Глава 14

Hoederer's gonna try talking Ulšulah into helping for old time's sake at Scar Market. Ulšulah's gonna tell him to just get it over with, and Hoederer's gonna come back with a long face.

What's the wager?

That's it? I figured you'd be jealous with the two of them all alone in a room together.

...W.

Stop trying to read my shadow, Ines. I'm not in the mood.

The bunny and the Victorian have been gone for a while... wonder how things are going out there.

Bonesy is still playing dead, and Theresis's Catastrophe refuses to go away. Who knows, maybe Manfred's gonna just pop out of nowhere.

I could have blown Theresis up right then and there!

I know you're restless because of Theresa, but hold that fuse for a moment. We have a lot of prep work to do.

*Sarkaz swearing*! Who said I was—

We've got a problem, W...

Out with it.

It's time for a shift change, but not all our scouts came back.

Crane's team went off to the north side of the canyon, and we can't reach them.

Don't tell me they ran into a decent enemy caster.

When was your last communication?

Almost three hours ago.

If our enemy could make an entire merc squad disappear without a sound, they would've been on top of us by now.

The most important thing to do at the moment is keep the Lifebone safe.

We're just gonna sit here when we know something's going on outside?

I agree with Ines.

We know nothing about this place. The safest course of action is to concentrate our forces.

Cut the crap. My men are missing. I want to know why.

If they got lost, I'll bring them back. If somebody did them in, I'll return the favor.

Calm down! This could be a trap to split us up—

I don't like playing defense. Even if it's a trap, I'll just blast them out of hiding.

Give me half a day. If I don't come back, that means I'm up against a real nasty piece of work. Don't come after me, get your defenses ready.

If you get a call from Amiya, don't wait for me, just activate the Lifebone.

I'll take my own squad. No need to bother anyone else.

You lot. Grab your weapons and follow me.

Is this where they went?

Should be. This cave was all we saw when we went north into the canyon. We don't know what's inside.

Hidden passage? The court's secret cache?

If this was a secret base of the Royal Court, we'd have had a couple hundred Vampires and Nachzehrers on our asses the moment we fell in here.

Based on Closure's intel, we're in the hills to the west of Londinium, a good distance from the main battlefield where those old farts are.

Somehow, though, I smell... (sniffs)

The old, moldy stench from someone who's been here for ages.

I don't like old stuff, but I'm sure Hoederer would love it.

Let me guess. What enemy did our lucky winners run into?

W, when did you use your bombs?

You delusional? Did you see me use them on our way here?

Then what are these burn marks on the wall?

Huh...?

Strange. No sign of Arts, but how do you leave marks like these on stone, then?

Did you hear that?!

What is it this time?

It's the sound of someone striking iron... there's somebody here!

You're just hearing things.

Stop spooking yourself. Nobody's here.

Do we keep going, W? I have a bad feeling about this.

Of course. Why do you think we're here?

That's top-grade gear you all are using. I'm not rich enough to just let them rot in some cave.

Have you heard the Sarkaz legend... before Qui'lon was even born, the Sarkaz and a red dragon—

Shut up.

One historian in Hoederer is enough. Say anymore, and I'll throw you to the front—

What is it?

Blood... but not Sarkaz.

It's fresh—

Get ready to fight!

*Roar*—!

(Strange howl)

Our weapons don't work! This thing just won't die!

Aim for its head! We'll see how many hits it can take!

It's too fast! We can't hit it!

Draw its attention! I'll try to hit it from behind!

The mercenary attempts to go around the monster, but one swing of its tail sends him slamming into a rock wall.

None of the attacks seem to have caused any real damage. It flaps its wings, and scorching winds engulf the cave, making the air even thinner.

The ground quakes, and spikes erupt from under the earth, hurtling towards everyone.

Shut up...

I said shut it, you short-legged moth!

(Song-like cry)

The monster immediately locks onto where the damage came from, surprisingly agile for its size.

In the brief time it takes W to reload, the monster has already closed the distance, its fangs nearly grazing her face.

I don't know how you got that ugly mug...

But you'll need a bigger one to eat me!

Chew on this instead, sucker!

*pant*... *pant*...

Is it... dead?

Hard to live with a big hole in its face, eh?

A-Are you okay?

I've always been good at blast control.

I got a theory, W.

There might just be a lost Sarkaz Court called bomb fiend or something, and you're its last princess.

Ha-ha. Very funny.

But what the hell is this? Doesn't look like any animal I've ever seen.

I heard that some of those Columbian crazies sew parts of different animals together. Maybe this is their doing?

Unfortunately, I know a bunch of Sarkaz crazies who do the same thing.

(Under her breath) It reeks of witchcraft. Confessarius monsters? Why out here in the middle of nowhere?

Them being here is no coincidence. There must be something else in the cave.

Did... did this thing eat our guys?

The only way to find out is to cut it open.

We're sure it's dead, right?

Damn, this thing had friends?

They've blocked the entrance! What do we do?

Run!

Forty-eight hours into the operation...

What time is it?

Would it mean anything to you?

Call it a professional habit. I feel better when I know what time it is.

6 PM. Two days since we crashed into the canyon.