Seven Stones: Part Seventy-Two
Previously on Seven Stones: Despite Anessa’s misgivings, Kobb agrees a temporary alliance with Inductor Anserth. Haelen reveals the inhabitants of the palisade are probably using the prisoners for meat rather than work.
Kobb gazed down at Anessa. They’d faced so much he sometimes forgot how inexperienced she was. All his life had been spent looking into the darkness. And Haelen had no doubt seen his share of atrocities on the battlefield. But Anessa…? A season ago, her biggest fear had been being banned from hunting. He should send her home, before he got her killed.
She wouldn’t leave even if he tried, though. She’d maybe head off until she was out of sight, then sneak after him. This must be why Reverend Gannon had seemed to both keep him close and push him away. At least Anessa could go home if the horror became too much; everyone who wielded power died on the edge of nightmare, the only choice they had was which way to face.
And they lived near enough to the darkness that it spilled onto others. “Bringing a few prisoners at a time over great distances isn’t efficient. Likely they’re using them to feed something dark.”
“They don’t just kidnap people.” Anserth frowned. “They gather horses, too. That’d be more meat.”
