Read Online Three Kings (Book 3) by Jeremy Laszlo - Free Book Online
Authors: Jeremy Laszlo
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had peered in reflective surfaces, but never had he had an outsider’s vantage.
Though he was riddled with odd and deforming scars where his flesh had been burned and charred away, and his naught but bone fingers lay partially exposed through torn gloves, he was not appalled by what he saw. With one blank eye staring back at him in return, he inspected his body and found that he was proud of the specimen he had become. It was true, he was not the prettiest of his race, but just looking at himself, he was frightening, and that counted for something.
Turning slowly, he looked towards the door to assure himself that none peered in to see what it was he was doing. Then, focusing himself mentally, he lunged. Trembling as sweat poured from his body, Gnak blinked his eye several times and rolling he rose to his feet as he stretched his muscles with a sly grin. It felt good to be back in his own body. Checking inward, he was happy to find all as it should be, and Jen was there right where he had left her. He had what he had come for. The troll nation was his. All he needed to do now was figure out what to do with them.
Without enough information to make an informed decision he worked through everything he did know. From experimenting on desert foxes he knew a body could live at least a day without its essence. With that knowledge, he knew he would have to continually transfer back and forth between his own body and the body of the troll king in order to keep both alive. He could only hope that there were no risks involved in sustaining both bodies this way. This decision led him to another discovery. No matter what he did, he now had to do it with both bodies, as he could not leave either behind or it would die.
With his newfound knowledge, he began to formulate a plan that would take him back to his clan and the goblins who should be coming to meet with him. It had been many days since he left the camp, and only the gods knew what was ensuing in his absence. He hoped Pantak was keeping everything in order.
It was more than two hours when Gnak thought his plan was devised. He doubted the trolls would give him any trouble as they apparently were very loyal to their leader. No, the problem would be the return journey home.
“Jen. You talk Gnak?” he asked into the scorching air inside the stone and wood building.
“Yes, Gnak, I suppose I can,” she replied with a giggle that seemed to bounce around inside his head.
“Found trolls. Found better power. Ishanya give way to make all work. Gnak very happy.”
“That’s wonderful, Gnak, are the trolls under your command now?”
“Yes, Gnak take troll king body. Is troll king now.”
“Perfect! You didn’t have to kill anyone?”
“None die. Work good.”
“I bet Ishanya is very happy with you right now, Gnak. What will you do now?”
“Gnak take troll king back to camp. Must see many goblin kings. Make all understand. Make all work for Gnak.”
“Sounds like you have come very far, Gnak. I am so proud of you. Maybe soon you can take me home?”
“Gnak hope so. Learning much. Is good, Gnak think. Soon learn how bring back Jen.”
“I look forward to it, Gnak. Now get back to work,” she ordered in her bubbly voice.
“You have a lot to do.”
Gnak knew she was gone again without even speaking further. Her words had emboldened him and made him certain that he was on the right path. He knew what he needed to do, but he needed further knowledge of the troll people and a safer path down the mountain.
Rising, he walked about the odd building seeking the coolest place possible. It only took a few minutes to discover that the northernmost corner of the building had a small draught and cold air blew in, creating a semi comfortable zone within the building. Backing into the corner, Gnak lunged out of his body.
Gasping as he connected with the troll king, he found the experience much less unpleasant than the previous. It seemed that transferring from one body to
Though he was riddled with odd and deforming scars where his flesh had been burned and charred away, and his naught but bone fingers lay partially exposed through torn gloves, he was not appalled by what he saw. With one blank eye staring back at him in return, he inspected his body and found that he was proud of the specimen he had become. It was true, he was not the prettiest of his race, but just looking at himself, he was frightening, and that counted for something.
Turning slowly, he looked towards the door to assure himself that none peered in to see what it was he was doing. Then, focusing himself mentally, he lunged. Trembling as sweat poured from his body, Gnak blinked his eye several times and rolling he rose to his feet as he stretched his muscles with a sly grin. It felt good to be back in his own body. Checking inward, he was happy to find all as it should be, and Jen was there right where he had left her. He had what he had come for. The troll nation was his. All he needed to do now was figure out what to do with them.
Without enough information to make an informed decision he worked through everything he did know. From experimenting on desert foxes he knew a body could live at least a day without its essence. With that knowledge, he knew he would have to continually transfer back and forth between his own body and the body of the troll king in order to keep both alive. He could only hope that there were no risks involved in sustaining both bodies this way. This decision led him to another discovery. No matter what he did, he now had to do it with both bodies, as he could not leave either behind or it would die.
With his newfound knowledge, he began to formulate a plan that would take him back to his clan and the goblins who should be coming to meet with him. It had been many days since he left the camp, and only the gods knew what was ensuing in his absence. He hoped Pantak was keeping everything in order.
It was more than two hours when Gnak thought his plan was devised. He doubted the trolls would give him any trouble as they apparently were very loyal to their leader. No, the problem would be the return journey home.
“Jen. You talk Gnak?” he asked into the scorching air inside the stone and wood building.
“Yes, Gnak, I suppose I can,” she replied with a giggle that seemed to bounce around inside his head.
“Found trolls. Found better power. Ishanya give way to make all work. Gnak very happy.”
“That’s wonderful, Gnak, are the trolls under your command now?”
“Yes, Gnak take troll king body. Is troll king now.”
“Perfect! You didn’t have to kill anyone?”
“None die. Work good.”
“I bet Ishanya is very happy with you right now, Gnak. What will you do now?”
“Gnak take troll king back to camp. Must see many goblin kings. Make all understand. Make all work for Gnak.”
“Sounds like you have come very far, Gnak. I am so proud of you. Maybe soon you can take me home?”
“Gnak hope so. Learning much. Is good, Gnak think. Soon learn how bring back Jen.”
“I look forward to it, Gnak. Now get back to work,” she ordered in her bubbly voice.
“You have a lot to do.”
Gnak knew she was gone again without even speaking further. Her words had emboldened him and made him certain that he was on the right path. He knew what he needed to do, but he needed further knowledge of the troll people and a safer path down the mountain.
Rising, he walked about the odd building seeking the coolest place possible. It only took a few minutes to discover that the northernmost corner of the building had a small draught and cold air blew in, creating a semi comfortable zone within the building. Backing into the corner, Gnak lunged out of his body.
Gasping as he connected with the troll king, he found the experience much less unpleasant than the previous. It seemed that transferring from one body to
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