The Master of Names

Chapter 19- JorhundGa

  The man titled Jorhund grinned at Salem with a strange surge of confidence in his eyes. The wind whistled through the campsite as the sky darkened, clouds crossing overhead as the shadows revealed the tension in the air.

  "Well, Faughlt? Anything to say?"

  Salem finished the last few bites of rutabaga. "Thanks Pudge," he said to a silent crowd, leaving the bowl on the ground.

  "Your Name?" said Salem.

  "Annos, but that'd be JorhundGa Annos to you now, Faughlt."

  Salem frowned. "JorhundGa? Under whose authority?"

  Annos smiled and held up a dark purple piece of gnarled wood. Salem tensed up as Keldon slowly put his bowl down, his heart pounding against his chest.

  "No," said Salem without turning around. Keldon froze.

  "You should be careful baring those fangs of yours pup, you might get burnt."

  Was this Salem's way of telling him to not interfere?

  But Annos didn't seem to realize that Salem was speaking to Keldon as his face soured. "Fucking Peacekeepers, still thinking Idraver revolves around you," he said. "Let me clue you in on a little secret Faughlt, change comes, and you're being left behind."

  He dropped the gnarled piece of wood into the ground and waved his left hand as a pale grey skill orb appeared.

Activate Unique Skill: Summon Titled Guardian; Ad'Temorre

  The gnarled wood sunk into the ground, creating a small fissure. Everyone except Annos and Salem took a step back as an ethereal smokey arm ripped itself out of the ground. Long hooked claws left deep gashes in the earth as the creature emerged with a ghastly screech. It was humanoid, tall, and lanky with glowing green eyes as it towered over Keldon and the others, standing a good five heads over Salem and dripping with black ichor. Salem kept a steely gaze, not breaking eye contact with Annos who maintained a cocky grin.

  Finally, Salem spoke. "I assume you're aware of the consequences of your actions?" he said.

  "Hm? Oh, you mean about your father's orders. I believe a good friend of yours believes he would take care of them if push came to shove."

  "A good friend? The hell are yo-," started Salem, but then something dawned on him, "That rat! He wouldn't dare."

  Annos dramatically pulled out a glistening ivory knife, carved from bone as he waved it around in the air as if he was toying with Salem. Salem's face darkened.

  "No need for the scowl, Faughlt. Take it up with the chief once we're back in Zolstice," said Annos, turning to Mitch. "Pathmaker, with the authority as a representative of JorhundaGaT'aal Auschler, I command you to seize Salem Faughlt."

  Keldon had a sinking feeling in his gut as Ernie and Pudge both turned to guidance from Mitch, who in kind, gave Salem a heavy look.

  "Is this true Salem?" asked Mitch.

  Salem gave Mitch a gentle smile.

  Mitch sighed. "Alright boys, let's get to work," said Mitch. An earthy-yellow orb materialized at Mitch's fingertips as Ernie and Pudge summoned their own skill orbs respectively.

  "And grab the kid, the JorhundaGaT'aal might want to have a word with him," said Annos.

  "Leave him out of this," spat Salem.