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

back on them, hanging onto her saddle and shaking so violently Tane found himself alarmed despite her words. Everyone else was too shocked to move, or even think.

            “I don’t understand,” Tane said.

            That unleashed a torrent of self-abuse from her, though she never turned to face them. In between berating herself, she told the story of the “prince” in the tavern.

            “Clever use of magic,” Joelle said after Raven finished. “But why do you blame yourself? I don’t blame you. Tane doesn’t blame you. Only you choose lay blame at your feet.”

            “Besides, Tane lost his mail when we were captured, so they can’t track us like that anymore,” Armin said.

            “You were bespelled,” Tane said, stepping up beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder. He was shocked to discover her trembling. “We’ve all been magicked at one time or another. You’ve just suffered more than the rest of us by being attacked twice.”

            “If I had been stronger, less vain, or not such a harlot, none of you would’ve been captured and enchanted,” she said. “It was my failure, my weakness, that brought Dakar’s priests and zombies down on us.”

            “And you were the first to declare your support for me after we escaped Kestsax,” Tane said. “You refused to desert me or my cause, even though I tried to run you all away. I believe the others had been prepared to go their separate ways, until you spoke your mind.”

            “And here we are,” Armin said. “Let’s hang her.”

            Tane looked around in shock.

            “No, hanging is too good for her,” Joelle said. “Let’s draw and quarter her.”

            “Wait, I know,” Quinn said. “We can force her to stay with us. The cold and hunger of the trip will be a hundred times worse than death. And to add insult to injury, no one will laugh at any of her stupid jokes.”

            Tane grinned at the others. Even Raven managed a weak smile.

            “That won’t be any problem,” Armin said. “None of her jokes are funny anyway.”

            “Ha! You’re just jealous because all my jokes go over your head,” Raven said. “You wouldn’t know funny if it bit your nose off.”

            While Raven’s attention was diverted, Tane signaled to Joelle. The witch eased over behind Raven. Raven stiffened when Joelle laid hands on her neck. Tane was prepared to hold her in place, and prayed the other two men came to his rescue, if she resisted. But Raven’s eyes went wide, then closed.

            Smiling in relief, Joelle closed her own eyes and began a low chant. While he watched, Tane saw Raven’s whole body begin to relax. He hadn’t realized how much pain she had been in until then. It amazed him how people would punish themselves needlessly.

Chapter 64

            The Grand Temple of Dakar in Treversax was the largest temple complex in the Leltic Lands still intact. All signs that it was built as a temple of Kamain had been meticulously eradicated. Now the ceilings were painted dark gray, the many columns and walls were black. The effect gave the impression of eternal night, since not even the brightest lamp seemed able to give light for more than a few feet.

            Jessy didn’t care. Standing in a small pool of lamplight, she barely even noticed her surroundings. Her master, High Priest Mogens, had ordered her to guard the door to his quarters. She had no other duty, no other wish or desire. It was far easier than storming the walls of Kestsax and Calan had been, and warmer. The food wasn’t any better, but it was regular. She had no other concerns.

            Food, warmth, and obedience were the limits of her ability to think, to consider. If something couldn’t be eaten, or keep her warm, or fall within the parameters of her orders, then she had no use for it.

            A small sound to her right caught her attention. She focused on it, narrowing her eyes to peer into the constant gloom. There was a movement, which quickly coalesced into a robed man striding toward her. He was accompanied by a smaller robed figure to his rear, probably a woman. She didn’t care, as long as they didn’t try to enter her master’s quarters.

            Watching the pair approach, she tightened her grip upon the spear and moved her left hand over to loosen her new sword in its scabbard. Just in case. The High Priest’s quarters were at the end of the passage, high in the temple’s north tower. There were only two doors between her and the newcomers.

            She watched calmly as they passed first one, then the last door. At that time she lifted the spear and held it diagonally across her body. They would not pass while she lived. Those were her orders. There was no other option for her.

            “Halt,” she said in a neutral voice. So far, the intruders hadn’t given her any reason to believe they meant mischief, or worse. “The High Priest is not in his quarters, Your Grace. No one may pass.”

            The priest stopped at the edge of the light. She had never seen him before. He was tall and slim, dressed head to toe in dark gray robes, turban, and veil. All she could see of him were fierce black eyes. The woman stayed back in the shadows.

            “I am Nizar al-Sayyid, Priest of Dakar,” he said, stepping closer. “I was told that you have recently come from the fighting. Is this true?”

            “Yes.”

            He nodded, seemingly satisfied. He stepped closer.

            “Our Divine Master believes the Arisen Gods have unleashed a terrible plague upon the recently conquered lands, intent on destroying His mortal host,” Nizar continued, moving ever closer. “He has sent me around to check on everyone that has been on the front.”

            Jessy lowered the spearhead, aiming it at Nizar’s heart. He prudently stopped, his eyes narrowing in anger.

            “Do you question me?” he demanded.

            “I do not know you,” she