{"id":179,"date":"2012-09-14T12:09:53","date_gmt":"2012-09-14T16:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=179"},"modified":"2012-09-14T12:09:53","modified_gmt":"2012-09-14T16:09:53","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-44","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=179","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 44"},"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 44<\/h2>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ladak?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said when Edoss told him about the Fomorian outside the wagon.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s impossible.\u00c2\u00a0 I…\u00c2\u00a0 How could he be a Fomorian?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran was stunned that the man he thought he had torn to pieces now stood outside the shield.\u00c2\u00a0 Had the Ladak Taran killed been an illusion, too?<\/p>\n

Though his hands were still bound, he balled them into fists and slammed them down on the floor of the wagon.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He saw my daughter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He saw her in the picture I showed him.\u00c2\u00a0 That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s how he created the illusion of her.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

So kill him again if he makes you so angry,<\/em> the dark voice said.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hands shook, for he wanted to do just that.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He wants the Tuathans to hand you over to him,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So either I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m executed by the Tuathans, or given to the Fomorians to become one of their harrowers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t begin to understand what you are or what you can do.\u00c2\u00a0 But you are a Compact citizen, and it is my duty to keep you safe.\u00c2\u00a0 I will not let the Tuathans kill you, Doctor Abreau, nor let them give you to the Fomorians.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran locked stares with the Speaker.\u00c2\u00a0 Edoss couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do much if the Tuathans, much less the Fomorians, decided they wanted to keep Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 Still, he appreciated the Speaker’s willingness to fight for him.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you, Excellency.\u00c2\u00a0 You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a good man.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 With a rueful grin, Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t vote for you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss returned his grin.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well I damn well better have it in the next election.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s grin melted when they heard several people screaming from the other end of the column.\u00c2\u00a0 When gunfire erupted, Edoss jumped out of the wagon, as did Taran.<\/p>\n

Outside was chaos.\u00c2\u00a0 Tuathans ran toward them from the front of the column, while priests and Heshmen ran in the opposite direction.\u00c2\u00a0 The Shadarlak surrounding the wagon immediately formed a protective circle around Edoss and Taran, causing Edoss to peer between their shoulders to see what was happening.<\/p>\n

When Cursh entered the Shadarlak circle, Edoss shouted, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s happening?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know, but I think the shield just fell.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran looked up and noticed for the first time that the bluish translucence of the shield no longer surrounded them.<\/p>\n

Unholy shrieks burst from the forest behind the column.\u00c2\u00a0 Dozens of Tainted monstrosities\u00e2\u20ac\u201dmulti-limbed, glistening, barbed tentacles\u00e2\u20ac\u201dchased panicked Tuathans toward the beach.\u00c2\u00a0 Six or seven Shadarlak ran behind the last of the Tuathans, covering their flight with revolver fire in a running retreat.\u00c2\u00a0 A dozen Heshmen also covered the Tuathans, tossing spears and shooting arrows at the beasts.<\/p>\n

But bullets and spears did not stop the Tainted.\u00c2\u00a0 One of the monsters wrapped its tentacles around a Shadarlak and pulled him into the air, where several more clawed legs ripped the screaming man in half and tossed both sections to the side.<\/p>\n

Captain Laesh burst through the circle of Shadarlak and pulled Edoss toward the beach without an apology over his rough handling.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran followed, leaping into a sprint toward the beach.\u00c2\u00a0 As they ran, Captain Laesh took a knife from his belt and cut Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bindings.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran was grateful, but with the Tuathan barrier surrounding him, he could Wield neither Ahura nor Angra to fight the Tainted.\u00c2\u00a0 After only two days of Wielding, he already felt helpless knowing he could not touch either ring.<\/p>\n

As if on cue, the dark voice in his mind laughed quietly.<\/p>\n

The road turned and twisted between abandoned, crumbling thatch huts and log buildings before ending at two stone piers on the beach.\u00c2\u00a0 All along the beach, people ran into the waves to escape the braying, screeching Tainted loping after them.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran wondered if the panicked Tuathans expected to swim to Turricia.<\/p>\n

