The Unknown Man: Book 1 in The Keepers of the Orbs Series by J.G. Gatewood Read Free Book Online Page B

Tuk's head just hung forward. When normal tactics were unsuccessful, he once again harnessed his powers. He uttered an incantation and a waterfall appeared out of nowhere. The cold water cascaded off Tuk’s head and brought him to consciousness. Satisfied he had done what his master asked of him, he took a few steps back and joined Lutheras' side, leaving the Goblin suspended in air.
    Lutheras—with his red eyes flashing in the abysmal darkness—walked forward toward the Goblin. “What is your name?” He waited patiently, or rather, appeared patient. When no answer came from Tuk's lips, he reached for his spark and struck at the Goblin with invisible energy. Horrid visions filled Tuk's head again. “I won’t ask you again.”
    Tuk fought the visions. He could feel a force lashing his back. He didn’t want to comply, but felt he had no choice. “My name be Tuk, master. TUK! And that be Kos.”
    Lutheras took a satisfied walk toward Tuk. “Good...Tuk. Very good.” He inspected the unconscious form of Kos, and walked around the pool of blood surrounding the body. “Do your friend Kos here a favor, and take this dagger and end his misery. If he wakes with these wounds, he will be in unfathomable pain.” A dagger materialized in his hand. From where, Tuk didn’t know, and he didn’t want to ask. “Now take it, and do as I say.” He handed Tuk the dagger, hilt first.
    Tuk stepped forward and accepted the small blade. The hilt felt good in the palm of his hand, almost refreshing. He eyed the dagger, then Kos, then Lutheras. He wanted to comply with Lutheras' wishes, but didn’t know if he could. Lutheras eyed him. Suddenly Tuk’s hand with the dagger drifted up in the air toward his neck involuntarily. He tried to fight the movement. With the dagger at his throat, he could feel the cold steel penetrating his soft flesh. He felt a small amount of pain, like a pin prick, and felt a warmth spread across his hand. It had to be his own blood.
    “I told you I wouldn’t tolerate any hesitation. I don’t need you, but you need me.” He let out piercing laughter made him sick with fright. “It will be you or your friend.” He paused to let the Goblin think this over while his laughter subsided. “DECIDE!”
    Tuk had no choice. It wouldn’t be as though he killed his uncle, as much as he wanted to, Kos would be dead soon anyway. He felt control return to his arm. He pulled the dagger away from his own neck, and grasped the wound with his other hand. He walked forward and plunged the dagger deep into Kos' chest. It was easier than he thought to break through the bone and cartilage of the rib cage. Without even thinking about it, he stabbed Kos multiple times. Filled with rage, he kept thinking about how caused all of this.
    Lutheras stepped forward and grasped the Goblin's flailing arm. “That is enough. No more use will come of you stabbing that lifeless body.” He pulled the dagger out of Tuk's hand and wiped it on Kos' cloak. “Outside these doors you will find a camp of Minotaurs. They are faithful to me and shouldn’t harm you.” His lips curled in a grin. “Take Kos' body to them. It will serve as an afternoon snack.” He turned and faced Eldrin. “See that he’s cleaned up. He might have worth to us after all.”
    Eldrin walked over to Lutheras and said, “Very well.” He bowed before continuing. “At least some good came from all of this,” he said. “He has followed you here, but he doesn’t know who he’s. We can hope this is a permanent setback for him.”
    Lutheras pondered this for a moment before replying. “While I see your point and suppose you’re correct, I had hoped we wouldn’t have to deal with him at all.” He glanced at Tuk as the Goblin lifted Kos' body, then toward Eldrin and turned to walk out, “See that he disposes of the body.”
    “As you wish,” Eldrin bowed as Lutheras stopped one last time.
     

A Match in Combat
             
    The man stood and