Belly of the Beast by Warren Thomas (story books for 5 year olds txt) 📕

troupe managed to enter the city they would quickly be identified and captured. Unfortunately, in his ruse as a Priest of Ashtar, he couldn't possibly know that, so could not tell Jessy.

            “Tane has been, and will continue to be, careful,” Nizar said. “His caution is to our advantage.”

            “He didn’t seem too cautious when he passed straight through that army two weeks back,” she said, eyes flashing with pride. “Granted, they were ordered to let him escape, but he doesn’t know that. That was the gutsiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

            He hoped she didn't see his grimace. He had told her Tane was allowed to pass by Dakar's influence. He knew the truth. No one within Dakar's priesthood and military host was pleased by their success. Dakar was furious.

            “You will have to display the same degree of ‘gutsiness’ if we are to stop him, too,” Nizar said, pleased with the way her face fell at his words. “Remember, you have no choice but to strike him down the instant he shows any sign of not believing you. Do not give him or his cohorts a chance to escape, or the world as we know it is doomed.”

            “I know what is expected of me.” She dropped her eyes and gnawed on her lip again, then sighed. “I don’t need you constantly reminding me of it.”

            “But you do, Jessy. Your slightest hesitation could condemn the world,” Nizar said. “Tane may or may not understand who he is serving, but he has to be stopped at all costs. If you don’t agree, or believe you are unable to carry out your duties, tell me now. I’ll understand.”

            For a moment he feared she would back out. Jessy looked as distressed as he had ever seen her. She wrung her hands and chewed her lip, downcast eyes glazed and lost in her own mind. When she spoke, he could barely hear her words.

            “I can do it,” she said, then looked up with teary eyes. “But I will surely die afterwards. I don’t think I’ll be able to live with myself if I have to kill him.”

            “Fear not, my child. Ashtar will be there for you,” Nizar said. “Now, go upstairs and get some rest. Tomorrow will be time enough to worry about the future.”

            Nodding, Jessy did as he bid. He watched her go, wondering if she was strong enough to see the deed through. But the sight of her would be enough to make the swordsmith hesitate. That's all he really needed from her.

            Either way, Nizar knew he was more than strong enough to stop Tane Kyleson and his comrades. The threat to Dakar would be put to rest, one way or another.

            Rising, “Innkeep!”

            The man hurried over, all but groveling. He was short and skinny, with the stench of stale wine and unwashed flesh about him. Nizar had to fight the urge to hold his breath.

            “Yes, Your Grace?”

            “I have duties to attend to,” Nizar said, giving the innkeep a threatening look. He didn’t trust the free-minded denizens of the conquered lands. “See to it the girl is not disturbed. And if she should ask about me, tell her I’ll return shortly.”

            “As Your Grace wishes.”

            Satisfied, Nizar departed and headed back to the city gate. He had a trap to set. The swordsmith would not be given a single opportunity to escape him again.

Chapter 80

            The freezing cold woke Tane in the middle of Quinn’s watch, an ominous rumble filling the night. He found Raven snuggled up close, feeling so warm and comforting. Then Tane realized he had an arm around her, with his hand holding a breast.

            Tane froze, unable to breathe and wide awake.

            They remained fully dressed, except for their boots. Raven’s head rested on his shoulder, forehead pressed against his cheek. She had an arm and leg thrown across him. His blood began to pound, and things stirred.

            Tane felt his face heat up when he made to move his hand off her breast, and squeezed first. Why did he do that? He froze again, focused on her. Raven made a tiny sound, ground against him, and tightened her hold. She didn’t wake up.

            So he slowly, carefully shifted his hand to her waist. And then he gently eased out from under Raven, but her eyes popped open. She gave him a groggy, annoyed look. Tane could only shrug, for he was wide awake now and couldn’t just lay there as much as he might want to. When she realized that he was getting up, she scooted over and pressed herself against Armin. Tane grinned, wondering how the Vikon would react when he found himself pressed between his wife and Raven.

            Lucky, I suspect, he thought.

            After putting on his boots, Tane pulled on the icy cold hauberk before buckling on his sword and going in search of Quinn. It took him a moment to locate the half-elf. Quinn was a master at blending into the night forest. Tane would’ve never found him if Quinn hadn’t signaled to him.

            “There’s still another hour until dawn,” Quinn said as Tane joined him. He was sitting in heavy brush, with a view of the city below. “You, above all of us, need your sleep. We only have to get you there, while your job begins once you arrive.”

            Tane leaned against a pine and stared at the city. Their camp lay about three-quarters up a hill, with Caeren sprawled atop another hill. The terrain between them and the city remained heavily wooded. It looked rough, with a stream meandering about. The land south and east of the city looked relatively flat, so they had cleared it for farming. Even to the north, Tane had noticed farming villages within a day or two of the city.

            Caeren had massive stone walls, with round towers. All white-washed. But that glowing, angry maelstrom rising up out of the city held his