Page 88 of Storms & Sacrifice
“Oh no! If this dickhead hadn’t tricked me into challenging Captain Ironstorm to a fight, I’d be sitting in a jail cell right now, not out here in the middle of the fucking forest.” The more I can get them to argue, the more I can stall them to give help time to arrive. “Neitherof us would be here right now if it wasn’tfor him.”
Murbank stares at Redwish disdainfully, and the red-haired orc only rolls his eyesin return.
“Are you honestly going to let thisurchinmanipulate you like that?” Redwish steps closer, before turning to look at both me and Khazak. “The only reason he challenged the captain is because of a pathetic hero complex. He would happily throw himself on a sword if he thought it would protect his friends.” He pulls a knife from his pocket, then moves to stand behind Khazak in place of the guard. Pulling Khazak’s head back roughly, he exposes his neck before holding the knife to Khazak’s throat. “No, to get information out of this one you need only threaten someone he cares about.”
My heart skips a beat, and on instinct, I try to stand. “Let him go!”
“See? Pathetic,” he says to Murbank before turning back to me. “Now whereare they?”
“Fuck you!” I spit with venom, regretting it the instant I see Redwish press the knife into Khazak’s neck.
“Ah ah ah! Any more of that, and I will bleed him out right here in front of you,” he threatens coolly. “We have plenty more hostages after this one. You would not want to be responsible for anymoredeaths tonight, do you?”
I’m stuck staring in silence for what feels like forever. If I tell them, they could catch Nylan and Ragnar, but if I don’t... I watch as Redwish presses the knife down harder, a small trickle of blood leaking down Khazak’s skin.
“Fine!” I shout before my head drops down in defeat. “Shad’rokSprings.”
“See? Much easier.” Redwish releases Khazak, pushing him to the floor before wiping the knife on his robe. Right away, the guy that was previously holding Khazak steps forward to straighten him back onhis knees.
“Keenguard, Firedrum,” Murbank calls as he steps toward the temple entrance, hands already glowing with dark energy as he works a spell. A second later, two black horses form, seemingly from nothing more than shadows. Fuck,he’sthe wizard? He’s the one doing all the actual dirty work?! At least I know where the horses went now. “Go. Find them and bring them backquickly.”
The two women each grab one of the horse’s reins and walk them out of the cave. Of the faces I’ve recognized, those two are definitely the most capable fighters here. Probably overkill for Nylan, but Ragnar might put up a decent fight. The distant sound of thunder cracking gives me hope that they may have already abandoned the springs when they saw the rain coming. Maybe they’re already home.
“What do you want with Ragnar and Nylan?” I ask Murbank, both to figure out his plan and stall him while I try to think ofsomething.
“Why would we tell you that?” Redwish answers for him, then turns to their robed lackeys and nods at Khazak. “Beat him.”
Immediately, three of them rush forward and begin punching and kicking Khazak’s prone form.
“Stop! Get off of him!” I struggle to get free and help before staring at Redwish with fury. “What the fuck!? Why are you doing this?!”
“Ay! The boy told you what he knows!” adds Glasha, also struggling with her captor tomy right.
He strides over to me quickly, yanking my hair back roughly. “Because you do not seem to understand that you are not in control here.” Hand still gripping my hair, he forces me to watch as Khazakis beaten.
“Enough,” Murbank stops them a few minutes later, and Redwish releases me.
I watch Khazak crumple to the ground when he’s released, no longer a threat. I try again to move over to him, but I’m held firmly in place. He’s still breathing, but just barely. There’s blood in the corner of his mouth, and he hasn’t opened his eyes again yet. When he finally does, he tries to stand, only to be grabbed and forced to his knees at my side once again.At least he’sconscious.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him, though if it’s for getting him hurt or telling them our friend’s location, I’mnot sure.
“Do not blame...yourself for...the failings...of others...” he wheezes out, still looking at Redwish and Murbank with venom.
“Perhaps you are right. I see no need to be cruel. Afterall, you are about to witness something glorious: the Order of Zeus’s ascent to godhood.” Satisfied, Murbank turns to advance on me, and I see Redwish over his shoulder rolling his eyes.Well, that’s interesting...
“What the hell is ‘Order of Zeus?’” Besides having something to do with the temple,duh.
“It is this group of dedicated men and women around you, my dear boy.” Murbank straightens himself as he talks like a proud father. “Men and women of our city who understand that it is our destiny to achieve greatness. And after tonight, we will be unstoppable.”
He stares at me, smirking, and I stare back, confused. What is he talking about? We’rein a cave.
“Do you know what this place is?” He finally asks when he’s done basking in my confusion, stillsmirking.
“A temple? To Zeus?” It’s inthe name.
“Very good, but it is so much more than that.” Murbank points to one of the room’s walls. “The murals that line the temple, have you ever read them?”
I look at one of the murals he’s pointing at, confused. “...No?”
