Ocean Of Fear (Book 6) Read Free Page A

surprise. And it certainly beats waiting here for an indefinite period of time for a foe that might never come back this way. Who might even get lost in the jungle.”
    Zamara was convincing himself. He was one of those officers who preferred glory to waiting. And the Kraken had a large bounty on his head. This expedition might make Zamara’s fortune if he was successful.
    “We can leave the other two ships here to blockade the river mouth in case, he somehow slips past us.”
    He began to shout orders. Within ten minutes the village was clear and men and provisions were being transhipped to the Ocean’s Blade. The survivors refused to leave their village. Kormak wondered what would become of them.

    Kormak stood on the prow of the ship once more, studying the forest as it glided by. At this point the nameless river was wide and slow. A sailor with a plumb-line stood nearby measuring the depth and counting it off.
    The Guardian wondered what would happen if the river became too shallow to navigate or was blocked by some obstacle. He consoled himself with the thought that anything that could impede the progress of the Ocean’s Blade would also stop the pirate as well.
    Or would it? The Kraken was a sorcerer and now there was this Black Priest to consider as well. He had asked the survivors about his magic but he had not got any more out of them than from his initial questioning.
    Sandaled footsteps from behind him told him that Frater Jonas was approaching. The sailors all went barefoot, the marines wore boots and the captain had a heavier stride.
    “Are you sure this is a good idea?” the priest asked in a confidential tone. He studied the undergrowth by the riverbank with nervous eyes. He ducked his head as the ship swept through a curtain of vines.
    “No,” Kormak said. “But what else could we do? Wait for the Kraken to come back? He might never do that.”
    “You really think there’s an alternative route.”
    “He might be wiped out. The elfwoods can be a hostile place for mortal men.”
    “You sound as if you have had experience of that.”
    “I have.”
    A movement among the trees got his attention. Something was there, among the shadows. A deer emerged.
    “I doubt we are going to be so lucky as to find the forest has swallowed our prey.”
    “I fear you are correct.”
    “It seems strange that a salt water pirate like the Kraken should suddenly decide on a river voyage.”
    “It seems strange to me that a sorcerer should turn pirate and start raiding the coasts of Siderea,” Kormak said. “But it has happened. It’s why I am here. The Trefal Merchant’s Guild made a sizeable donation to my Order to ensure it.”
    “You think there is a connection between the Kraken being a sorcerer and this little excursion through elf country?”
    “Terves was right—we have no idea what is really up here. There could be anything within these woods. They stretch hundreds of miles east of here, all the way to Taurea, and no man has ever crossed them.”
    “Or has at least recorded the tale, you are right about that. I’ve heard stories of everything being up here from giant walking trees to a lost city of the Old Ones.”
    The water swirled by the prow of the ship. The sweeps moved in time to the drumbeat. Frater Jonas stood by his side in companionable silence till eventually the Guardian spoke, “He’s here for a reason. He has to be. Why come all this way otherwise.”
    “This Black Priest—what do you think he is?” There was a curious edge to Jonas’s voice.
      “I don’t know. It may be an Old One bound to service by soul pact or it may be an apprentice.”
    “A strange apprentice who seems more powerful than most masters.”
    Kormak tilted his head and stared at Jonas. The little priest smiled. “Magic is studied openly in Siderea, Sir Kormak, and I have found it necessary to learn about it. Sorcery is no easy thing to work. To so swiftly summon the sort of creatures this one did beggars