Read Online The Crown Of Yensupov (Book 3) by C. Craig Coleman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: C. Craig Coleman
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climb back on the tree trunk. The swamp worms, waiting at the water’s edge, wiggled out from the ooze and chewed off small chunks of the struggling soldier.
“That’s sickening,” Tonelia said. Fascinated, her grimaced face watched spellbound.
“The orc’s short, stocky legs are keeping him from getting back up on the log.” Hendrel said. “His thrashing and struggling are exciting the swamp worms, triggering a feeding frenzy.”
“Here come the reptilefish,” Tournak said.
“They were already drawn to the dead orc’s blood,” Saxthor said. “More food will be welcome.”
Within minutes, both orcs were gone, leaving only a skeletal hand on the log. The crew worked their way over to the tree trunk and walked along that to land without having to step in the dark ooze, where the worms had just feasted.
“Bodrin, climb up in the tree and keep an eye out for more,” Saxthor said. “The rest of you take short walks, but keep a sharp eye out for more orcs looking for the missing pair.”
After eating and cleaning up the site, they climbed back aboard their boat and backed their way out of the horsetails to deeper water.
“Be careful to close the reeds as we pass back through so there’s no sign of our landing,” Saxthor said.
When dusk turned to night, they were again out on open water. That night they rowed along beside the weeds for cover.
“It’s a long cold night, but at least we ended another orc encounter without discovery,” Bodrin said to Saxthor. “This swamp is infested with evil.”
“The invasion of the South can’t be long in coming,” Saxthor said. He leaned forward and tapped Tournak on the shoulder. Tournak leaned closer. “Good shooting this afternoon.” The others nodded agreement.
Next morning Hendrel, who was steering, noted a bit of a current. Off in the distance, the two sides of the broad swamp converged to form the unmistakable beginnings of the Akkin River. Hendrel shook Saxthor, pointed to the sight, and dropped a leaf in the water. The leaf floated in the new current.
“We’ll have to be especially careful now,” Hendrel said. ”There’ll be Dreaddrac orcs, Prertstenian border guards, and Heggolstockin soldiers – all watching this three-way border junction.”
Saxthor nodded, then turned to look at the beginnings of the Akkin and his first sighting of Prertsten. He put his hand in the water to enjoy the current, but Hendrel jerked it out. A huge fin sliced the water and a wake boiled up, where his hand had been.
2: Feldrik Fortress and Heggolstockin
Caught in the current, the boat picked up speed moving toward the Akkin River at the junction of the three states. Saxthor grabbed the tip of a submerged tree branch just beyond the reeds, stopping the boat’s progress and swinging the stern around with the current.
“We need to appraise the situation,” Saxthor said. “How’s the best way to slip by the heavily watched border junction without being caught.”
“We need to eat, too,” Bodrin said.
“I have to stretch my legs soon, they’re cramping,” Tonelia added.
As they spoke, an orc arrow flew over the reeds.
“Stay clear!” the orc voice said. “That be the onliest warning you’re gonna get.”
Saxthor heard the muffled thud and looked to see what the arrow struck. Bodrin’s white lips pinched shut locked in silence in his drained face. He bent over, gripping his leg with both hands. The arrow’s shaft protruded from his right thigh above the knee.
The crew froze and remained silent so the orc couldn’t get another fix on them. Saxthor pointed to the opposite shore, Heggolstockin, and at the steering oar, Tournak nodded. Saxthor released the tree branch. Tournak steered the boat into the current and across the open water to Heggolstockin.
“Who goes there?” a guard said. “You can’t land here.”
“The warning not to land is serious,” Hendrel said.
“No one wants us to land.” Tonelia was tightening a tourniquet
“That’s sickening,” Tonelia said. Fascinated, her grimaced face watched spellbound.
“The orc’s short, stocky legs are keeping him from getting back up on the log.” Hendrel said. “His thrashing and struggling are exciting the swamp worms, triggering a feeding frenzy.”
“Here come the reptilefish,” Tournak said.
“They were already drawn to the dead orc’s blood,” Saxthor said. “More food will be welcome.”
Within minutes, both orcs were gone, leaving only a skeletal hand on the log. The crew worked their way over to the tree trunk and walked along that to land without having to step in the dark ooze, where the worms had just feasted.
“Bodrin, climb up in the tree and keep an eye out for more,” Saxthor said. “The rest of you take short walks, but keep a sharp eye out for more orcs looking for the missing pair.”
After eating and cleaning up the site, they climbed back aboard their boat and backed their way out of the horsetails to deeper water.
“Be careful to close the reeds as we pass back through so there’s no sign of our landing,” Saxthor said.
When dusk turned to night, they were again out on open water. That night they rowed along beside the weeds for cover.
“It’s a long cold night, but at least we ended another orc encounter without discovery,” Bodrin said to Saxthor. “This swamp is infested with evil.”
“The invasion of the South can’t be long in coming,” Saxthor said. He leaned forward and tapped Tournak on the shoulder. Tournak leaned closer. “Good shooting this afternoon.” The others nodded agreement.
Next morning Hendrel, who was steering, noted a bit of a current. Off in the distance, the two sides of the broad swamp converged to form the unmistakable beginnings of the Akkin River. Hendrel shook Saxthor, pointed to the sight, and dropped a leaf in the water. The leaf floated in the new current.
“We’ll have to be especially careful now,” Hendrel said. ”There’ll be Dreaddrac orcs, Prertstenian border guards, and Heggolstockin soldiers – all watching this three-way border junction.”
Saxthor nodded, then turned to look at the beginnings of the Akkin and his first sighting of Prertsten. He put his hand in the water to enjoy the current, but Hendrel jerked it out. A huge fin sliced the water and a wake boiled up, where his hand had been.
2: Feldrik Fortress and Heggolstockin
Caught in the current, the boat picked up speed moving toward the Akkin River at the junction of the three states. Saxthor grabbed the tip of a submerged tree branch just beyond the reeds, stopping the boat’s progress and swinging the stern around with the current.
“We need to appraise the situation,” Saxthor said. “How’s the best way to slip by the heavily watched border junction without being caught.”
“We need to eat, too,” Bodrin said.
“I have to stretch my legs soon, they’re cramping,” Tonelia added.
As they spoke, an orc arrow flew over the reeds.
“Stay clear!” the orc voice said. “That be the onliest warning you’re gonna get.”
Saxthor heard the muffled thud and looked to see what the arrow struck. Bodrin’s white lips pinched shut locked in silence in his drained face. He bent over, gripping his leg with both hands. The arrow’s shaft protruded from his right thigh above the knee.
The crew froze and remained silent so the orc couldn’t get another fix on them. Saxthor pointed to the opposite shore, Heggolstockin, and at the steering oar, Tournak nodded. Saxthor released the tree branch. Tournak steered the boat into the current and across the open water to Heggolstockin.
“Who goes there?” a guard said. “You can’t land here.”
“The warning not to land is serious,” Hendrel said.
“No one wants us to land.” Tonelia was tightening a tourniquet
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