Taran watched in awed horror as the Heshmen and the Shadarlak formed up ranks, side by side, creating a line so the Tainted could not reach the fleeing Tuathans charging into the waves.\u00c2\u00a0 Edoss formed his men into firing lines, while Laesh commanded a second group of Shadarlak.\u00c2\u00a0 Heshmen captains cried out orders to their men.\u00c2\u00a0 The men had just formed their ranks when the Tainted horde slammed into them.\u00c2\u00a0 Arrows, spears, sabers, and bullets filled the air.\u00c2\u00a0 Though no Tainted seem to die, many fell to the ground, thrashing about without limbs severed by the humans.\u00c2\u00a0 But many more\u00e2\u20ac\u201dtoo many more\u00e2\u20ac\u201dleaped over their flailing brethren and engaged the small army in a melee of spurting tubes, sabers, and spears.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran turned to his left and saw Fatimah running toward him, tears streaming down her face.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I cannot find Eblin.\u00c2\u00a0 You have to help me find Eblin!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran grabbed a hold of Fatimah\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulders, glancing at the howling Tainted just a few paces away.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where did you see her last?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She was\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I was right beside her when…when the shield fell.\u00c2\u00a0 After that…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 She looked at Taran, shame contorting her face.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I left her.\u00c2\u00a0 I ran, and I left her.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fatimah, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll help you find her,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but you have to help me.\u00c2\u00a0 Can you remove this barrier around me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah shook her head.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I do not know how.\u00c2\u00a0 It was something Melahara discovered.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 She scanned the panicked mass of Tuathans along the beach, and screamed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Eblin!\u00c2\u00a0 Eblin!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fatimah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran shouted.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You have to try, or I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She stared at him, as if searching his soul for something.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran knew what it was.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fatimah, I am not a harrower.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 The dark voice laughed.\u00c2\u00a0 You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re becoming a good liar.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fatimah looked at him for a desperate moment, then raised her hand to Ahura, closed her eyes, and said an incantation.\u00c2\u00a0 A multi-colored tendril of Ahura weaved down from the ring and caressed Fatimah\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah put a hand on Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart.\u00c2\u00a0 Her brow furrowed.\u00c2\u00a0 She tilted her head from side to side, as if looking for something she could not find.\u00c2\u00a0 Moments later she opened her eyes, frustration filling them.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I cannot find it\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Try again, Fatimah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.\u00c2\u00a0 He pointed to the slaughter going on only a dozen paces away.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t last much longer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She closed her eyes again, and the tendril of Ahura returned to her hand.\u00c2\u00a0 After several moments, a horrible shriek filled the air, and Taran looked up to see one of the Tainted break through the ranks of the Heshmen and Shadarlak.\u00c2\u00a0 Its four gray limbs pumped hard straight for him and Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 The sun glistened sickeningly off its mottled skin and five moist, barbed legs.<\/p>\n

Taran wondered briefly what this poor creature had once been.\u00c2\u00a0 He wondered, too, what would happen to him if he fell into Fomorian hands and they turned him into some version of that thing.\u00c2\u00a0 Better to die<\/em> from it than to become<\/em> it.<\/p>\n

And then the barrier was gone.\u00c2\u00a0 Fear, anger, and frustration at the Tainted attack overwhelmed Taran, and he reached for Angra rather than Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 A black tendril from the ring forked down to his outstretched hand, and he directed all his hatred and loathing at the creature about to attack him and Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 Flames burst from the beast\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s various mouths, consuming the monster\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s entire body in a flash, as if it were dry grass.\u00c2\u00a0 Nothing was left but cloud of ash dispersing on the sea breeze.<\/p>\n

But his anger was not appeased.\u00c2\u00a0 He pointed at the entire line of Tainted that were slaughtering the Heshmen and Shadarlak.\u00c2\u00a0 One by one, up and down the line, they exploded into flames.\u00c2\u00a0 The Tainted were immolated so fast that Shadarlak in mid-swing with their sabers sliced through air, and Heshmen stabbed with their spears at flaming ash.<\/p>\n

When all the monsters were destroyed, and none flowing from the huts and alleys nearby, the Tuathans and the Recindians glanced at one another in disbelief.\u00c2\u00a0 They did not stand around long, for Edoss and the Heshman captains ordered their men to form up ranks again to protect the mass of panicked Tuathans gathering in the water and on the stone piers.<\/p>\n

Taran held on to Angra, searching for something else to destroy.\u00c2\u00a0 Now kill them all<\/em>, the dark voice said, before they kill you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran screamed.\u00c2\u00a0 Then with a great force of will, he released Angra.\u00c2\u00a0 The crush of Mundane senses returned.<\/p>\n

Taran looked at Fatimah, who stared at him with wide eyes.\u00c2\u00a0 She took a couple of steps backward.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We need to find Eblin now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look at me like that Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 I can control it.\u00c2\u00a0 I can…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah gave him a pitiful look and shook her head.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It will destroy you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Before Taran could respond, he felt a crushing force, like a large invisible hand, grab him around the torso and fling him into the air above the beach.\u00c2\u00a0 He flew several dozen paces over the abandoned village toward the edge of the forest nearby.\u00c2\u00a0 He fell onto the muddy road from which he had just fled, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs and stunning him.\u00c2\u00a0 Gasping for breath, he looked up.<\/p>\n

Kumar Ladak squatted in front of him, his gray eyes bright beneath his tri-corner hat.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 We need to talk.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/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-179","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\/179","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=179"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=179"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=179"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}