The Web of Iron

Chapter Sixteen: Land of Goblins

William was dismissed and led away into a side passage by Lucius. The spirit halted here and looked at him through the cowl it wore. The spirit looked apologetic somehow, despite not having facial expressions. "I would go with you to the other side, but I fear I have other matters to attend to, far from here."

"Do you have any advice?" asked William.

"Advice? Well, if I were you, I should not exhaust myself running," said Lucius. "You'll run yourself ragged, and you'll have to confront someone at some point.

"As for the path you ought to take, I should take that one." And he motioned to a dark passage leading downward. It smelled of carrion.

William looked to another from which he could smell clean air. Then he looked to Lucius. "Why not the other? The air isn't as bad from there."

"That way leads out faster," conceded Lucius. "But it also doesn't have many offshoots, so your hunters will know where to find you. Einheroth, don't tire while you do. You'll be overtaken for sure unless you can run faster than anyone else in such armor. Even if you do get out, you'll end up in the mountains above the Iron Kingdom.

"That is giant country. They'd love nothing more than to devour you. And some of them are smart enough to hang out by the exits.

"The road I have suggested is longer, but there are beings along it who may help you. Or, at the very least, may not at once try to eat you. It will also lead you out into the heartlands of the Iron Kingdom. Those are safe. Or as safe as anywhere can be. All the less violent races are being killed or fleeing to the shore."

"I understand," said William. "Goodbye. And thank you for your help."

"It is no trouble," said Lucius.

William walked on by.

"Oh, and William," said Lucius suddenly. "Keep your helmet on."

William turned back. "Why?" But Lucius was gone. "Anything else I should know that you won't explain?"

There was no answer.

He sighed and began his journey into the passage that smelled of carrion. Sure enough, he soon found himself walking upon bones. Yet these bones were fresh. Sometimes he even saw an occasional fresh corpse. The stench was horrific.

He pulled his scarf over his nose and walked as quickly as he could manage. He tried to keep his eyes away from them. He'd seen death before in the wars. But nothing like these fly-ridden bodies which became more and more common. Soon whole piles were lying around before feasted on by rats.

He tried not to throw up. He had no time.

Time? What did it matter how much time he had? The Withering King had only been toying with him before. He was likely only toying with William now. No doubt, the Einheroth were waiting at the entrance to catch him unawares.