Terror At The Temple (Book 3) by Craig Halloran Read Free Book Online Page B

“Dangerous. Something very strange about that fellow.”
    I’d sensed it, too. Something behind the man’s eyes was raw, primeval.
    The men jerked in their cages as the barn door slid open. Renny and Brock stepped inside, along with some of the other enforcers.
    “Cover them cages,” Renny said.
    “What if they scream?” Harvey said.
    “Oh yes, we can’t have that, can we? Alright, gag these two, but the demon over there, he’ll need more of the poison. Shoot him up, Brock!”
    I could barely move already when Brock came, a sharp stick in one hand, a vial of Uken poison in the other. He dipped the stick in the ointment, laughing.
    “Be still, Freak! Else I’ll poke it in your eye.”
    I remained still. He stabbed through the bars. I tried to dodge, but caught the full force in my Dragon arm.
    “Did you stick him good?” Renny said.
    “Real good.”
    I didn’t hear anything else after that as my imprisoned world faded away.

 
    CHAPTER 12
     
     
    The wagon lurched to a stop, and I awoke. It was still dark, but I knew I was outside because the breeze brustled the cover over my cage. Depressed and sick, I had a good idea how my brethren Dragons felt. I had to escape, but I needed help.
    “Almost time.”
    It was Renny, the leader of the Enforcers. Footsteps were all around, and I could also hear footsteps going up and down.
    “Take the covers off. The Jackal will be here any moment, with company. Look sharp! Especially you, Osclar!”
    Where was I? I felt the bump on my arm where Brock had jabbed me. It wasn’t as bad as the one on my neck. I think the Dragon scales had something to do with that. It had been more of a reflex than anything else when I made him hit my Dragon arm. I hadn’t meant for that, but maybe my arm had. And my head was a little more clear than before.
    “Get over here, Harvey! Let’s take this cover off and get started. Heh-Heh! Won’t be long now before the fun starts.”
    Fun for him, maybe. Fun for me? I didn't think so.
    “Sure thing, Boss. Sure thing.”
    The first thing I saw was the moon peeking through the clouds. Then I could smell the Enforcers' rancid breath.
    “Huh, he’s awake,” Renny said, rubbing his chin. “Not sure the Jackal will like that. Harvey, let him know.”
    “Alright,” Harvey said, strolling off.
    I was inside a wooden fort, but I had a feeling it was designed to keep people in rather than out. Catwalks ran twelve feet high from one corner to the other. Enforcers with spears and swords guarded every corner and the space in between.
    “Welcome to our Arena, Demon,” Renny said. “The final resting place for you and many others on Nalzambor.”
    I locked my eyes on Renny and said, “And possibly yours as well.”
    He stiffened, said, “We’ll see about that,” and walked away, casting one glance back. 
    Entertainment! That’s what I was. I remembered the Orange Ruffie battling the trolls. It turned my stomach, the cruelty of men.
    “Go ahead and take those other two out,” Renny ordered his men.
    The farmers were pulled from their cages and the cages pulled away.
    “Alright everyone. Get up on the wall. It’s time for the battle to begin.”
    The father and son shook at each other’s side.
    “Please! Mercy enforcers! At least spare my son. I’m the guilty one!” the father begged.
    The son looked at his father, a sad look in his eyes as he said, “You stole, Father?”
    The father shook his head and replied, “Son, they stole from us. It’s our land and our Golden Ore. These vultures have no right to take what is ours.”
    The Enforcers tossed down two shields and two clubs.
    “I don’t know how to fight, Father.”
    “Neither do I, Son.” He hugged his boy. “I guess we’ll have our first and last one together,” the father said, picking the weapons up.
    “Together then.”
    Renny shouted from above.
    “That’s the spirit!”
    “Here he comes, Renny,” Harvey said, looking over the backside of the wall.
    The Jackal