Ruein: Fires of Haraden: Action/Adventure Necromancy Series (Books of Ruein Book 2) G.O. Turner (top 20 books to read .TXT) 📖

them. The close pungency was a stifling contrast to the baths of the night before. Liv’s nose crinkled as she covered both that and mouth.

Grabbing the uppermost flower, Og effortlessly pulled.

Shifting granules cascaded as the full length of the burlap withdrew. The easily mistaken flowers turned out to be the bundled ends of a wrap. More than two yards of a lumpy bag was drug out and down the slope to their feet.

Og lumbered back.

Tull snapped the bag’s strap with a dagger, then pulled back the burlap husk to expose the body within.

Blonde locks draped over desiccated eyes. His lips receded to a full set of teeth. The body was human, though the flesh was surprisingly whole. A childhood spent within a mortuary had taught Ruein, this one was no more than two weeks dead.

Tull flinched at the remains, gutting the sack with his dagger further. He tore the burlap open. “The Apex demands a farmer, I said.”

Og’s disfigured head loomed over. “Sorry. Luck of draw.”

Ruein rested her glaive pommel and knelt beside the corpse. She tugged at the remnants of his jerkin, flaking off black pebbles onto his lower extremities. Were these remains dragged through a lava flow? What remained of his legs were cindered bits well beyond recognition, however Ruein had no use for that half. Yanking at the material of his collar, Ruein spotted an embroidered stitch. This was no farmer.

She flashed Liv a look. “This clothing… This one came from Deepwater.”

Liv glowered. “So, what? He’s one of the marauders?”

A shift of salt grains and a thud later, Og produced another burlap wrap. The dark-orc cut into the fabric. The ripping of twine and rending by his hands exposed the mutilated remnants of another.

This once-human’s clothes were more on the common side. Yet, his skull lay halved as if a melon burst upon the curb. Tull grunted and righted himself. Thrusting a dark finger at the remains, he barked, “Farmer.”

Liv waved at the blonde corpse. “Why wasn’t this marauder spitted out before the city walls like the others?”

Tull shrugged, his indifference plain for all. Liv held her glare. In response, Tull looked to Og and translated her question.

Fingering the folds of his chin, Og’s small head wobbled. Ruein shared his response in common. “The ogre doesn’t know. Thinks he was lost in the shuffle.”

Tull reared over Ruein. “You have your farmer. Now the Apex gets their answers.”

Fair enough. This is why I’m here.

Ruein slipped her hand beneath her silken adornments, feeling the suede of her component pouch inside. Focusing upon the draconic she knew so well, Ruein slid into her incantation.

Signaling his friend, Twigs climbed upon Ceer’s shoulder. They backed away, giving Ruein room. The gnome motioned for Liv. “Well, I’m aware Ceer here doesn’t speak their under-tongue. And since your sister is preoccupied, any chance you can talk their story?”

Liv shook her head. “Rue was our only underdark speaker.”

Twigs scratch at his neck. “Well, somebody should point out to these Haraden-of-hearing folk that they’re shoving bodies into the same stuff they season their food with. Remind me not to ask for salt at the supper table.”

Tull pommeled his halberd, twisting it as they waited.

Aware of her being observed, Ruein had little difficulty maintaining her focus upon the split head of the farmer. Revulsion filled her as the timeless black seeped through her gut. It was not unlike a drunkard’s regret at that poisonous first taste.

Draconic resonated into her arms. At the crescendo of her spell, Ruein extended an arm and then tapped. The marauder’s charred torso stirred.

“Iblith,” Tull spat.

There was a cracking of dried skin as eyelids twitched. Neck vertebra popped as the head turn to the caster. Clouded, alabaster eyes stared into hers. Its split lips quivered, rasping out from its hollow throat, “Waah…”

A blunt hit knocked Ruein’s shoulder, jostling her. “That not farmer,” Tull said. “You’re supposed to get answers from farmer!” His chest heaved, a furor building in his shoulders.

The corpse beneath rasped louder, “Whaaa…t…”

Ruein damn well knew her role. However, she’d had enough of this one. Reaching within, she called upon her memory of fear. She harvested that dire nature, flinging it outward as she rose up next to their guide. Her eyes flashed arcane dread. “The council will have their answers. But it will be my call to give them.”

Stumbling back a step, Tull registered the look Ruein desired. She’d not gained his respect, but this would suffice.

Liv tugged at Ruein’s sleeve. The Lightbringer gestured back at the struggling corpse.

Ruein glowered at him. “You were one of the marauders that seized control of the Haraden caravan. You journeyed all this way. For what?”

The head struggled, furthering its rasp “Waat…er…”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Liv reached behind, pulling her goatskin bota from her vestments. “The damn thing is asking for water. Look at it!”

Ruein’s brow twitched at Liv. That was odd. Oh, not at Ruein’s own half-measured corpse-raising, of course, but at her Lightbringer sister. There was Liv’s usual repugnance, yet what was this further reticence?

Ruein blocked her sister, then asked the corpse, “Why did you come all this way? What were you after?” She clutched at Liv’s bota. “Give me something, and I will give unto you.”

“…gold…”

Ceer and Twigs responded, “Gold?”

“Ten…thousand…each. Sword…for…hire.” The head began to waver. Its neck strained. “Not…marauder.”

Liv gave Ruein an eyeroll. “That much gold. That would do it.”

“That’s a good start.” Tugging the cork, Ruein tipped the waterskin over the desiccated corpse. She upended the nozzle, pouring out a stream. It splashed upon the mercenary’s gullet, half down his throat and the rest dowsing his dried exterior. The necromanced head convulsed as its parched skin soaked up what it could.

The corpse settled back into the burlap bedding. His freshly moistened eyes strained less. “Thank you.”

Ruein took a knee. “Mercenary, you can see that I can make offers…or I can simply end you. In this instance, I offer you a chance for your death to have some meaning. Will you share what you know?”

A single nod.

“You were offered gold.”

“Thousand