Read BlackThorn's Doom for Free Online

moments the rocks cracked and groaned, glowing a dull orange as they heated from within. The heat they cast set the party into motion. The men gathered about the rocks their cloaks steaming as the life giving warmth infused them.
    The Mahjie sat in awe, they knew Marcos was one of the legendary old ones and now he had just proved himself in one small act of power.
    “We are too close to Sur’kar’s seat of power for such a thing to go unnoticed.” Suni said disapproving of Marcos’s actions. “Could he not have sensed this?” He indicated the glowing stones with a wave of his hand.
    “Perhaps,” Marcos answered. “More than likely not, I used the storms enchantment to conceal my actions. If he felt anything it would have been hidden beneath his own power.”
    “Yet there is a chance that we have been discovered.” Suni responded. “We must hasten away from this place lest his servants come upon us.”
    “We will,” Marcos assured him. “Once the danger of freezing to death has passed. His servants will have to face the same life stealing cold should they come down from the mountains now.”
    Two hours they spent huddled about the rocks. The stiffness in their limbs eased and their clothes soon were dry and warm. When the stones heat died away they readied their gear and set off directly for the Vurgwall’s foothills.
    Throughout the remainder of the day they marched and well into the night across the barren ground and into the rugged foothills until they could go no further. They made camp within a shallow dale, a mere five miles from the shadowy heights of the Vurgwall.
    “Be cautious as you move about.” Yoladt warned. “There are many eyes within those crags, and none of them are friendly.”
    Following a short rest they pressed onward. The hills becoming larger and more rugged, until they were little more than broken piles of dark sharp edged boulders riddled with openings.
    They followed Yoladt higher into the hills until he seemed to become unsure of his way. They took shelter in a small cave while the Mahjie went in search of a trail marker, a signpost that would lead them to a concealed route through the mountains.
    Calriss and Yoladt looked southward while the twins took to their search to the north.
    Hours passed and Suni motioned that someone was approaching. Yoladt and Calriss moved out of the shadows silently. With a nod in greeting to Suni they moved into the cave.
    “We have come too far south.” Yoladt informed them taking a sip of his nearly empty water skin. “Calriss and I can not find the marker that we seek. It must lie to the north.”
    “Can you be sure?” Connell asked. “It may lie further south than where you searched.”
    “The marker lies between these two peaks.” Yoladt said pointing to the right and left of them. “Our search needed to go no further, the twins shall find it.”
    Several more hours passed and Yoladt begins pacing about the cave mouth, concern written upon his face. “Enough time has passed for them to search the whole area twice over.” He said giving voice to his concerns.
    Calriss approached Yoladt. “They are gifted trackers.” He said. “If all was well they would have returned by now.”
    Yoladt nodded in agreement. “We are of their Seh’ja and must seek them out.” He said turning to the others. “The bonds of blood are powerful among my people.”
    Suni who was standing a short distance away raised his hand for silence. He stood immobile gazing to the northwest for several long moments, his head cocked to one side as if intently listening for something.
    “Well?” Casius whispered when Suni turned to face them.
    “I heard something moving off in the distance.” Suni answered softly. “It sounded heavy and yet moved with great skill.”
    “We should leave then.” Casius suggested.
    “And go where?” Connell asked. “Moving about blindly could easily land us within an ambush. We are safer here, let them come to