The Marenon Chronicles Collection - By Jason D. Morrow Page 0,316

wasn’t as fair as previously thought, Hroth told Julian. Part of your army is unseen, just below the surface of our Pyramid. He turned to Julian. Somehow you got the Anwyns to come after us as well.

There was no hiding the anger on Julian’s face. How could he have been so foolish? It was impossible to hide any thought from Hroth. He should have known better.

It seems that having you here has proven useful already. You have been just as valuable without being possessed. If you will excuse me, I must tell Marcus to move the Pyramid and be ready for an attack from underground. He turned back to the window and stood in silence.

Julian was left standing there like a fool. He had not imagined that Hroth would have been able to break through so easily, but there he was, stealing the very knowledge that had been hidden from the Stühocs. It seemed as though every attempt Julian made to help in the cause against the Stühocs came back to bite him and those he was trying to help.

I have no more use for you today, Hroth told him. He looked at Julian then the guards, and they grabbed Julian to take him away.

“Let me stay!” Julian called out. “I can help you!”

We both know you aren’t here to help me. Don’t be a fool.

The door slammed shut behind them as Gilrod led Julian and the two Leapers down the spiraling stairs.

They walked through the same hallway as before and Julian could see the cell that would hold him for a very long time if he didn’t do something now.

Julian was no master of magic by any means, but he had found it useful on occasion. It would probably take more of his energy than he wanted, but it was now or never. He stopped in his tracks and the two Leapers snarled in anger. With deep concentration, Julian closed his eyes and sent out bolts of electricity from his hands, frying the Stühocs in front of him.

Gilrod fell to the ground immediately, but the Leapers stood and reared back in pain. Julian reached for the arm of one and shoved its long claws into the neck of the other. He then crossed over to Gilrod and yanked the sword from his belt.

He quickly stabbed the other Leaper through the heart repeatedly until he could sense no more life. He looked at Gilrod on the ground and could see the Stühoc still breathing.

This was war.

Julian stood over him, gripping the sword tightly. Gilrod opened his eyes to see the angered Human king.

“The Stühoc reign of terror ends today,” Julian said.

“Human filth,” was the last thing Gilrod spoke before Julian sent the jagged blade through his throat.

Julian marched past the dead bodies to the window-filled hallway.

He stopped and looked out over Mudavé. The Erellens and Humans were ready, lined up for the charge. He glanced to his right and could see the Pyramid moving away from the city center. The Stühocs now knew about the plan for the Anwyns to attack from underground. But that was all they would know.

Julian turned to go up the spiral stairs but stopped in his tracks when he heard the terrible screeches from the other side of the fortress. Hroth must have sensed danger, and called for more Leapers to come after Julian. He gripped the sword tightly, anticipating a long fight ahead of him.

He smiled. If Hroth was calling more Leapers, that meant he was scared.

As he should be, Julian thought.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Each of them had a job to do, but none of them knew exactly how it would play out. Silas sat high on a white horse that had been given to him by Jiaros.

“It is a royal steed,” Jiaros had told him. “I would be honored if you rode him into battle with us.”

Silas had accepted it with humble gratitude. Kaden later told him that such a gesture shouldn’t be taken lightly. It meant that the Erellens were behind their Meshulan without reservation.

Personally, Silas preferred to ride Skarret, but he feared the sarians wouldn’t stay in flight for long, as they were easy targets for Stühoc archers. But they would be near if needed.

Silas watched the lines of soldiers form as they stood in perfect view of Mudavé, while remaining at a safe distance. Darius commanded the Dunarians, which formed at the center of the giant force. Dink and Emma had pushed their way to the front of the line, more eager