Storm of Sharks Read Online Free Page A

finding few others he could depend upon for
frank and honest answers.
    ‘You’ve killed folk, both human
and therian. You did away with Vega, murdered Slotha to impress the Lion and left a
trail of bodies in your wake.’
    ‘I’d hardly call it a trail. A
few dead Skirmishers from Onyx’s lot, that’s all.’
    ‘But you ordered your Ugri into battle
against the Sturmlanders when you seized this city. You sent me and Ibal out into the
cold to kill in your name. If a man dies at your command, then his blood’s on your
hands as much as on the blade that did the deed.’
    When Hector thought about it that way, the
number he’d slain grew dramatically. The capture of Icegarden from the Sturmish
had been a swift and bloody affair.
    ‘Regardless, Vega had to die. He
betrayed Wergar years ago; it’s only natural he’d betray his friends again.
He couldn’t be trusted.’
    ‘By you, perhaps, but wasn’t he
loyal to Drew and the Wolf’s Council?’
    ‘You’re worse than my cursed
brother’s vile sometimes!’ Hector snarled. ‘Why the persistent
questions, Ringlin? Do you deliberately try to cast doubt in my mind?’
    The rogue raised his hands peaceably.
‘You asked me what I thought. If you mean to convince the Wolflord that your
actions were for the greater good, then there can be no doubts: you need to
believe
that yourself. Do you?’
    ‘Of course I do,’ blustered
Hector. ‘The Wolf’s Councilwas a shambles once we lost
Drew. Manfred turned his back on me, judging me before I’d even said my piece.
Bergan’s a spent force, a shadow of the Bearlord I once knew and respected, and if
the rumours are true his own city of Brackenholme was sacked by the Wyldermen.’ He
pointed back beyond the city walls. ‘Where are the proud men of the Woodland
Watch, coming to their liege’s aid as he huddles on the slopes of the Whitepeaks?
I see no army.’
    Ringlin nodded as Hector continued
ranting.
    ‘Should Drew return to me, he’ll
find I’ve procured an army, a force powerful enough to defeat our enemies from
Bast and drive the Catlords once and for all from Lyssia. He couldn’t do it with
the bickering Bears, Sharks and Stags. Between us, we can return the Seven Realms to
their former greatness! This would be a source of great happiness for all.’
    ‘And if he disagrees with your
methods?’
    Hector faltered, words failing him
momentarily. The wind whipped at the pair of them suddenly, howling as it raced past the
tower top, causing them to seize hold of one another until it died away.
    ‘It would not gladden me, Ringlin, if
Drew stood against me. But if he did?’ Hector cleared his throat, raising his
voice. ‘Then … then the Wolf shall not figure in the brave new Lyssia
that awaits us.’
    Ringlin smiled approvingly as Hector found
he’d surprised even himself.
    ‘There,’ said the rogue.
‘You’ve said it: a world without Drew Ferran, should it come to it.
Don’t you feel better, now the words are out?’
    The gurgling voice of the Vincent-vile briefly
materialized in Hector’s ear, gone again as quickly as a whisper on the wind. The
magister managed a smile as he set off down the stairwell, the lanky Boarguard close
behind.
If it were truly better to speak such a thing,
he thought, gripping the
rope handrail as he stepped down through the darkness,
then why do I feel sick in
the pit of my stomach?

3

Graced
    In ever decreasing circles, the avianthrope
descended into the war camp, drawing closer to the command tent. Wings clapped at the
air, alerting the elite Bastian guard below. The golden-skinned warriors looked up,
raising spear and aiming bow at the approaching Werelord. As the flying shape-shifter
neared the ground, fire and torchlight illuminated thick dark plumage, a great ruff of
white feathers rattling around the visitor’s disjointed neck. Powerful talons
snatched at the earth as the avian landed, and the Bastian soldiers relaxed their
weapons. The towering Werelord stepped