Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.82T)
Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.
It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.
Here is the first post from this series.
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The walls of the web of secret passages connecting Ushochhushi’s pressed close on Retaak’s broad frame. Being caught in these close confines would make it hard for him to fight, but with the tower guards intent on smashing their way into the chamber where Waachear’s broken body lay, he could see an opportunity.
He followed the tunnel back toward where he had entered, in the slave chambers, but instead of exiting there, he followed another passage. As he crept, he could not help but smile at how the Seneschal’s poor qualities were working against him. His slaves had shown Retaak the tunnels and Ushochhushi’s own paranoia had kept the knowledge from his guard. He almost laughed.
By the time the guards smashed down the doors and found the secret passage, Retaak was well ahead of them. He groped his way through the secret ways down to counting rooms, kitchens, and eventually into the bowels of the great tower. He could smell the smoke and Iron of a mighty forge, but underneath that the stink of fear and old blood that put him in mind of Waachear’s lair; a torture chamber. Spawn like Ushochhushi treated the pain of others like some kind of sport.
Retaak crept through the underground. No doubt there was a tunnel back to the Fellspawn Warrens, but even the blunt minded ones who followed would check there. No, he needed to think if he wanted to save Albyursia from Ushochhushi. He needed to be as cunning and as smart as the Seneschal. He needed to understand his enemy’s plans.
Considering his options, Retaak followed a tunnel that rose to the surface. The winding passage was part of the tower’s siege defences and had several redoubts built in along its length. The locks at each of the these had been picked open, and Retaak smiled when he understood that he had the good fortune to be following the escaping elves.
Retaak emerged in a stand of tall spruce on a rise some distance from the tower. Once he was sure he was safe, he turned his attention back, watching soldiers scurrying in and out of the doors and black smoke billowing from several windows. Chaos reigned in the shadow of austere old Uzaagwaar and he grinned at this.
After a few moments his thoughts returned to Waachear and then to Ushochhushi. He truly did need to consider how he was going to help his friend escape the Seneschal, but to do so required that he think about what to do next instead of rushing headlong into danger. Waachear had been certain of his control and had failed because of that, Retaak could not count on Ushochhushi doing the same. The Seneschal was too cunning and would be well warned that Retaak had escaped.
He left Uzaagwaar behind him and took to the old trails that led to the Fellspawn warrens. These paths were seldom used and would afford him time to think while he moved to confront Ushocchushi.
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