Chapter Thirty-Nine
Galladrin slowly put his fingers to his jaw, and carefully felt along his cheek for fractures. Standing above him, Coragan smiled then extended his hand. The rogue accepted the proffered aid and scrambled to his feet.
“You didn’t see which way he went, did you?” Coragan asked.
“Sorry, I was eating dirt at the time.”
The guardsman, Anduri, stepped forward. “I did. He went down that hall.” His extended finger pointed to a small archway where an old wooden door hung open on its hinges.
Galladrin shook his head. “Every time I see that bastard, it seems like he’s moving faster. We heard that explosion up there, and started up the stairs to investigate. Next thing we knew, Lucian came hurtling down and bowled us both over.”
Anduri pointed to a twisted corner of his metal shield. “He dented this with his fist! I’m glad he didn’t stick around to do the same to my skull.”
“Yeah, well, now we have to find him.” Coragan lifted his crossbow for emphasis. “Then we have to bring him in.” It would be a little cramped using the missile weapon in these narrow halls, but it was nothing the bounty hunter couldn’t manage. Grimly, he loaded a silver-tipped quarrel.
The guild master had been standing beside them listening to the conversation; at last, he spoke. “Remember, you must drive or lure him to the Chamber of Making. Don’t rush it. It will take us about fifteen minutes to prepare.”
Galladrin rubbed his stinging wrist. In the commotion with the vampire, he had tumbled down the stairs and landed awkwardly on his arm. “Ambrisia should be at the front gate with most of the other wizards. The town is marching down on us.”
Regecon raised both eyebrows. “The town is marching on us?”
“Yeah, they seem a little ticked off about something. They’re chanting ‘Down with the guild’ as they go,” Coragan added.
“That’s just wonderful,” the mage said, then turned to go. “Remember, fifteen minutes, then into the Chamber of Making. We will be waiting. Anduri, go with them. I will find Ambrisia.” Several moments later, the guild master disappeared into the far passage.
Galladrin turned to the guardsman at his side and grinned. “Care to hunt a vampire with us?”
Anduri frowned sourly, then motioned for the rogue to lead. Together, the three men headed toward the door. Anduri held a torch, Coragan his crossbow, and Galladrin his rapier.
Drasmyr (Prequel: From the Ashes of Ruin) Page 77