The Harp of Aleth by Kira Morgana Read Free Book Online

equipment, admiring the craftsmanship of the weaponry on the racks and marvelling at the odd shaped machines which whistled and belched steam.
    A gigantic troll like figure moved beside a machine that poured sparks out as the figure guided the edge of a blade along a grinding wheel. Tavia jumped; the creature had four massive red pupilled eyes; two that were intent on the steel it handled, one peering off into the distance and the fourth watching her.
    Four Eyes? That’s a Quatroll… I’ve only ever heard rumours of them. Tavia shrank back as a second Quatroll, on the other side of her, reached over her head to select a glowing metal blank from the press she was walking past. Tzeentch created them in an effort to make Trolls more intelligent and productive.
    The stench of overheated troll skin and white hot metal made her cough and splutter, but the Quatrolls didn’t seem interested in her. Shouldn’t they be attacking me or something?
    “Worry not, Dearling.” The voice soothed her mind as she made her way into the depths of the workshop. “The levels of protection I have woven over you since the day you were born will allow you to pass unhindered amongst these lowly creatures.”
    That made her pause a moment. “You’ve been watching me since the day I was born?” she gasped out loud, her voice echoing through the cavernous room.
    “My Dearling. The stunning vixen that birthed you was one of my adherents. I gave her wealth beyond measure, enough that she could ensnare the most beautiful of men amongst the High King’s courtiers. Thus you received the perfection of your form, the wealth that funded your training as a Cavalier and the luck that propelled you into the arms of the High King.”
    The voice felt closer now as Tavia threaded her way betwixt machine and Quatroll. Why am I doing this? It feels wrong, but… it also feels as if I am doing something I dreamed a long time ago.
    “You are very close now.” She could now put a direction to the voice and the view that confronted her as she emerged from the ranks of machines was enough to stop her in her tracks.
    At the very back of the room, a river of magma ran along the length of the wall, disappearing into a culvert at either end. Several large metal chambers were suspended above the river and pipes ran from them to the machines. Other pipes, beaded with moisture, ran from the ceiling into the chambers.
    Must be the way they create steam. Tavia looked around. “Now where do I go?”
    “Over the bridge and through the door,” the voice told her.
    Tavia watched, amazed, as a door opened in the back wall and a platform extended out from the doorway to bridge the magma. She stepped out onto it and walked across hurriedly, the heat of the magma drying any sweat instantly.
    “That’s it child. Come into my parlour.” The voice was closer and as Tavia stepped into the room, the door closed with a bang behind her.
    * * *
    A bell rang through the room at the top of the black tower, awakening the Aracan Katuvana from his slumbers with a start. He stood and rapidly approached the windows, selecting the Frazin Dungeon and searching for something on the map of the area.
    The ancient goblin, moving far faster than his looks implied he could, carried the Jar into the room.
    “What is it, Lord?” the Jar asked, as the goblin set it down on the pedestal beside the windows. “What was that alarm?”
    The Aracan Katuvana ignored it, zooming in and sliding the map along with his leather gauntleted fingers until he found what he sought. The Jar watched as the Aracan Katuvana homed the map into the dungeon and focussed on one room just beyond the workshop.
    “Where did that come from? I don’t remember there being…” the Jar faded into silence as the detail of the room was revealed, “...a temple; a tiny temple to the dark gods with a very large and detailed statue of Slaanesh, God of Hedonism at its centre. What is my brother up to?”
    The Aracan Katuvana