{"id":118,"date":"2012-05-11T13:36:25","date_gmt":"2012-05-11T17:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=118"},"modified":"2012-05-11T13:36:25","modified_gmt":"2012-05-11T17:36:25","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=118","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 9"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\"\"<\/a>
Cover by TJ Lomas.<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
\nI’m posting a chapter from my latest fantasy novel for free every Monday and Friday (click Zervakan<\/a> above for a synopsis and to start from the beginning). It’s in a “pre-published state,” meaning you might find the occasional spelling\/grammar mistake. If you do, please leave a comment below or email me at robsteiner01 [at] gmail [dot] com.<\/p>\n

If you’re uncomfortable getting something for nothing, you can hit the PayPal Donate<\/a> button in the Tip Jar section to the right. If you donate more than $3, I’ll send you a non-DRM ebook once the book is published (summer 2012). If you donate more than $20, I’ll send you a printed copy.<\/p>\n

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it!<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ZERVAKAN<\/h1>\n

by Rob Steiner<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/h2>\n

Taran was startled awake by a sharp knock on the cabin door.\u00c2\u00a0 He glanced outside the train window, saw the sun was low in the sky, and realized he had napped longer than he wanted.<\/p>\n

Chen Flynt rose from the bottom bunk across from Taran, put a book down on the blankets, and slid the door open.\u00c2\u00a0 A tall, thin, white-haired man stood in the passage, his blue eyes searching the cabin until he found Taran.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dr. Abraeu, you are invited to dine with the Speaker in ten minutes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Then the man turned and left.<\/p>\n

Flynt shut the door, regarding Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shocked expression with a smile.\u00c2\u00a0 He went to his small bag and took out a comb.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think you’ll need this, Doctor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran felt his hair, and then took Flynt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s comb.<\/p>\n

After unsuccessful attempts to smooth out his wrinkled clothes, Taran pulled his long hair back and tied it with a green ribbon at the nape of his neck, then left the cabin and made his way towards the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s car.<\/p>\n

Taran passed through two Shadarlak cars before arriving at the entrance to the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s car.\u00c2\u00a0 The two Shadarlak guarding the door stopped him, searched him, and then made him wait while one entered the car to announce his presence.\u00c2\u00a0 When approval was given, one of the Shadarlak opened the door and bowed his head as if Taran were a Parliamentarian.<\/p>\n

The Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s car was decorated the way Taran thought a Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s car would.\u00c2\u00a0 Small framed paintings and sequoia photographs of Compact heroes and events adorned the walls around the curtained windows.\u00c2\u00a0 Red-cushioned chairs with ornately carved, wooden legs sat next to small tables that were just as ornate.\u00c2\u00a0 Lamps with sculpted pewter bases sat atop each table.\u00c2\u00a0 Most were lit, for the sun had already set behind the hills in the west.<\/p>\n

At the far end of the car was a small table where Speaker Dylan Edoss and his advisor Lee Cursh sat, both dressed in the usual dark suites of government officials.\u00c2\u00a0 Behind them stood the white-haired man who had come to Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cabin, his back straight and his hands clasped in front.<\/p>\n

When Taran entered, Edoss stood and extended his hand.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dr. Abraeu, thank you for dining with us tonight.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran had not known many Orlenians, so it was a bit odd for him to look down on the Speaker of the Recindian Compact, who was no taller than a ten-year-old Gahallian child.\u00c2\u00a0 But what Edoss lacked in height, he more than made up for in build.\u00c2\u00a0 He had wide shoulders and a barrel chest, with a lean face that told Taran the man had not sacrificed his military exercises for his political career.<\/p>\n

Taran took the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s firm handshake.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excellency, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an honor to meet you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss motioned him to the third open chair at the table.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is my chief advisor, Lee Cursh.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran and Cursh shook hands, and then Taran sat down.\u00c2\u00a0 Edoss asked, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tea, Doctor?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran nodded, and Edoss asked the white-haired man, Jac, to fill the cup in front of Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 The black tea steamed and smelled of orange spice.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran poured a bit of cream into it and sipped it as Edoss stared at him.\u00c2\u00a0 Once Jac had filled their cups, he exited the car through the door behind Edoss.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran glimpsed a cook finishing up dinner, the scents of garlic, butter, and frying bacon making his stomach rumble audibly.<\/p>\n

Not knowing what to say to the most powerful man on the continent, Taran glanced out the windows.\u00c2\u00a0 The moon was rising full next to the swirling colors of Ahura.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lovely evening.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

