Belly of the Beast Warren Thomas (e novels for free .txt) 📖

            King Borric and Queen Isobeth crossed the drawbridge surrounded by priests and courtiers. Indeed, the drawbridge completely filled up with people by the time the royal couple reached the plaza. And then King Borric stopped, looked around, and smiled.

            Tane thought the middle-aged king looked just as gaunt and starved as his subjects. His dark eyes had that same haunted look everyone now had. Well, not the Queen. She was quite young and beautiful. And well-fed. Yet, her blue eyes showed the hell she endured. Tane suspected one of Dakar’s priests took her as a lover, whether she wanted it or not.

            “Citizens of Kestsax, this is a joyous day for one and all,” King Borric shouted, his deep rich voice carrying to every corner of the suddenly hushed plaza. “The Beast is vanquished! Killed by the hand of one of our own: Tane Kyleson of Bracklin!”

            The people cheered, jumping up and down, some dancing. The king held up his hands for quiet. They settled down after a few minutes.

            “Today we will feast on the food the Dakarian priests hoarded for themselves,” he said with a sneer. A low growl came from the crowd. “Today we celebrate our victory, our freedom, and our very lives!”

            Again, the citizens of Kestsax exploded with cheers, laughter, and pure joy. Tane, Jessy, and Raven celebrated with them, faces wet with tears. Indeed, there were few dry faces to be seen.

            “And to make this day even better, the Heroes of the Land are here with us! Bring them forth, so we may honor them!”

            The people cheered, all turning toward Tane, Jessy, and Raven. A wide path opened up between them and King Borric. Tane in the middle, Jessy to his left, Raven to his right, the three of them started walking.

            While Raven walked with her head high, a smile on her face, Tane and Jessy stared at the crowd. He’d never seen anything like that. Never dreamed he’d ever be beloved like that. They were the peoples’ heroes.

            Not as heroic as they think, he thought, remembering how terrified and miserable he’d been most of the time.

            They stopped before King Borric. Queen Isobeth stood to his left rear, a smile on her face as she nodded. He noticed her eyes full of as yet unshed tears. Even the king looked teary-eyed.

            “These three heroes, and their three fallen comrades, have our eternal gratitude,” King Borric said. “They saved us all from a miserable fate beyond description.”

            “Three sacrificed everything, Your Majesty,” Tane said. “I ask that a monument be raised to honor them. Quinn. Joelle. Armin. Our friends forever.”

            “So it shall be done,” King Borric declared. “As well as honor you, Tane Kyleson. Jessy Calvandatter, and…” He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Is Raven your real name, or a nickname?”

            “My real name is Emeraude Johandatter, but I prefer Raven.”

            “Emeraude Johandatter!” King Borric continued. “Commonly known as Raven.”

            “Good enough,” she whispered.

            Queen Isobeth stepped forward, handing the king a gold medal on a bright blue satin ribbon. Tane’s eyes widened as the king turned and smiled at him.

            “Tane Kyleson, you honored us all with your service and sacrifice,” King Borric said as he slipped the medal over Tane’s head. “Once the royal treasury is solvent, we will thank you a little more substantially.”

            Tane’s head spun out of control. It had never occurred to him that the king himself would give him such an honor. The medal had the look and weight of pure gold. His reaction surprised him as well. He never thought such a thing would make his head spin like that. By the time he regained control of his wits, King Borric had already given Raven and Jessy medals.

            They turned to face the crowd, tears flowing down Tane’s face. Everyone was cheering, looking so happy. Raven palmed the medal, before lifting it up and biting it. She nodded, looking satisfied. He just shook his head and grinned.

            “Will you come back to Bracklin with us?” he asked Raven.

            “No. I have to go check on my friends and family,” she said. “Up north. So after getting drunk tonight, ending up in bed with the wrong man, I’ll take the first ship out tomorrow.”

            “I want to be her when I grow up,” Jessy whispered.

            “Please don’t,” he said.

            “Hey, I’m right here,” Raven said, grinning. “I can hear you.”

            Before Tane could reply, the king addressed them again.

            “There is more, young man,” King Borric said. He indicated five priests, each of a different Arisen God.

            Kamain’s priest spoke first. “We thought you’d like to know, the Beast died from the wound you inflicted to His heart. Since he died before Quinn, your friend’s soul was released to return to his goddess.”

            Raven actual gasped out a sob, dropping her face into her hands. Tane felt such a weight lifted.

            “What about Joelle and Armin?”

            A priest of Maag nodded. “Their souls were released to Maag. So they are safe with the Goddess.”

            Tane thought his knees would give out. He hugged Raven tightly, and they cried together.

            “Thank you,” he said.

            “One other thing…” Queen Isobeth said, pulling Tane’s eyes toward her. “Last, but definitely not…”

            “Momma!” Jessy screamed, and took off running past the king and queen.

            Tane’s breath caught when he spotted his uncle and aunt, two of their other children behind them. His heart skipped a beat. Where were the other children? And then he spotted his mother.

            “Mother!”

            His father stepped out beside her as Tane raced to them. Joseph, Kandy, and Oscar stood with them, all smiling with those haunted eyes. They hugged and cried.

            “Thank Kamain you all stayed together.”

            “We didn’t, but we all survived,” his father said. “Joseph and Kandy stayed together, and your mother hung onto Oscar despite the trance.”

            “Mother’s instincts,” she said.

            Everyone was guided to seats at the High Table.