King's Folly (Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

ahead,” Oenghus called over the storm. As if summoned, a jagged streak slashed the sky, highlighting a distant rock face through the trees.
    “If there is a cave, then there will be Reapers,” said Lucas.
    “I’ll deal with them.” Oenghus hoisted shield and hammer. He glanced at Isiilde and hesitated. Marsais was in no state to protect the nymph. “Guard her, Captain.”
    “Upon my honor,” Acacia reassured. Oenghus locked eyes with her, and finally nodded. He turned towards the cliff and trotted into the night.
    Acacia drew Isiilde beside a massive tree. Its branches were broad and its feather-like needles thick. Lucas and Rivan hoisted Marsais upright, helping him under the shelter.
    “Isiilde,” Marsais rasped.
    She knelt at his side, feeling helpless. The last time Oenghus had tried to teach her to heal with the Gift, she had burnt every single pigeon in the catch to ash. But even if she could heal, Marsais’ body would demand a price, and they would be forced to carry the tall man up the mountain.
    The nymph looked down at him, eyes wide in the dark. “Come here, my dear.” His words were lost in the wind, but she came. At the very least, she could offer him warmth. She buried her face against his neck, reassured by the rise and fall of his chest.
    The three paladins waited, swords at the ready, shields prepared, squinting through sheets of rain for danger.
    “What did you mean, Captain, when you said the man was something more than a Forsaken?” Rivan did not take his eyes from the shadows shifting between branches.
    “We’ll discuss it later.”
    Isiilde wondered who the man had been, which Wise One had entered the Gateway on their heels and sacrificed himself for Tharios. In the chaos of battle and shadows, she had not seen the traitor’s face. When Isek Beirnuckle had betrayed them all to Tharios in the Great Hall, there had been ten cowled Wise Ones beside N’Jalss, Eiji, and Tharios. Two had revealed themselves: Shimei Al’eeth, the haughty Kilnish lord who had gleefully crushed Marsais’ hands with a mace, and Zander whom she had burnt to a crisp. But what of the others who had stayed behind to guard intersections in the twisting dungeon, and all the soldiers? How many Wise Ones and Isle Guards were loyal to Tharios?
    Somewhere above, a roar shredded the wind. The ground trembled, and the sound of cracking branches filled the night. Thunder cracked the sky, and lightning sundered it.
    “Something is wrong. He shouldn’t have gone alone.”
    “Steady, Lucas,” Acacia warned. “Oenghus is a Nuthaanian Berserker. It’d take more than a handful of Reapers to bring him down.”
    “And if it’s more?”
    “Then we best ready ourselves.”
    “To run,” Marsais finished, letting his head fall against the bark. He closed his eyes, and he did not move.
    “Marsais.” Isiilde gripped his collar as if she feared he would vanish.
    “I’m fine,” he murmured.
    Movement in the trees and a crash of limbs alerted the group to company. The paladins braced themselves. A large shadow emerged from the trees. Oenghus stomped into view, baring his teeth at the paladins. “There’s a recently abandoned cave awaiting. On your feet, Scarecrow.”
    “Reapers?” asked Acacia.
    “An ill-tempered cave bear. I’ll carry you again, Sprite.”
    “But Marsais—”
    “The captain will carry him on her back if need be. Up you go.”
    Isiilde wrapped shaking arms around his neck, clinging to her guardian with all her strength. He readjusted his kilt, covering her as he had done before.
    “Not likely.” Acacia nodded to Lucas and Rivan, who hoisted Marsais to his feet, draping his long arms over their shoulders. Together, they dragged the lanky Wise One after their guide.
    The cliff face sharpened as they neared. A granite wall rose over the canopy, crowning the mountain slope, its surface marred by cracks and crevices. Water streamed down the face, slicking the rock.
    Oenghus skirted the base, until