This seemed to break Edoss out of his reverie.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, it is.\u00c2\u00a0 Lovely.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss took a sip of his tea, then set the cup back down in its saucer.\u00c2\u00a0 The cup rattled a bit from a sudden lurch by the train, but no tea spilled.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dr. Abraeu,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss began, but then paused thoughtfully.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had to mislead your family regarding the purpose of this trip.\u00c2\u00a0 I wanted to personally apologize for the awkward position I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve put you in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran bowed his head.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I appreciate that, Excellency.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This journey would cause quite a stir in my government if it became common knowledge before I left,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said, frowning.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Only Mr. Cursh, Mr. Demiati, General Myndehr, and their close advisors know where we are going.\u00c2\u00a0 And most of them think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m mad for it.\u00c2\u00a0 Not even the leaders of Parliament know about it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153People being people, they will talk,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll wonder where you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve disappeared to for two weeks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Cursh leaned forward.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We know people will find out, but we wanted to be well underway before that happened.\u00c2\u00a0 To avoid any delays or unpleasant questions.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But if this mission is a success,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the only questions will be how to work with our new friends the Mystics.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran asked.<\/p>\n

Edoss and Cursh glanced at each other, then Edoss said with a grin, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I will be the shortest serving Speaker in the Compact\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s history.\u00c2\u00a0 Pun intended.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran laughed.\u00c2\u00a0 With that bit of self-deprecating humor, he understood how Edoss\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s charm had enabled him to buck decades of tradition to become the Compact\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first Orlenian Speaker.<\/p>\n

Jac opened the sliding door from the small kitchen and carried in a large platter with three covered plates.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran marveled at his ability to move about the shaking train without spilling the platter.<\/p>\n

Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stomach rumbled when Jac removed the silver cover from his plate.\u00c2\u00a0 He was greeted by three large, steaming crab cakes wrapped in bacon, several stalks of buttered asparagus, a small loaf of dark bread, and a stem of grapes.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran fought the urge to simply dig into the feast, having been to enough state dinners with his hero father to know he had to wait for the Speaker to pick up his fork first.\u00c2\u00a0 Thankfully, Edoss wasted no time beginning to eat, and Taran quickly followed.\u00c2\u00a0 The meal was just as delicious as it looked and smelled.<\/p>\n

Jac left the car again, and Edoss continued.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So what has your research told you about visions given by the Mystics?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Visions?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where one seems to be taken to another place.\u00c2\u00a0 Visions that feel as real as this table or the movement of this train.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran swallowed the food in his mouth, then said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not much information exists on the entirety of the Mystics\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 powers.\u00c2\u00a0 All I know is that they were revered as avatars of Ahura and Angra, who were themselves worshiped as gods before and during the Faith Wars.\u00c2\u00a0 The Mystics were renowned for their abilities to heal or kill with a touch.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Taran looked at the Speaker.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Did you have a vision?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss smiled.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be on this journey if I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran set his fork down, the feast forgotten.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tell me everything.\u00c2\u00a0 What did you see?\u00c2\u00a0 Did you see actual Mystics?\u00c2\u00a0 What did they tell\u00e2\u20ac\u201d?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss held up a hand.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153One question at a time, Doctor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran was embarrassed that he had grilled the Speaker of the Compact like he was a graduate student applicant.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Apologies, Excellency.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I admire your passion.\u00c2\u00a0 It assures me that I made the right decision to bring you along.\u00c2\u00a0 Now, as to what I saw.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss described the vision with a glassy, far away gaze, reliving the event.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran grew more enthralled with each detail, from the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flight\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to the Beldamark to the fact that nobody on the balcony had seen the Speaker move.<\/p>\n

When he finished, Edoss said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153All of that happened after I looked up at Ahura and said the words the Mystic letter told me to say.\u00c2\u00a0 You can understand why I would not want that experience widely known.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran was thrilled.\u00c2\u00a0 The Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s experience was confirmation that Mystic powers were not exaggerated, that they not only had magical powers in the past, but in the present, at this moment.<\/p>\n

Oh, Mara<\/em>, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m so close.<\/em><\/p>\n

Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now that the rings have reappeared, the Mystics can do the things ascribed to them in legend.\u00c2\u00a0 And we likely don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know the half of what they can do.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Cursh asked, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are they dangerous?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In all my research, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found that certain factions are no more dangerous than any other group of humans.\u00c2\u00a0 But there are some factions that are quite dangerous.\u00c2\u00a0 Evil, in fact.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss asked, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How do we know the dangerous factions from the not-so-dangerous?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.\u00c2\u00a0 Edoss called out, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

A Shadarlak Armsman strode in, saluted, and announced, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The conductor wishes to inform you that the train is about to stop in Doare to fuel the locomotive.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Doare was one of the last stations before the Perla Mountains and the vast steppes of Edellia.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran glanced outside, could see the outlines of small farm houses passing by in the growing darkness, and he noticed that the train was now at a slight upward angle and moving slower than it had on the plains outside Calaman.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you, sergeant,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said.<\/p>\n

