The Darkslayer: Book 02 - Blades in the Night by Craig Halloran Read Free Book Online Page A

Chongo’s doing. Where is he?” he asked.
    “ I moved him over this way,” the boy said.
    Venir followed the boy deeper into the southern end of the barn. Chongo occupied a variety of different stables in case anyone became too curious about the unique animal. Georgio did a fine job of relocating him regularly and making sure no one messed with Venir’s favorite pet, mount, and friend. Soon Georgio stopped before an old, worn stable gate. Unlike the others, it was over six feet high, so one could not see over it. Set into it was a smaller door that latched from the inside.
    The boy climbed over, followed by Venir. He was set upon by two large, wet tongues of black and pink. Two lion-sized paws pinned him to the wall as the two-headed Chongo licked him up and down. Venir laughed and scratched one of Chongo’s heads and then the other, noticing that Chongo’s two stiff tails snapped back and forth like cattails.
    “ Oww!”
    Georgio shrieked as a tail whipped across his cheek, leaving a red welt.
    Venir gave a little frown, but then smiled at Chongo again. The bull mastiff—known also as a dwarven setter—was the size of a small horse. Chongo’s heavy coat, unusual for a mastiff, was deep brown and red, and as soft a retriever’s. And his two snouts made him an excellent bloodhound, able to pick up a scent for miles, maybe even leagues. Chongo had been with Venir on and off since his boyhood. They had always managed to find one another again, despite the odds against survival on Bish.
    As soon as both of Chongo’s heads had calmed down, Georgio passed Venir a rag to wipe off his coating of saliva. After drying himself off, Venir looked around the oversized stall, noting that it was layered with clean hay and that the food and water troughs were freshly filled.
    Venir noticed that another beast lay snoring in the corner. It was Melegal’s gray pony, Quickster, who looked more like a mule than a pony—except for his furry black underbelly. Venir laughed again, thinking about how it always annoyed Melegal that everyone called Quickster a mule or donkey, though the beast himself didn’t seem to mind. As usual, he just lay there on his back in his own world, hooves dangling below bent knees, oblivious to the presence of Venir and Georgio.
    “ Why does Melegal keep that silly donkey, Vee?” Georgio asked, rolling his eyes.
    “ Don’t start, Georgio, or I’ll tell Melegal he looks hungry.”
    Georgio grunted. “But that’s the dumbest animal I’ve ever seen! All he ever does is eat, sleep, and fart. He even tried to eat a live chicken. Ever seen a donkey chase a chicken, Vee?”
    “ Shut up, Georgio. I just got back. Save your words for Melegal.”
    Georgio pouted and muttered and finished up his chores in the stall. Venir watched the boy as he scratched Chongo’s ears and belly. Despite the boy’s endless questions and pointless comments, Venir was glad to be home and to see Georgio.
    Venir had taken care of Georgio over the years like a kid brother—ever since rescuing him from the Red Clay village, south of the forest, when Georgio was just a toddler. Now about twelve years old, Georgio reminded Venir of himself at that age: full of energy and a thirst for adventure. Georgio had remained cheerful despite his circumstances, and had grown on the hardened warrior. Truly, the boy gave Venir another purpose besides slaughtering underlings.
    “ Things look to be in good order, Georgio,” Venir finally said. “Let’s head back so I can wash. On the way, I’ll take you by the market and get you some of the fruits you like, for your fine work. How’s that sound?’
    “ About time! I’m starving. Quickster eats better than me. Oops … sorry. I didn’t say that. Uh, so, can I get some jerky, too?”
    Venir squeezed the boy’s thick shoulder. “Sure, all you can eat.”
    “ Man, all the jerky I can eat?”
    Brimming with joy, Georgio skipped out through the small door in the gate.
    As the two of them