Free Chaosmage by Stephen Aryan Page B

telling the story might have made Rees lose his appetite, but he persisted and was clearly determined to eat every scrap on his plate.
    â€œHow do we find the independent camps?” asked Tammy, breaking the heavy silence that had settled on the room.
    â€œI can draw you a map of the city and the last known locations of all the camps. All of them are guarded during the day, but you’ll soon know which are run by mercenaries and which by local people.”
    One of Rees’s men went to fetch some paper and ink while he finished eating. As they waited Tammy asked him more questions about the layout of the city and landmarks to help them navigate. Balfruss listened with one ear, but the rest of his focus was resting on a single soldier. His armour was dusty and Balfruss hadn’t seen him earlier, which meant he’d come in with the Captain. At first glance he seemed like all of the other guards, a tall golden - skinned man in battered armour, but there was something amiss. He seemed lost in thought and his right hand twitched uncontrollably.
    â€œThe supplies will be useful currency,” said Rees. “But they’ll also make you a target. No one has escaped the city in weeks, so they’ll be desperate and will try to kill you for the food you’re carrying.”
    â€œWho will?” asked Tammy.
    â€œEveryone,” said Rees with a feral grin.
    Balfruss noticed the distracted guard wasn’t following the conversation. So far all he’d done was stare at the floor, but adrenaline began to flood Balfruss’s body, amplifying his senses.
    â€œCan we borrow a couple of horses to transport the supplies?” asked Tammy.
    Rees shook his head. “They would be slaughtered for meat the minute you set foot inside the city. There are no animals anywhere in Voechenka. No cats or dogs, no birds, not even a rat. You’ll have to carry the supplies.”
    â€œThe Embrace will not be denied,” muttered the guard, but no one except Balfruss noticed. Moving slowly so as not to cause any alarm, Balfruss released the axe at his belt, gripping it tightly in one hand. The guard remained unaware, muttering to himself and shaking his head. Like every other guard his gold - tinted skin was pale, but as Balfruss watched, it regained some of its natural sheen. The gauntness of his features began to fade and the heavy shadows beneath his eyes completely disappeared. The transformation took only a few seconds and when it was over the guard looked healthy and well rested.
    â€œThe Embrace. That’s what it’s called,” said the guard a little louder, and this time his voice carried around the room. “Those who come back.”
    Rees wasn’t really paying attention, but he nodded along. “That’s right. The embrace, whatever that means.”
    â€œThe Embrace will bring you peace. It is glorious.” As the guard spoke he pushed himself away from the wall. His eyes burned with an intense passion, bordering on the zealous.
    At the same time Balfruss stood up, keeping his axe ready to strike, just in case. Tammy glanced at him and quickly scrambled back from her chair, drawing
Maligne
. The unusual blade glimmered in the flickering torches, catching the light or perhaps reacting to something in the air.
    The room began to empty as the priests sensed imminent violence and ran to get out of the way as quickly as possible. Rees and the other guards drew their swords, forming a ring of steel around the peculiar man.
    â€œNo, no, no,” said Rees. “Sornan. Not you.”
    â€œWhat’s happening?” asked Tammy.
    â€œThey got to him,” said Rees. “He’s one of them.”
    â€œIt’s far easier if you surrender,” said Sornan, beseeching his friends with a smile. By comparison their faces were tight with tension. Their discipline kept them from acting, but Balfruss knew all of them wanted to kill Sornan who, until moments ago,