Read Online Erebos by Ursula Poznanski - Free Book Online Page A

go about it.
    â€˜Blood’s old helmet is rubbish,’ Keskorian gripes. ‘I would have preferred a decent sword.’
    â€˜Well, you should have really gone for it just now then,’ Nurax says.
    â€˜Yeah, yeah. Great, go ahead and enjoy your harness. But I’m telling you, it’s rubbish too. How many defence points does it have? Fourteen? You may as well just fold yourself a paper one.’
    â€˜As if.’ Nurax splutters. ‘Fourteen are definitely going to repel orc arrows – which nearly cost me all my life energy yesterday!’
    Sarius is keeping out of the discussion. He’s realised that his doublet might be a problem. Only five points of defence. Hopefully there aren’t any orcs nearby.
    â€˜Take a look at Blood’s harness! How many points of strength does it have?’
    BloodWork takes his time to answer.
    â€˜Fifty-two.’
    â€˜I don’t want to know what he had to do for that,’ Sapujapu says.
    â€˜And it’s none of your bloody business,’ declares the giant barbarian.
    â€˜Careful! The messenger already cautioned someone about swearing. A dwarf. I was there.’
    As Nurax speaks, a new figure arrives at the fire – a dark she-elf, with a longbow hanging over her shoulder. The black, tightly woven plait reminds Sarius of Emily. He calls up her name: Arwen’s Child.
    â€˜Hi, AC.’ Nurax greets her. ‘Wow, you’re a Three now! Congratulations!’
    â€˜Thanks. It wasn’t a big deal. No battle today?’
    â€˜We’re just finished,’ Keskorian informs her. ‘Four trolls – it was no joke. Do you know everyone here? You know BloodWork at any rate, don’t you?’
    â€˜Yes, we searched for a stone changeling together. Hi, Blood.’
    The barbarian doesn’t answer, just sits unmoving, staring into the fire.
    â€˜But I don’t know LaCor – or Sapujapu or Samira or Sarius either. Are names starting with Sa in right now?’
    â€˜Better than being nicked from Lord of the Rings ,’ Sarius responds and earns applause from Samira.
    Arwen’s Child takes a few steps towards Sarius. ‘You’re a One,’ she states.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Any more Ones here?’
    â€˜I’ve already seen four of them today,’ Lelant says. Sarius has almost forgotten about the quiet dark elf. Possibly due to the fact that Lelant has taken ‘dark’ very literally. His clothing is all black, like his hair. His face is the colour of coffee with hardly any milk. Nick can’t help wondering whether Colin might not be concealed behind the figure.
    â€˜There are more and more Ones. Including Sarius there have been two dark elves, a werewolf and a human today.’
    â€˜Humans are totally rare,’ Sapujapu observes.
    â€˜And unnecessary,’ BloodWork adds.
    Sarius would like to ask a few questions during the ensuing lull in the conversation. Like whether the spinning oval stone above them is a wish crystal. And what he should do in order to survive the next battle with his poor equipment. Or how he can get to the next level quickly. Because by the look of it, he’s nothing as a One. ‘Have you got any good tips you can give me?’ he asks around. ‘Yes. Try to stay alive,’ Nurax says. ‘It’s best to stay close to a very strong character while you’re still so weak yourself.’
    â€˜But keep away from me,’ BloodWork says. ‘Bloody elves.’
    â€˜How come you’re giving the newbie tips anyway?’ Keskorian grumbles. ‘We’re opponents, remember? Do you want to get the final reward yourself, or have him get it? For all I care all the new-bies can snuff it. There’s too many of us already anyway.’
    â€˜That’s right,’ says BloodWork.
    â€˜Too many for what?’ Sarius enquires.
    Nurax stays silent, seeing he’s been reprimanded so sharply. But Sapujapu