Terror of the Sixth Spire Preview #7

On there way to the city of Trinity, Caellan, Caezik and Djinn discover a group of bandits harassing a wagon and its two occupants. With little effort, they chase off the bandits and save the wagon. To their surprise, one of the occupants, a woman, was not very grateful.

“We didn’t need your help,” the woman said.

“You’re welcome,” Caellan said.

“I don’t recall saying ‘thank you’. In fact, you owe us an apology. The bandit king will hear about this and send more of his goons. Hopefully, no one will die, because of your arrogance.”

“We won’t let that happen,” Caellan said. “I will defend this barony including your city till my last dying breath.”

“Is that you, Cael,” the woman said. She approached him slowly while studying his face. Looking at her, she looked familiar. She was someone from his childhood. “It is you.” She gave him a large endearing smile. “You still have those floppy ears and haunting eyes. I should have known. You are the only man I know who would rescue someone whiles quoting poetry.” Then, he remembered her. She was the girl from his childhood who made fun of his etiquette and refinement.

“Don’t blame him,” Caezik said walking out of the brush. “Meera forced him to memorize all those poems. She said it made him a more rounded individual. Poor bastard spent days quoting all those awful lines.”

“Cae,” the woman cried. She ran up and hugged Caezik.
“It’s nice to you see you, Kasha,” Caezik grunted under the firm embrace.

“So the rumors are true. You and Caellan have returned.”

“Like I said, we are here to help, Kasha,” Caellan said while dismounting his horse.

Kasha walked over and gave him a long warm kiss. For a moment, the forest and his worries melted away as old memories flooded his mind. She released him with a hungry look before stepping away. “I am sorry. I forgot. You are married now.”

“Not anymore. She passed away six months ago.” It was still hard for him to say it. He could still see the light fading from his wife’s dying eyes.

“I am sorry for your loss. She must have been a remarkable woman.”

“And, what about you? Surely, you have found a good husband.”

“There are no good husbands out there. I had a few dallies, but no one ever held my heart like you did.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“Didn’t you tell me once that love was like wine. It only got better over time.” She stroked his jaw with one finger.

“Sounds like one of his blasted poems,” Caezik said. “It is getting late. I would rather sleep on a warm bed instead of the ground.”

“We can certainly help with warm beds,” she said while staring at Caellan. “It’s not far.” Kasha stepped away and pulled herself onto the wagon. “This is Burdock. He helps me transport my ale.”

“It is a pleasure, baron,” he bowed deeply to Caellan.

“Now, don’t fall off the wagon. I can’t afford for you to get hurt.”

“Can I come out now?” Djinn said from the bushes. “Are all the scared humans gone?”

“You can come out,” Caezik yelled before Caellan could say anything.

Kasha gasped when she saw the orc emerge from the brush. “What is an orc doing here?”

“His name is Djinn, and he is our advisor. In fact, he is a chaos wizard.”  She gave him a dubious look

“I will be happy to show you my power,” Djinn said. He raised his arms and Caezik quickly interceded.

“She need not see your power.”

“How do you know you can trust him? I’ve heard stories of their treachery.”

“He saved our lives, and he is a good friend.”

“Then, he is a friend of mine.”

“It’s an orc,” Burdock exclaimed.

“Calm down, Burd,” Kasha said patting his arm. “We have Caezik and a poet to protect us.” Burdock’s suspicious eyes lingered on the orc. Djinn ignored the man and retrieved his llama. Once mounted, they began their ride through the forest.

-Excerpt from Chapter 15, Terror of the Sixth Spire, Fallen Spires Book 2