him. “Let’s see how good you really are with that thing compared to your father.”
    “Oh, I’ll make him proud,” Nikkel said. There was a serious look in his eye. “You’ll see.”
    The pair of archers ran for the front of the ranks.
    Georgio’s face showed some disappointment.
    “Georgio,” Lefty said up to him, “You don’t have to hold back on my account. I’ll be fine.”
    “You don’t have anything to protect you.”
    “I’ve got my quick feet. Let me be a shadow by your side.”
    “No.” Georgio scanned the area. “There. Just take cover over there.”
    The unforgiving land provided little shelter, but there was some