Frostborn: The World Gate by Jonathan Moeller Read Free Book Online

creatures charged, they became more wolf-like, their fur and muscles thickening, their claws and fangs growing longer, their faces twisting and growing more wolfish. 
    Antenora leveled her staff, its symbols flaring brighter as she focused her will towards the beastmen.
    “No!” said Calliande. “Do not strike! I do not think they mean us ill.”
    “What are they?” said Antenora. 
    “Beastmen,” said Calliande. “Half-wolf, half-man. They have rational intellects, but are dominated by their bestial instincts. They shun tools and civilization and live in the wilds. The men of Andomhaim call them the lupivirii, but they call themselves the True People.” 
    Ridmark shouted something, and Kharlacht and Gavin and the others hung back as the lupivirii charged into the arachar. The arachar had faced Ridmark’s skill and the Swordbearers’ power, and the lupivirii were the final straw. The orcish warriors broke and fled back into the forest, the remaining three spiderlings following suit, and groups of the lupivirii pursued them. 
    “What should we do now?” said Antenora. “These beastmen may turn upon us once they have dealt with the orcs.”
    “No,” murmured Calliande, frowning as she watched the lupivirii. “No, I do not think so.”
    “Why not?” said Antenora. 
    “Because,” said Calliande. “I’ve met them before.” 
     
    ###
     
    Ridmark watched as the arachar fled, hounded by the charging lupivirii. Even as he looked, two of the lupivirii leapt upon the backs of fleeing arachar orcs, driving them to the ground. 
    “What are those things?” said Jager, his eyes wide. 
    “Lupivirii,” said Ridmark.
    “I thought they were a myth,” said Jager.
    “They’re not,” said Ridmark.
    “I’ve encountered them before,” said Mara in a quiet voice. Ridmark hadn’t noticed that she had come up next to them. “When I fled from Nightmane Forest.”
    “As have I,” said Morigna, her fingers tight against her staff’s carved length. “They are very dangerous.”
    “I see,” said Jager. “Will they try to…um, eat us?”
    “No,” said Ridmark. “They don’t eat other mortal kindreds. They’re not particularly fond of us, and they view the use of tools and weapons as a corruption, a kind of weakness. But they won’t eat us.” 
    He looked to where Calliande stood with Antenora, and then back to the lupivirii pack. 
    An idea came to him. 
    “Wait here,” said Ridmark. “I need to talk to the lupivirii.” 
    “Is that a good idea?” said Arandar, Heartwarden shimmering in his hand. As ever, the presence of Heartwarden sent a wave of pain through Ridmark’s head, a legacy of his broken link with the soulblade. “The lupivirii are savage and dangerous.”
    “Extremely,” said Ridmark. “But I’ve done this before.”
    Gavin frowned. “Then you think…”
    “I do,” said Ridmark.
    “Then you are…acquainted with these particular beastmen?” said Jager. 
    “I am,” said Ridmark. “Caius, tell him the story. Wait here, and do not join me until I say.”
    “Will you need help?” said Gavin.
    “If I do,” said Ridmark, “you’ll know it.” 
    If he did need help, the lupivirii would likely tear him to pieces before Gavin or Morigna could lift a finger to help him. 
    But Ridmark did not think that would happen. 
    He strode forward, walking past the dead arachar, letting the end of his staff tap against the ground. A half-dozen lupivirii turned their heads to look at him, their unblinking golden eyes glaring. The sensation made his skin crawl, made him want to find shelter, but he did not look at them. The lupivirii were predators, and it was folly to show weakness to a predator. 
    One of the lupivirii moved towards Ridmark. The creature stood nine feet tall, scars showing on his pale hide beneath the bristly black fur. His form rippled and changed as he looked at Ridmark, his features becoming less bestial and more human. 
    Ridmark met the lupivir’s eyes