The Trials Of Ashbarn ( Book 5) by Jeff Gunzel Read Free Book Online Page B

against the wall. His eyes were small, like little yellow beans, and his nose was wide and flat. An underbite made him appear as if he were constantly growling, but his reputation had nothing to do with his looks. This brute was one of the finest warriors amongst the crytons. A killer amongst killers, he was the personal bodyguard to the High Priestess.
    On this day in particular, Shantis looked to share her bodyguard’s scowl while continuing to frown at the doorway. Once again she had called another meeting to discuss recent events involving the Gate Keeper. As usual, the other representatives were taking their time to arrive, forcing her to wait, testing her patience.
    “Who do they think they are?” Shantis grumbled to Brinkton in their native tongue. “The humans have reached out to us. Eric and his friends have proven to be substantial allies. Yet here we sit doing nothing to aid them. What more has to happen to our village before we take action?”
    “Since when does mindless action seem more applicable than wisdom and common sense?” came a sharp reply from outside the room. Shantis stood from her chair. Two tall men entered the room, each wearing a scowl similar to her own.
    “Coompall. Graten. I’m glad to see you’ve finally arrived. I was beginning to think something had happened to you both, seeing as I called this meeting to start some time ago,” said Shantis, trying to force down her anger.
    “By the looks of things, I would say we’re early,” said Coompall smugly, the taller of the two.
    Shantis ignored the sarcasm and waited for them to sit before returning to her own seat. The same servant ran up to them and placed silver water goblets in front of each. Shantis ran her fingers through her long white hair, drawing it back. It was thin by human standards but marvelously thick for a cryton. Her numerous gold and silver bracelets clacked away even with the gentle movement. She ran a hand down her white dress worn only for these meetings, smoothing it out. She was stalling, composing herself so as not to say something out of anger. “Yes, I suppose you two are the first to arrive. I assume the others will be here soon enough.”
    “You assume much,” said Graten, a broad man with eyes small er than Brinkton’s. He blinked constantly, those yellow dots darting all around the room.
    “My patience wears thin with these constant delays,” Shantis hissed. “I’m having a hard time believing the true Gate Keeper’s sudden appearance is of such little importance to everyone. The prophesies are unfolding right before our eyes, yet all we do is delay.” She rose from her chair, her bright yellow eyes piercing through each of them in turn. “For years we have avoided the humans. We hid like animals, afraid to let our presence be known to the world. But my friends, the Undead War was a long time ago. The Gate Keeper has come! Crytons and humans will once again work together. We must stand together and face the darkness that threatens our world. When this vile force brings pain and death, sweeping across the world like a raging forest fire, it will show no prejudice. All are fair game in the eyes of the darkness. We, too, must show no prejudice. We must stand together with our brothers and sisters.”
    “Brothers and sisters , she says,” came a taunting voice from outside the room. In walked a tall female wearing a low-cut red dress. Her white hair was even thicker than Shantis’s. Long and wild, it flared out in all directions like a sunset, each braid ending in a tiny red ribbon. With gold and silver bracelets running up each arm and several hoop earrings to match, it was clear this woman had gone to great lengths to make an appearance.
    “How good to see you, old friend,” said Shantis. Instead of standing, she drew herself up in her chair, back straight as a board. Filista Umyon was more than a little familiar with the High Priestess. She often voiced her opinion against Shantis’s