Free Ocean Of Fear (Book 6) by William King Page A

something guarding it then,” said Jonas.
    “In my experience there usually is in a place like this.”
    “It’s good that you have some experience of situations like this, Sir Kormak,” said Zamara, a note of cool irony in his voice. “I’m glad someone has.”
    Kormak shrugged.
    “And what does your vast experience suggest we should do now?” Zamara asked.
    “Leave the thing well alone.”
    “The Kraken thought it worth coming all this way for,” said Jonas.
    “Just from the look of it, it’s worth a king’s ransom,” said Zamara. Both men exchanged glances. The gem was worth a lot more than the bounty Aemon of Siderea would pay for the Kraken. They had come all this way themselves and if they could not return with the pirate’s head, they could go back with something even more valuable.
    “I would not do that if I were you,” said Kormak. “The gem is a source of magical power. Look at the way it glows  
    “We do not all have your admirable capacity for self-denial, Guardian,” said Zamara. “Terves go fetch the gem.”
    Terves looked at Kormak. Kormak shook his head. Terves looked at the priest and his captain and both of them nodded.
    “A triple share for the man who brings me that gem,” said Zamara.
    Terves took a slow step towards the great idol. A squad of the younger soldiers, forgetting their fear, raced ahead to the idol. One of them scrambled up onto its legs and reached up to get the gem.  
    The statue’s eyes opened. The soldiers froze.
    The idol swept out a huge webbed claw and removed the head of the nearest marine. The monster reared on its two hind legs.  
    Zamara’s mouth hung open. His eyes were wide. He swallowed and then shouted, “Fire! Fire! Fire!”
    A hail of crossbow bolts hit the beast, emerging from its skin like needles from a pin-cushion. The creature opened its huge mouth, revealing endless rows of serrated teeth. A long sticky tongue flickered out and wrapped itself around another soldier, immobilising him. A second later, a huge claw swiped down, disembowelling the victim.
    The huge arms descended and two more of the treasure seekers fell. Ribs crunched as the giant stood upon him, reduced flesh to jelly. The crossbowmen cranked the windlasses of their weapons, trying to draw the lines tight so they could fire again. Jonas knelt down and presented his holy symbol as he recited a prayer. Zamara shouted at his men, “Stand your ground!”
    The enormous creature lumbered forwards, reached out with a huge talon and dragged another squirming soldier to its mouth. Enormous jaws snapped shut. The man’s body flopped to the ground, blood spurting from the stump of his neck. The creature spat. The soldier’s crushed head arced down and rolled to Kormak’s feet. Eyes stared up at the Guardian in horror.
    Kormak leapt into the pit. His sword swept out, catching the monster behind the ankle. The limb flopped, hamstrung. Blackish blood poured forth. Relief surged through the Guardian. The creature was a living thing at least, not an animated statue.
    A massive paw swept downward. Displaced air rushed past Kormak’s head as he ducked. He rolled to one side and slashed upwards with his blade. Dwarf-forged steel clove the creature’s belly and sent entrails squirming forth.  
    The monster’s four legs enabled it to remain upright despite its crippled rear limb. It twisted to face Kormak and its long tongue flickered out. Kormak’s blade severed its tip. Black blood spurted into his face, hitting him in the eyes, blinding him.
    By instinct he threw himself backwards as a webbed foot crashed down where he had been. He wiped at his eyes, knowing these few seconds of blindness were most likely going to cost him his life.
    A war cry bellowed out from close by.   The cleaver sound of a blade biting flesh filled Kormak’s ears. When he had cleared his stinging eyes he saw Terves back-pedalling away from the monster, waving his blade, trying to hold its attention.
    Kormak