System of the Beast Slayer [litrpg Adventure]
Copyright© 1999 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 66
“Leshen’s next move, time and place, all clear as day,” Roy said, barely hiding his excitement, “tomorrow we finish it.”
The Witcher doused him with cold logic. “Kid, you forget, we still have not caught the sigil host. If we slay Leshen first, it will be wasted.”
“You did big work yesterday.” The Witcher’s thick palm landed on his shoulder. “Kelvin is not the host, he does not worship Leshen, yet two victims came from his mine and he bears you an odd hostility. That is suspicious.”
“So I pressed him with Axii about Scoia’tael. He spilled it. He has been helping the Scoia’tael.”
“From him I learned there are four Scoia’tael hiding around Mount Carbon.”
“Only four?” Roy frowned, he had expected dozens.
“For reasons unknown most Scoia’tael were recalled to the Valley of Flowers. Four stayed behind to liaise with Kelvin, and to help Leshen build totems.” The Witcher explained, “Their numbers are small. That is why they let me wreck one totem without much interference. If we act without certainty and I slip away, they will be exposed in the open.”
Roy understood.
“Also, among those four Scoia’tael one is a sigil host,” the Witcher said, “tomorrow night Leshen will strike again, Kelvin will meet them at an outpost outside Mount Carbon.”
“Scoia’tael are brutal. They mark one of their own with a sigil.” Roy’s lips parted. That was a death sentence, binding a person to Leshen. “No wonder I could not find the host in the baths.”
He drew a breath and asked, puzzled, “Why would Kelvin betray the High Elder so openly? He is beloved by Brovar.”
“Axii only made him give up so much. Push further and he will break free.” The Witcher’s voice held a hint of scorn. “Sixty years old by Dwarf reckoning, just newly of age. Maybe he is rebellious. He turned against his own uncle and sided with Scoia’tael and Leshen.”
“That settles it. Tomorrow I take Leshen,” the Witcher declared, already set. “You and the four Dwarf brothers trail Kelvin Hogg, find the Scoia’tael. If you see the host, kill him on the spot.”
“Leshen can resurrect through the host about an hour after its death.” The Witcher’s face grew hard, “Time will be tight. Do not show mercy. Leave no Scoia’tael alive. As for Kelvin, take him alive if you can.”
Roy nodded. The man had betrayed the High Elder, but the High Elder might spare him. If possible Roy would keep Kelvin breathing.
“If the plan leaks and Kelvin learns of it, he may turn the trap on us. Mount Carbon is his turf. So nobody else must know, not even the High Elder, apart from us and those four Dwarves.”
“Mm.”
“If the worst happens and Leshen revives, it will be weakened for a time. Use the Anti-Magic Bomb I gave you and the incendiary oil. Fire will hurt it badly.” The Witcher instructed, “After tomorrow the Scoia’tael and Leshen will lay low, until we are chased from Mahakam or more Scoia’tael arrive to reinforce Mount Carbon. Tomorrow night is the last chance.”
The Witcher faced Leshen alone without fear. With Roy and four Dwarf brothers against Kelvin and four Scoia’tael, the odds looked manageable. No point dithering.
“All right. Let’s do it.”
A full moon rose, white over the snow-laden boughs, and hung at the zenith.
The Fifth Mine road into Mount Carbon lay between black trees that felt like a maw. The shadows seemed ready to spring a thing at any moment.
Footsteps came fast. A Dwarf in a thick coat ran with a lantern, urgency on his face.
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