Read Online Exiles From The Sacred Land (Book 2) by Mark Tyson - Free Book Online

friend.
    Sanmir reached for her hand too. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
    Shila made an awkward curtsy, not knowing exactly what to do.
    Sanmir gave her an odd glance and then addressed Lady Shey. “I bring news from Ianthill. He asked me to tell you to stay put here in Basillain until he arrives. Where is Gondrial? Ianthill said he sent him ahead while he made his way to Brookhaven to talk to the townsfolk.”
    “Ianthill? He is here at the inn. He and Gondrial are upstairs sleeping off too many ales,” Enowene stated.
    “That’s not possible. I left him behind in Brookhaven. He wanted to tell the village that their young ones were safe in his care.”
    “Gondrial!” Lady Shey yelped.
    One by one, they sprinted up the stairs. When they topped the stairs, they could hear furniture moving around in the room ahead. Sanmir moved like a cat ahead of the women and tried to open the door. It was locked. With lightning skill, Sanmir produced a set of lock picks from seemingly nowhere and opened the lock as if it was not there. Gondrial was on his back on the floor, holding off a Drasmyd Duil as it tried to drip its acidic goo onto his face. Sanmir moved in a blur. Three daggers sailed through the air and pierced the black skin of the creature, almost in unison. The creature convulsed once and then collapsed. Gondrial threw it off him and leaped to his feet.
    “I had it! I only needed a few more seconds.”
    “Looked to me like it had you,” Sanmir said.
    Lady Shey ran to Gondrial and threw her arms around him.
    “I’m okay, Shey.”
    Anger welled up on Enowene’s face. “We have to do something about this! These Drasmyd Duil have none of the tells of the old days. No stench, no character flaws, and no physical flaws. It is as if they are true copies. We need to be able to make them out.”
    “It seems to me they have perfected their craft,” Shila observed.
    “What’s all this fuss about?” Ianthill said from the doorway. He still appeared to be inebriated and slurred his words. He carried a washcloth in his hands. He looked at the creature on the floor. “Heh, look Gondrial, a dead Shadow Lurker.”
    Sanmir drew his remaining daggers, and Ianthill looked startled. “Wait a moment, old friend, tell me what’s happening.”
    “I left you in Brookhaven. You couldn’t have beaten me here.” He held the daggers in a position to stab.
    Ianthill reached into his pocket. Sanmir lunged slightly, and Ianthill quickly produced a stone. “It’s a gift from Bren. It’s his personal Lora Daine. It can only take one person along and only for a short distance, but it can span Brookhaven to Basillain.” He turned the stone over with his fingers, dropped it, and then picked it up again. “Why do you think I was able to send Gondrial ahead?” He looked at the creature again. “Oh, you thought I was the Shadow Lurker.”
    Lady Shey looked Gondrial over for wounds. “Are you all right?”
    “I think so,” he replied. “I woke up to that thing in my face.” He pointed to the creature. “I didn’t think it took Ianthill’s form. I vaguely remember Ianthill stumbling out the door beforehand.”
    “Whose form did it take then?” Enowene inquired.
    Sanmir bent down for a closer look. “I don’t think it took the form of anyone we know.” He looked at Gondrial. “I believe it was here to assume the visage of Gondrial. It would have succeeded if we hadn’t become suspicious. We were wrong, but as it turns out, it was a lucky coincidence.”
    “That is quite enough!” Enowene huffed. “I am sick and tired of being fooled by these foul creatures. Shey, you and I have some work to do. It’s time to find out how we can detect these things and keep our people safe.”
    Lady Shey nodded. “I need to find us a place to work.”
    Shila stepped up. “I am familiar with Basillain. I know of a place. I have a friend with a large, empty storeroom not far from here. She will let us take the creature