Shadow Seed Read Online Free Page B

it’s
usually at nighttime.”
    A loud squawk in the distance could be heard
as two Khothu on wyverns flew through an opening in the city’s
wall, and landed in a wide-open area surrounded by shops.
    Janah watched as the Khothu set their store
up. “I wonder what they’re selling this time.”
    “Probably the usual,” Nedim said. “Overpriced
items you’ve never heard of that you’ll never need…like those
things that float around.”
    Janah clasped her hands. “Oh, I love
those!”
    Nearby was a corral with several kalecs, a
desert creature similar to a two-humped camel, but with a broader
head and longer hair.
    Janah took Nedim’s canteen. “You get the
rides. I’ll be right back,” she said, running off to an oasis.
    There were lots of people at the corral. It
took Nedim a minute before he found the rancher. “Excuse me. Do you
loan these out?”
    The rancher held two fingers up. “Yes, two
silver coins.”
    At the oasis, Janah filled both canteens with
water before running back.
    “Go easy on this one,” Nedim said, passing
the reins of a kalec to Janah.
    It was a relaxing ride as they strolled
through the almost empty streets. People walking on foot mostly
used the upper tiers to get where they were going.
    The Palace was located at the center of
Siriso. It had a step design with outside gardens on every level.
None of the tiers connected with it, only a few surrounding support
beams for the ceiling of the city.
    Nedim and Janah dismounted from their kalecs
and found an Anubian woman and a Persian male talking in a garden
on one of the lower steps. Like most Anubians, the woman was tall
and slender, dressed in wrappings of cloth and gold jewelry.
    Janah hardly looked at them as she sat on a
bench. “Hello, Amarna, Sayar.”
    Amarna bowed. “Welcome back.”
    The Persian, Sayar, resembled a half-human
half-lion. He stared disappointedly at Janah.
    “Greetings,” Nedim said, bowing. “We heard of
the Vesuvian emissaries. I can assume you know what happened.”
    “Yes,” Sayar said suddenly. “You should have
told us about it before accepting the quest. We must be careful
when dealing with the other races.”
    Janah smiled. “We didn't accept anything. We
volunteered.”
    “You've got a smart mouth,” Sayar
snickered.
    “It was I who volunteered us,” Nedim said,
“I'm sure we can all agree that considering we-”
    “It was necessary,” Amarna interrupted. “Time
is another factor to consider, a luxury we don’t have.”
    “Everyone has to gather their forces,” Sayar
said. “And it may take a few days. Tomorrow we'll submit our battle
plans to the others so we can coordinate our attacks. Both of you
are to continue your current task.”
    Janah threw her hands out. “But we're
done!”
    “You're done when I say you're done!” Sayar
snarled.
    Amarna handed a letter to Nedim. “The
Vesuvians have also informed us that Pelasgians have been sighted
in Rhea.”
    “What?” Janah said in disbelief. “Why would
they come back to Rhea?”
    Sayar crouched down in front of Janah. “Your
guess is as good as any. Maybe it’s me, but you sound scared.”
    Feeling slighted, Janah said nothing as she
stood and walked away.
    “Have they abandoned their invasion of the
Netherworld?” Nedim asked.
    “Maybe,” Amarna answered. “Our scouts there
have reported that the Pelasgians are gathering, either to leave,
or attack their last city.”
    “Their last city,” Nedim said bleakly. “What
about the humans?”
    Amarna shook her head. “The letter states it
was near their cities the Pelasgians were seen. New Haven may be
able to withstand the assault, but I fear the other two don't stand
a chance.”
     
     
     

CHAPTER SIX
     
    Under an increasingly cloudy sky, Arthur
hacked away at some branches as he pushed his way through a dense
section of the forest. Thomas, Richard, Jacob and William followed
in-line behind him.
    When they came to a small stream, Arthur
crouched down, paying close