The Shadarlak turned and strode out of the car.\u00c2\u00a0 When Edoss looked back at Taran, Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right, the dangerous from the not-so-dangerous.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m afraid I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have an answer to that, Excellency.\u00c2\u00a0 At least not until we actually meet them.\u00c2\u00a0 Nobody has seen a Mystic in over a thousand years.\u00c2\u00a0 Frankly, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what to expect.\u00c2\u00a0 I can tell you legends of what they used to be, but I have no idea what they are now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you speak to them?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wouldn’t think communication would be a problem,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The letter they sent proves they know Recindian.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not worried about them talking to us,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But if they should speak their own language in front of us, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like to know what they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re saying.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Again, I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know until I meet them.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve studied their ancient languages, and I have a grasp of their grammar.\u00c2\u00a0 But I have no idea if I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m even pronouncing their words correctly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran thought he had a good understanding of the Mystic language, but he wanted to keep the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s expectations realistic.\u00c2\u00a0 One of his father\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gems of wisdom was to set your superiors\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 expectations low, then deliver more than they expect.<\/p>\n

Edoss grinned.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like going into negotiations where I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what the other side is saying, Doctor.\u00c2\u00a0 I hope you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be well-practiced before we reach Markwatch.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

It sounded to Taran more like an order than a statement.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I will do my best, Excellency.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The train continued to slow until it finally stopped at the Doare train station.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran glanced out the windows, but saw nobody standing on the platform, though it was difficult to tell since the lamps had not yet been lit.<\/p>\n

Jac returned to the car and filled each tea cup, then took away the empty plates.\u00c2\u00a0 Edoss produced a small pipe, filled it with tobacco from a pouch in his coat, and lit it.\u00c2\u00a0 The fragrant tobacco smoke was tinged with cherry and spices, and made Taran want to run back to his cabin and get his own pipe.<\/p>\n

Cursh stamped some tobacco into a pipe, then asked Taran, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How do these Mystics do what they do?\u00c2\u00a0 Are they even human?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153None of the texts I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found agree on one theory.\u00c2\u00a0 Some say\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

A gun shot echoed from the back of the train, causing Taran to jump.<\/p>\n

Edoss said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What the bloody\u00e2\u20ac\u201d?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

A second shot rang out, followed by another, then an eruption of fire.\u00c2\u00a0 Several Shadarlak burst into the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s car, their revolvers drawn, their eyes scanning the car for threats.\u00c2\u00a0 One extinguished all the lamps in the car.\u00c2\u00a0 Edoss jumped up from his chair, followed by Cursh, and then Taran, and rushed to the windows on the platform side of the train.<\/p>\n

One of the Shadarlak whispered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Speaker, you must not go to the windows.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

When Edoss ignored him, the Shadarlak motioned two men to stand on either side of the Speaker.<\/p>\n

The darkness on the platform prevented Taran from seeing much, though he noticed an orange glow that pervaded the entire station and the sky beyond it.\u00c2\u00a0 The scent of smoke was stronger near the train\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s open windows, and Taran could not believe he previously mistook it for the train\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s own coal furnace.<\/p>\n

A large fire burned in the middle of Doare.\u00c2\u00a0 Judging from the size of that glow and the embers floating in the smoky air, it looked as if the entire town was burning behind the station building.<\/p>\n

Then the most inhuman, animalistic scream Taran had ever heard pierced the night.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran covered his ears, but it did not block out that awful howl.\u00c2\u00a0 The scream reverberated inside Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head, weakened his muscles, his bowels.\u00c2\u00a0 It carried on for what seemed like minutes, and then stopped.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran glanced around the car, saw that every other man had his hands to his ears and wore a pained expression.<\/p>\n

Motion on the platform outside caught his eye.\u00c2\u00a0 He recoiled.\u00c2\u00a0 Several glistening forms were crawling along the ground toward the train.\u00c2\u00a0 The wavering orange glow of the town fire made shadows leap and twist, but he thought he saw\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

A long gray tentacle, like from a squid washed upon the shores of Lake Maximohr, shot through the open window next to him.\u00c2\u00a0 It caught Cursh on the arm, wrapped itself tightly, and yanked the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s advisor toward the window.<\/p>\n

