The Jewel of Turmish - Mel Odom [111]
"They're mine, Allis. I can feel them. I have an army."
"As you were promised, Lord Kiosk."
Borran Kiosk listened to the screams of the dying men. They sounded good, almost as if he was causing them himself. His bloodlust was fed, but it was nowhere near full.
"Alaghфn will be the first to fall, Allis," Borran Kiosk told the woman, "then all of Turmish. And when I have together again the five jewels that make up Taraketh's Hive, I will destroy all the lands that the Emerald Enclave holds precious. I will be unmerciful in my vengeance for all they have done to me."
He paused, watching as men died aboard the other ship.
T will kill them all."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
As soon as Haarn entered Alaghфn, nearly a tenday after leaving the lean-to where they'd weathered out the storm and rested while Ettrian healed, he felt closed in. Even in the densest brush he'd never experienced the kind of claustrophobia that assailed him in the city. Broadfoot, fully recovered from the shambler's attack, lumbered at his side, and thankfully, most of the townspeople stayed well away from Haarn because of him.
Druids assigned to identify them to the Alaghфn Watch met them at the gate, directing them to the docks where the Emerald Enclave had set up camp. Borran Kiosk, the druids said, was expected at any time. The Elder Circle had scried the mohrg and knew he was headed back to Alaghфn, though few other details were available. Ettrian was passed through immediately, though a few of the druids knew Haarn as well.
Haarn mistrusted the feel of the cobblestone street beneath his moccasins. The hard surface of the street didn't have the springy feel of true land. He felt tied down to it, held back instead of uplifted.
He looked up at the tall buildings until his neck hurt. Some of them were several stories tall, crafted from stone shaped by hammer and chisel, and many windows held stained glass in dozens of different colors.
Twilight deepened over the city, and the setting sun struck blazing colors from the stained glass. Windows fronting shops-something Haarn had never seen before though he'd heard merchants talk of such places-drew his attention time and again. On the other side of the glass were objects laid out for sale. Vast treasures of clothing, weapons, and food lay spread on sheets and colored blankets. Though he would never take things without paying for them, Haarn couldn't believe others wouldn't be tempted.
"Do you see something you like?" Druz asked.
Haarn came back to his senses, only then aware that he was standing with his nose almost pressed to the window of a shop that sold herbs. He'd admired the pots and cups of leaves, branches, and powders that occupied the display window, and he wondered what the merchant might have that he would want. With the battle surely coming with Borran Kiosk, he was aware that his own kit was sorely lacking.
"No," Haarn answered, embarrassed at his own naivete. "I don't have anything to trade for those things."
"You have the bounty offered for Stonefur's head," Druz replied. "I could advance you some against that, provided you repaid me."
Haarn shook his head. "No. Ill accept no bounty for killing the wolf."
He stepped away from the window, aware that his father had turned and was waiting on him. Ettrian's face showed displeasure, and every line in his body screamed impatience. Since his recovery, which had left him un-scarred and in full health once more, he'd gone back to old habits and rarely spoke to Haarn. Most of their conversation had concerned Druz and whether or not they should have gotten rid of her.
Haarn gripped Broadfoot's coat and urged the bear on again. Lamplighters climbed ladders they carried with them and lit the wicks of the street lamps as the night deepened and filled Alaghфn with shadows. The faces of townspeople peered out the windows of taverns and pubs, all of them watching the gathering of druids.
They don't care for the Emerald Enclave here much," Druz said quietly as she looked around. Her hand never left the hilt of her long sword.
"No," Haarn