Read Wrath Of The Medusa (Book 2) for Free Online Page B

trap that is the one being closed.”
    “ Season is late, lady.  We wait, we not get another chance.”
    “One chance is all I need before the winter rains come.  We will trample our path into Medyrsalve before the winter Goddess feast, bridging the mud and snow with the corpses of Rugan’s force.”
    This promise drew a raucous table thumping cheer from the other chiefs and Dema gave a nod of satisfaction. “Now, go about your business.  Hold your positions, despite the tempting taunts of Rugan’s skirmishers.  I will send word of where we move and when, but be certain there will be blood and victory enough for all of you.”
    The chiefs both human and orcish filed out . Odestus gave a quick nod in Vesten’s direction and the secretary bowed low before following the captains out, leaving Dema and Odestus alone.  “A word if you would, dear Dema,” Odestus asked.  He waved towards a side door. “I have ordered a table set for dinner in the ante-chamber.”
    The M edusa’s mask shifted slightly as she raised a hidden eyebrow.  She flicked her hood up to calm her reptilian coiffure and replied, “I had thought, little wizard, that you were the guest and I the host.  Is this invitation a reproach for my unhospitable behaviour this last week?”
    “There are matters I would discuss with you, please,” he insisted deferentially. 
    “Our M aster’s business?”
    “That too.”
    Still she hesitated. “It has been a long day little wizard, I had in mind to retire early to my chambers.”
    Now it was Odestus’s turn to raise an eyebrow and hers to scowl at his doubt. Though he said nothing, she heard him well enough.  “Don’t begrudge me my pleasures, little wizard, they have been well earned.”
    He shrugged and held open the door to the ante-chamber.  “It is not my place to question how you employ your slave, but be wary not to turn him to stone again. I will not answer for his chances of a second complete restoration of health and vigour.” He paused. “He is completely restored?”
    Dema swept past him towards the adjoining chamber.  “This business of yours, little wizard, let us be about it and quickly so.” 
    He winced at her brusque manner and resolved to drop all allusion to the sensitive subject of her bed slave.  A simple square table was set for two; a servant hovered beside it bearing a carafe of wine.  The liquid surface shivered with his nerves.
    Odestus, shu t the door softly while the Medusa took her seat.  The neck of the carafe rattled against the glass as the servant poured, a few drops spilling onto the table.  “It is your favourite vintage, my dear.  I brought it with me from Undersalve,” the wizard assured her.  “I think you will find the meal precisely to your tastes.”
    “Are you tr ying to seduce me little wizard?” she goaded. 
    “No,” he sat down sulkily.  “But you are mocking me.”
    She shrugged.  “Then you shouldn’t radiate such obvious disapproval for the way I treat my slave, my property.  If you insist on being the pompous parent glowering disapproval then don’t be surprised if I play the petulant child.”
    Odestus waved the servant away with a command to bring the first dish.  “ I have never questioned you before in military matters…”
    “But you are about to do so now!”
    “Do you think it wise to allow the good Captain slave Kimbolt such freedom to roam the fortress to survey our force and our defences?”
    The M edusa sampled the wine, wrinkling her nose unhappily at the rich flavour. “There is no harm in Kimbolt,” she asserted.
    “ He is neither an oafish villager or a hardened outlander exile, Dema.  He was, he is, a Captain of the Guard from Sturmcairn.  Remember, it was one of his predecessors that escorted us into exile and certain death two decades ago. He is a soldier of the Salved Kingdom.”
    “ He is a soldier yes, as am I, but there is no Salved kingdom anymore.  Our Master’s writ runs in the