Cursh screamed.<\/p>\n

Several Shadarlak grabbed Cursh.\u00c2\u00a0 One of the Shadarlak drew a saber and sliced off the tentacle, sending Cursh and the Shadarlak holding him sprawling backward.\u00c2\u00a0 The other part of the tentacle retreated out the window, spewing black blood in its wake.\u00c2\u00a0 The inhuman shriek came again, and Taran wanted to cry out from the despair and terror with which it filled him.\u00c2\u00a0 More tentacles shot through the windows, thrashing about and pulling at the pictures, lamps, and curtains.<\/p>\n

As the Shadarlak fired their revolvers and slashed at the tentacles with their sabers, Taran saw the misshapen head of one of the creatures poke through a window.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a bulbous, oozing nightmare of a face, with no symmetry or recognizable features other than the oblong opening where dozens of yellow-gray teeth shone, some dangling bits of flesh from the thing\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s last meal.\u00c2\u00a0 It howled again, staggering Taran into the dinner table behind him.\u00c2\u00a0 He covered his ears and screamed to drown out that sound.\u00c2\u00a0 Anything to stop that sound.<\/p>\n

The train lurched forward.\u00c2\u00a0 The tentacles were at every window now, and some even had what seemed like clawed human hands at the ends.\u00c2\u00a0 They thrashed and whipped about the car.\u00c2\u00a0 They grabbed anything they could reach, including the Shadarlak, but the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bodyguards chopped off each tentacle that slithered through the now broken windows.<\/p>\n

As the train gained speed, the tentacles fell out of the car.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran continued to hear gun shots from up and down the train.<\/p>\n

The terrible howling stopped.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran was loath to go to the windows again, but his scientific curiosity overrode his fear and disgust.\u00c2\u00a0 He crept forward, past Edoss who was wrapping a tourniquet around Cursh\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bloody arm, and peered out one of the shattered windows.<\/p>\n

The train was passing through the outskirts of the town.\u00c2\u00a0 Several homes were blackened skeletons with wisps of smoke rising above them, the fires having burned themselves out only hours before.\u00c2\u00a0 In the ruins of one of the homes, Taran heard someone shouting.\u00c2\u00a0 He was about to alert the Shadarlak that someone needed help, but the words died on his lips.<\/p>\n

A man in the embers was illuminated by a cold, black light that enveloped him from a tendril of darkness reaching down from Angra.\u00c2\u00a0 He screamed words that Taran could not understand.\u00c2\u00a0 He pulled chunks of hair from his head and threw them at the train.\u00c2\u00a0 Several of the hideous forms that attacked the train writhed about him, some made up of nothing but greasy entrails while others\u00e2\u20ac\u201dmore horribly\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhad the warped bodies of humans, but with hideous, chitinous protrusions on their naked flesh.<\/p>\n

And the man seemed to be screaming at Taran.<\/p>\n

Taran suddenly understood some of the words he was saying.\u00c2\u00a0 They were ancient Mystic, though with a pronunciation different from what Taran had studied.<\/p>\n

Taran rushed past the Shadarlak to the car\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s door.\u00c2\u00a0 The Shadarlak captain, Latish, called from the other side of the car not to open the door, but no one was close enough to stop him.\u00c2\u00a0 He charged into the next car.<\/p>\n

All the Shadarlak in the next car looked out the glass-less windows, their revolvers and sabers drawn.\u00c2\u00a0 Several slimy tentacles lay on the floor in pools of black, stinking blood.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran picked his way through the men, then entered his own car, passing Flynt and Ladak in the cramped hallway, ignoring their frightened questions.\u00c2\u00a0 In the last car on the train, Taran went to the door at the end, squeezing between two Shadarlak with muskets aimed at the night behind them.<\/p>\n

The man in the burned house continued screaming.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran struggled to listen to the words as the train\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s locomotive picked up speed and noise.\u00c2\u00a0 The train was soon out of hearing distance, but the man continued to gesture and shout, the monstrosities at his feet writhing and caressing him with their tentacles, hands, and grisly limbs.<\/p>\n

The man ran to the side of the train tracks, his creatures following him, and then pointed to the tracks.\u00c2\u00a0 With impossible strength, the nightmarish tentacles and limbs tore up the iron tracks and wooden slats, destroying both sets of tracks going in either direction.<\/p>\n

A Shadarlak grunted, an older man with a scar along his chin.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like we won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be taking a train back to Calaman.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Another Shadarlak holding the muskets asked Taran in a frightened voice, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are those things?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran said nothing, just stared at the gruesome mass and the man who continued shouting at him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cover by TJ Lomas. I’m posting a chapter from my latest fantasy novel for free every Monday and Friday (click Zervakan above for a synopsis and to start from the beginning). It’s in a “pre-published state,” meaning you might find the occasional spelling\/grammar mistake. If you do, please leave a comment below or email me […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,28,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-free-stuff","category-novels","category-zervakan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=118"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}