Free Secrets of Arkana Fortress by Andy P Wood

pack that in, you know.’ Orlanna moved over to him and laid a dainty hand on his – a sheer contrast in comparison. ‘You know what they said about overconsumption.’
                  ‘Oh please,’ he remarked. ‘Doctors don’t know shit in this city. Pull the other one, would ya?’
                  The conversation died and Orlanna huffed profusely at Dedrick’s constant dismissal at what many medical professionals had said to him – ‘continue drinking and even magic won’t be able to save you’ . At 56 he was too much of a crusty old warhorse to take heed at what the doctors had told him.
                  For a brief moment he reflected on some of the times Evie had scolded him at his dismissal at the warning. The last time she had done this was only the other day – she had become so het up after finding him sloshed on an entire bottle of vodka that she had repeatedly slapped him around the face until he was forced to restrain her, much to his reluctance. His niece was the most precious thing he had in his life, and he would die to save her, it was as simple as that. He was like a father to her, and she a daughter to him.
    Her mother, Dedrick’s sister, had disappeared some years ago when she had opted to travel to the southern city of Yokitos; aptly named the ‘Secret City’ because of the lack of knowledge about it or its inhabitants. People knew it was there though as there had been stories in ancient lore about the fearsome efficiency of Yokitos warriors in battles stemming back to points in history where cities like Donnol, Hocknis, and Traseken hadn’t even been thought of.
                  Evie’s father had been killed in a street brawl along with her brother, leaving the then teenage girl in the care of her uncle Dedrick. He had taught her many things; including how to fight, survive in rough environments, and how to tackle the dangerous intricacies of Donnol society. He had taken her under his wing not just out of a sense of duty, but out of love for his family – she was his daughter now.
                  He rubbed his forehead methodically, a headache now looming over his already run-down state.
                  ‘Get some sleep,’ ordered Orlanna, her hands placed firmly on her curvy hips.
                  ‘That means getting up and going back to my room,’ Dedrick moaned as if he was a little child.
                  ‘Just kip on my bed then, you moaning old sod.’
                  He eased himself up and looked at Orlanna longingly. ‘What would I do without you to tell me what to do, eh?’ He stepped toward her and placed his arm around her waist.
                  ‘Don’t you dare kiss me with that sour mash mouth of yours,’ she remarked as she recoiled from his hold. ‘Get to bed and have some shut eye.’
                  A moan and a groan later, he was lying on the bed with one arm over his face. ‘Yeah… I’ll let that trader sweat for a few hours before I go back to him…’
                  Orlanna stretched herself out and then rubbed her face. ‘Let’s hope he makes the wise decision then,’ she mused, but Dedrick was already snoring.
     
    Chapter 6
     
    Kelken had seen many a thing throughout his life, but it never filled him with confidence when someone was mugged by a group of thugs; especially when it was him.
                  He and Breena had grabbed a room at short notice, paying a few extra rubos for the landlord not to kick up a fuss over Kelken’s battered and bloodied state. They just needed a place for the night to recuperate.
                  Breena dabbed her father’s face with a clean rag soaked in strong alcohol – a waste by Kelken’s terms. A few cuts here and there were nothing considering their past contracts; many of them much more severe than taking out a simple