Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The gentle light bathed Garrett in gold, driving back the terrible chill that had shrouded him. It also fell on Henrick, with an entirely different result. Horrific black smoke burst from the possessed mans skin as it charred, causing him to fall back with a yell. The stench of burning flesh filled the room as Henrick was forced to retreat, only able to watch as Garrett laboriously pulled himself further into the sunlight. Suddenly two hands grabbed his arm, pulling him out into the inns yard and, rolling over, he saw Ryns pale face.

What?

Sensing Garretts confusion, Ryn grimaced and lifted her bloodied arm.

Im small enough to fit out that window. Well need to get new glass though.

From where he lay, Garrett could see the broken glass in the small window to the room he and Ryn shared. The young woman must have taken the opportunity to flee, breaking the window and climbing out, cutting her arm in the process.

What was that? Obe asked, reaching down to grab Garretts shoulder.

That was Henrick. Hes been possessed by some sort of evil spirit and was trying to kill me, Garrett said, pointing at his bent leg. Gorn tried to stop him and was probably killed. If my guess is correct, hell retreat down into the passages under the building, but we need to call for reinforcements to make sure he isnt still in the building.

And you need a doctor, Ryn said.

Indeed.

Standing up, his face ugly, Obe looked between Garrett and the empty doorway hed crawled out of. As much as he didnt want to believe what Garrett was saying, he had caught a glimpse of Henrick before the possessed man had retreated. Even if the strange vertical eye and the transformed arm hadnt been enough to give it away, the fact that sunlight caused his skin to smoke would have alerted him to something being wrong.

Ryn, stay with Garrett. Tyren, Atis, get me a doctor and the city guard, as quickly as possible. Tell them weve had a monster attack.

Their expressions grim, the two men ran off, each heading to find the people Obe had requested. Holding his axe at the ready, Obe stood in the bright morning light, guarding in case the monster possessing Henrick decided to make a return appearance. With the help of a few of the gang members, Ryn got Garrett over to the other side of the street, putting him on a chair that one of the gang members borrowed from a neighboring store. As he finally relaxed, Garretts body began to tremble, as if the terror that had been coursing through him was finally released. At the same time, the icy calm he felt retreated and the full weight of the situation fell on him. Gorn was dead, cut down by Henricks cleaver, and if Garrett had hesitated for even half a second, he would have joined him. A faint pain bloomed in his heart as he thought about Gorn, but there was nothing he could do at this point.

It wasnt long before the doctor arrived, and after taking one look at Garretts ankle, he commanded the nearby gang members to pick Garrett up to take him back to the clinic. As they were leaving, the city guard arrived, along with a group of Awakened wearing yellow armbands that Garrett remembered from his time in the palace. Employed by the city, these Awakened were highly trained, specialized monster hunters who dealt with supernatural monsters like spirits. With the arrival of the exorcists, Garrett felt a trace of as the chief exorcist looked over at him.

Youre the one who encountered the possessed?

A middle-aged man, the exorcist had a sandy mustache and a thick shock of blond hair that rose from his head in an impressive wave. Nodding, Garrett tried to keep the tremor out of his voice.

One of them. I managed to crawl to safety, but my friend, Gorn, was killed.

Nodding, the chief exorcist chewed on the end of his mustache as he looked at the inn for a moment before shooting a glance at Garrett.

Do I know you? You look familiar.

I dont recall us having met before, Garrett said.

He was technically telling the truth, despite having seen the chief exorcist before in the palace. At the time the chief exorcist had come to talk to the prince, and Garrett had never been introduced to him.

Hmm. Strange. We can figure out why you look so familiar another time. For now, lets focus on making sure this inn is clear.

The doctor, who had been standing there impatiently, commanded that the gang members carrying Garrett follow him. Before he left, however, he stopped and stared at the chief exorcist angrily.

Looking at her calmly for a moment, Garrett glanced around the room at the various gang members speaking quietly and then brought his attention back to her.

Do you want to?

Leave? Only if you dont have a plan, Ryn said, matter-of-factly. If we restart the meeting and you dont have a plan to work all this out, Im gone. I have a bit of money saved from the soap deal, and we can restart somewhere else. I have a friend in the city center who would probably shelter us. And if not that, we could go to the slums. It wouldnt be my first time, and youd pass for a regular citizen.

A small smile curled at the corners of Garretts lips as he listened to Ryns straightforward thoughts. One of the things he really appreciated about her was the way she spoke her mind. When she fell silent and stared expectantly at him, he raised his eyebrow.

What?

What do you mean, what? Do you have a plan?

Youll have to wait and find out, Garrett said calmly.

Ugh. I guess I better start packing.

You have such little faith.

That a cripple, a castaway, and a pathetic little gang can survive an open war with a gang twice its size? Oh, and an insane, possessed Awakened who can chop through anything? Hmm, did I miss anything? Right, the political and social connections that will leave us without allies? I wouldnt call that a lack of faith, Garret. I would call that realism.

Yet you arent getting up to pack, he pointed out, earning himself an eye roll.

Maybe Im a sucker for the underdog. And there will be plenty of time if your plan is lame.

With a clang, Francis dropped two plates on the table for them and they joined the rest of the gang in digging in. About halfway through the meal, Garrett felt his connection to the Dream reawakening and he put down his fork. Seeing Ryn watching him, he gave her a small smile and then looked over at Obe.

I think I might have an idea. I need to think though. Would you mind helping me to my room?

Hmm? Oh, sure.

By now, Garretts ability to plan was established and Obe was more than happy to carry him over. Just before he left the table, Ryn reached over and grabbed his sleeve.

You better not be packing. I just got used to this place.

Dont worry, there wont be any packing, Garrett reassured her.

When Obe had put him down in the chair next to his table, the gang lieutenant went to the door but hesitated before he left. As the only remaining officer in the gang, he should have been in charge, but Obe had never been cut out for leadership and really didnt know what to do. Sensing that he wanted to say something, Garrett waved for him to speak.

Ive been part of this gang since I was little, Obe said, his gaze dropping to the floor. And this gang has been like a home to me. But today, I think Ghouls Tooth died its final death. Its been in process for a long time, ever since Henrick and the old boss were ambushed. I think something in Henrick broke when that happened and it only came to the surface now. Your plans seem to have a way of working that I cant get my head around, but if youre going to come up with a plan, I think the Ghouls Tooth needs to stay dead. Save the people, not the gang.

Having said his piece, Obe turned around and walked away, his shoulders heavy. Watching him go, Garrett murmured to himself in a voice no one else could hear.

Save the people, not the gang. Thats a good sentiment.