Free Stormcaller (Book 1) by Everet Martins

reflection of how Walter felt. Walter had trained longer than Juzo, enabling him to maintain the image of a man less affected, digging deep for internal strength.
    “Easy for you to say,” Juzo sighed.
    “And you think this has been a casual stroll in Breden Square for me?” Walter snapped.
    Juzo rolled up his trousers and removed his bandages, inspecting his wound. It was a grisly sight, despite repeated applications of antiseptic Ribwort oil. It had a black and greenish hue, obvious signs of infection. A Rot Fly landed on it, sticking its plunger-like proboscis into the wound. This certainly explains his spirits – it must be agonizing ,Walter thought, drumming his fingers on his chest.
    Walter helped Juzo change his bandages and lifted him to his feet. “We’re going to be alright. We just need to get to Midgaard and get help. It’s just another three days’ march. I know we can make it,” Walter said, setting his jaw.
    “Yeah, we’ll be OK,” Juzo smiled feebly. “How do you know it’s only three days?”
    “Dad took me once for an elixir delivery. We didn’t stay long, but it’s an incredible city, truly. You’re going to love it,” he said with mild enthusiasm.
    “Are there lots of beautiful women with big tits and round behinds?” Juzo asked, the hint of a smile touching his eyes.
    “More than you could possibly handle – c’mon, let’s get moving.” Walter beckoned. They proceeded down the subterranean tunnels towards the other light source, leaving the twitching Cerumal legs behind. About fifteen minutes later they passed under what appeared to be another brush-and-sticks-covered hole above them. Walter peered up at it, beams of light glittering on his face.
    “By the Dragon, they’re traps,” said Juzo gravely.
    “And we fell through one…” Walter trailed off.
    “Who or what makes traps underground like this?” asked Juzo.
    Walter shook his head. “Let’s hope we don’t find out.” He hefted his dark spear, gripping it firmly, reminding himself of its existence.
    They traversed various bends in the tunnel, and encountered a fork, Walter leading them to the right. It felt like they were ants working their way through an artery. The tunnel gradually sloped downward, further into the depths, becoming increasingly colder. They rounded another bend, following where a faint beacon of light shone through the tunnel roof ahead of them.
    A dull crack resonated in the tunnel. The sticks strewn about the hole ahead gave way, raining organic debris. A black spotted fawn tumbled gracelessly onto the tunnel floor, smacking face first. The creature bleated in pain. Walter and Juzo froze, staring agape. The trap hole now clearly illuminated the creature to the detriment of their acclimated night vision.
    Something flowed from the darkness beyond the trap, like a living water skin. It moved as though it didn’t have bones. It was covered in thick gray fur, with small nubs where arms should be, studded with deadly spines. It didn’t appear to have eyes, but made up for that with an enormous maw and teeth the length of a man’s hand. It pounced on the fawn, its mouth outstretched, and brutally ripped a chunk of the bleating fawn’s throat out.
    Walter reached back for Juzo, not removing his gaze from the bulbous pincushion of a creature. They inched back, hardly breathing lest it detect them. They cautiously made their way around the bend from where they’d come.
    Walter’s hands were slick with perspiration. His spear slipped from his grasp. Grip too tight! He scolded himself. Luck was not on their side. The spearhead rattled when it made contact with a blunt stone. A sharp hiss slashed the air where the creature was. “Run!” Walter yelped, retrieving the weapon.
    The creature flowed across the ground, tumbling towards them and gnashing its grisly fangs. Walter dashed, leading them back to the last fork they’d passed, veering into the other branch. He hoped the creature would continue