Ruein: Fires of Haraden: Action/Adventure Necromancy Series (Books of Ruein Book 2), G.O. Turner [little bear else holmelund minarik txt] 📗

“Deal is deal,” added the half-orc.

“Is she paying you well, Ceer?”

Twigs cleared his throat. “Better than our last contract.”

Ackeber stepped from the gnome and turned to a table. “Rather than fixating on our grievances, what say we move toward finding an accord? My lord and the Doctorate sincerely regret the actions taken. It is felt that our quest for deeper meanings of the body and an ever life…well…” She paused. “Conflict tends to get in our way.

“A few days ago, Karris City had an incident with one of our refinery clients. A total loss of the labor force that we provide. Such a loss worked in our favor. We were prepared with replacement subjects.” She raised the wood box to the table. “That said, an ongoing conflict could only be construed as detrimental.”

Ruein let out a cold laugh. “Oh, I don’t know. Some could find such actions as most fulfilling. Satisfying even.”

Ackeber huffed. “Alright, I admit we were wrong.”

Ruein rounded, staring hard.

Twigs and Ceer closed ranks with their patron.

As the lantern light flickered in Ackeber’s eyes, they rolled up to scan along the etched-mural ceiling. “We were wrong and want to make amends. I am here to offer a peace accord.”

Her hand settled upon the box. Dainty fingers tapped. “A recent request came our way from the Haraden Realm.”

Twigs shot upright.

Ceer’s eyes widened. His head careened back to Ackeber. “Haraden?”

“That’s right.” Ackeber nodded. “The Realm has been hit with a spate of murders. They seek a necromancer in order to unearth this killer.”

She withdrew a rolled parchment from the box’s side and handed it to Twigs. The wax seal was already cracked.

Twigs spooled it out. Holding his arms wide, he scanned for himself.

Ackeber continued, “It is quite an opportunity. Such a renowned realm having such a need. Haraden can offer many lasting benefits.”

“Not to mention good pay,” added Ceer.

Twigs strolled over to Ruein and offered the unfurled parchment.

Ruein hesitated. She eyed Ackeber. “Why?”

“Yes, we the Doctorate could easily resolve this and bolster our own reputation. However, I recommended to m’lord Nosaj that this would make the ideal offering between us. You could go in our place. Glean whatever you wish for yourself.” Her fingers tapped upon the box. “All that you need is here. Within is a useful bit. The invite will provide you passage. It could be a good start for Haraden. For us.”

Ruein gazed at the upheld parchment. The artistic scribe was indisputably from someone of talent, with the usual royal flourishes. The invite appeared legitimate. The offer was real.

Her decision was easy.

She turned her back. “Not interested.”

Parchment rustled as Twigs rerolled it. “Are you kidding?”

A deep-throated Ceer said, “If Rue not interested, Ceer interested.”

Ackeber scoffed. “I don’t think you understand the opportunity you’re passing. Haraden is one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the world. No one ever visits. One can only go there under invite. I’m not trying to negotiate with you. I am giving this to you.”

“No.” Ruein stared into the darkened forest.

Twigs stepped closer. “Rue, you can’t be serious. This is—”

The black flames roared through her mind. They seethed throughout her core as she spun on the gnome. Sheathing off illusions, she glared at them with dead, alabaster eyes. Deep fissures raked under her lids, over desiccated cheeks. Dire fear cascaded off her, bursting at those present.

“I am not Rue!”

Her unbeating heart steamed in the revelation. That foolish, naive necromancer was gone. All that was left of her now was an undying abomination, same as any she loathed.

I am Ruein.

Twigs stumbled, falling over himself and scrambling back to Ceer’s feet. The half-orc leapt between her and Ackeber.

While this was new to her friends, it was not for the Doctorate woman. Ackeber squeezed the half-orc’s arm as she leaned around him. “I am looking to end conflict, not seek it. As I said, this I give freely to you. You can decide for yourself.”

Ruein seethed. “Get…out.”

Gathering themselves up, Twigs and Ceer pressed Ackeber toward the open door. Transfixed, they dared not turn away.

Twigs stammered, “Y-you understand. Th-this was a job for us. We’d no idea.”

Reining in her aura, Ruein forced composure upon herself. Twigs was right. These two had been suckered in.

Once they withdrew to the limb’s platform, Ruein closed the door. She walked to the pulleys and looked out to the three-in-wait.

Ceer wrapped a muscular arm around the witch. He peered over the edge, a full eight yards above the ground. Ruein quietly scoffed. Was he actually considering the jump?

She worked the vines, lowering the platform.

Upon touching earth, Twigs and Ceer stepped off. Ackeber cast a look back up. The vines creaked from the tension. A wicked want of Ruein’s own leered back.

Her hand drifted to her dagger.

Twigs called, “We’d heard word of you and yours. The loss of your husband. That some blight had befallen…you. Anad tried to caution us away. We just had no idea how…bad.”

“Ceer sorry.” Low defeat graveled from the half-orc.

“Yes. We never wished ill of you.” Twigs nodded. “And still don’t.”

Ackeber stepped from the platform and was guided back to their covered wagon. After observing the boys loading her in, Ruein tamped down the black flames within. She turned from the rail and listened as they rolled off, back to the road.

Ruein contented herself with extinguishing the rest of the treeflet lanterns. The grey dark, more than the flet, was now her home.

She crossed to the central table. Ackeber had left the box, the rolled parchment alongside as well. As if anything were enticing about it. Ruein had two charges. They were all that mattered now.

Had the ruckus woken them?

With a check of the mirror, Ruein restored her healthful illusions. She softened her footfalls as she moved to their bedroom. The door soundlessly opened in enough for a peek.

Ruein caught the billow of a silhouette at her foot. A slow-rolling tuft of darkness meandered across the floorboards.

She swung the door wide.

Cold shunted through her body. That wasn’t possible. She was undead. The dead feel no cold. Ruein