Free The Winterstone Plague (The Carrion Cycle) by David Scroggins

discussion already. I am afraid we did not eradicate the Vel’Haen with a single dagger plunged into the heads of three dead men. There are many more awaiting us! Did I not promise to show you more of these beasts tomorrow?”
    Philip nodded. “Indeed you did. My apologies. I need a cup of fine brandy and a good night’s sleep after all that has happened.”
    “I am sorry, My Lord, but it may be many nights before any of us receives a good night’s rest. I suggest getting as much as you can for what remains of this night; tomorrow you must gather your best guardsmen. We shall visit a place with a much greater number of those who have arisen from below , as you so eloquently put it. As for the people of this village, we shall have to pay close attention to all injuries and deaths. Those who are afflicted must be put into their graves the proper way before they have a chance to do harm.”
    Philip swallowed hard. He gazed into the priest’s eyes and saw a look of steel determination. “Are you saying that this is some sort of disease?”
    “Philip De’Fathi,” Abytheos said, his voice unwavering. “It is my guess that this particular winter has brought with it a great and damning plague. As lord of Solstice, you will witness a great many deaths before it is done. Some of those deaths will be the people you have cherished and even loved for generations! Without immediate action, Solstice shall fall and only the dead shall rise from the ashes to spread the sickness throughout the land of Vintermore and beyond! It is my feeling that the whole of Alvanshia shall shift until the world becomes nothing more than a great ruin among the stars!”
    The priest took a step forward, standing close enough to make Philip uncomfortable. He was tall, his frame thin, but Abytheos Haym still managed to be an imposing figure.
    “But the future that I see does not have to come to pass.”
    “How can we change what has already been set into motion?”
    Abytheos smiled. “Do as I say. Take my advice and I shall rid Solstice of this plague forever. In doing so, I shall keep it from spreading to the rest of the world.”
    “What assurances do I have that you can be trusted?”
    “Have I not saved your life? Without me, you would have been killed—or worse. Are the words I have spoken since our first meeting not all true? My lord, I have only known you for a day and a night, and I have been nothing if not forthright with you. Tomorrow, I shall keep an additional promise. If you cannot trust me, who can you trust?”
    “If you can truly help us as in the way that you claim, I am inclined to give you a chance to prove your worth,” Philip said, sighing. “However, you should know that not every villager will listen to you. You are an outsider to them; many shall resist. I will also not allow you to prance around Solstice as if you own her. It is my belief that you have been honest thus far. I should hope this honesty continues.”
    “You have my word,” Abytheos said, smiling. “It is not my place to turn your people against you. I only seek to provide help in any way that I can. I will spread the words of my faith—this is true—but I will also use what little experience I have with the Vel’Haen to prepare your village. Although I have no extensive knowledge of them, I have spent more time around them than you or any other man in Solstice. My method of killing them is the only one that has worked. I only ask that you heed my advice to keep your beloved village from being destroyed.”
    “Your words are wise,” Philip agreed. “I will take what advice you have to offer.”
    “Good. Now let us rest until sunrise. Tomorrow, we shall brave the elements and send more of the dead back to their graves!”
    * * *
    “T here are far more of these devils than you said there would be. I do not appreciate misinformation, as you are already aware. Are they all dead now?”
    Balin of Dor, captain of the king’s guard walked among the