Abuud: the One-Eyed God Read Free Page B

I just reacted without thinking of the possibilities. I was afraid that you would waste the lives of the unicorns just because you could. I should have known better."
    "Actually I was a bit afraid of the same thing," Arik admitted. "That is why I had not mentioned it to anyone yet. I could not sleep thinking about it. That is why I was sitting here. I wanted my thoughts to be clear before I brought the subject up. Being responsible for so many lives scares me, Tanya. I don't know if I can handle it."
    "Just the fact that you are unsure pleases me," smiled Tanya. "It means that you will think things out before doing something. As for experience, you are learning from a master."
    "What was your thought regarding the Goblin Killer?" inquired Arik. "You appeared to be ready to explain it when Alex left."
    "Prince Midge has the ability to create visions," grinned Tanya. "I am not sure how it could be used yet, but suppose he created a large image of the Goblin Killer? I suspect that the goblins would attack the image instead of Tice."
    "So we could lure the goblins towards the place where we wanted them to be," nodded Arik.
    "And the unicorns could be hidden in a fog where the ambush would take place," added Tanya. "I am not sure if it would work, but it a place to start planning."

Chapter 2
The Black Death

    Wylan recoiled from the sharp pain in his stomach. He opened his eyes slightly, squinting from the brightness. He saw a figure through the haze of sleep and stared at it. As the figure came into focus, Wylan leaped to his feet and bowed.
    "Sorry, Baron," frowned Wylan as he gazed at the long pole in the Baron's hands. "I only meant to catch a nap. I fear I have overslept."
    "You are the lad that I asked to watch Azmet yesterday," nodded the Baron. "Have you been on this platform since then?"
    "Yes, Baron," Wylan replied promptly. "I watched them until they broke camp several hours before first light. I know I should not sleep on the platform, but I sought just a nap before returning to my home. I expected to rise before first light. I am truly sorry and it won't happen again."
    "Well I am glad to find you alive," responded the Baron. "Did they make any attempt to approach the gates before they left? Did you overhear words regarding their man in the city? Did it look like they were waiting for him?"
    A puzzled frown fell over Wylan's face as he recalled watching the pilgrim encampment. "No," he finally answered. "Everyone just rose as if it was expected. They folded up their camp and departed. It was too far to hear any conversations, but I remember wondering why they left without their supplies."
    "Perhaps they knew he was ill," pondered the Baron.
    "Ill?" echoed Wylan. "He did not appear ill to me before he entered the gates. He was quite lively in the ceremony that they had for him."
    "Ceremony?" questioned the Baron. "They had a ceremony for a lad going to get supplies?"
    "Well that does seem strange," agreed Wylan, "but I am not familiar with their religion."
    "Describe the ceremony," command the Baron.
    Wylan described what he had seen the night before. He struggled to leave nothing out. As he was telling his tale, a whiff of smoke caught his attention and he turned towards the city. His storytelling stopped as Wylan saw the huge bonfires on the streets of the city. He strained his eyes to see what was happening below. With the Baron forgotten, Wylan's mouth hung open as he saw bodies being thrown into the huge fires. He quickly scanned the ramparts for his fellow guards, but he could not see a one of them. Slowly he returned his attention to the Baron.
    "What happened?" queried Wylan.
    "The Black Death, lad," sighed the Baron. "It is why I poked with you with such a long pole. I needed to know if you were alive or not. You are probably the only person in Southland that I can be sure is not infected."
    "The Black Death?" cringed Wylan. "How? Why?"
    "The lad the pilgrims sent in was infected," scowled the Baron. "I