A sombre expression settled on Dek’s blunt features. ‘This last is more rumour ‘an fact, but ‘tis spreading like wildfire in the city. They are saying as ‘ow the wall o’ a tavern o’er on Miessen Street in the poor quarter just disappeared.’
Alloran’s stomach dropped. ‘It did what?’
Dek shrugged. ‘Rumour, I said. I went down to ‘ave a look-see as it seems many o’ the city people did. Ain’t seen such a press o’ people since the festival for the king’s jub’lee two years past – but the wall as they was making such a fuss about was still there. The tavernkeeper insists as 'ow it was gone an’ then back again – raising all ‘ell about how the wall ‘adn’t come back square with the building.’
‘That’s preposterous!’ Gisyane’s face slowly turned red with each passing word, and she waved her hand to emphasise each point. The forgotten covers slipped to expose her lace-covered breasts. ‘Even supposing such a thing could be done, why? What possible reason could a wizard, anyone, have for making a wall vanish and come back?’
Dek’s frown deepened, and his fingers tapped along the chair back as he stared down at his knuckles. ‘Can’t say as I know, lass. But the wall, ‘twas as the tavernkeeper said. Wasn’t square. Might always ‘ave been that way, I suppose, although if so ‘tis the worst example I’ve ever seen.’
Alloran cleared his throat. ‘It, uh, might not be so preposterous at that.’
* * *
Thanks for dropping by! Don't forget, this is the second draft, and as such won't be perfect. If you like what you read, and are so inclined, show your support by leaving a comment. Stalking the Demon is expected to be released in August. If you'd like to sample more of my writing, check out the free short stories available on this site.
If this is your first visit to Monday Morsels, find others in the series by clicking on the ‘Monday morsel’ tag, or go to the first installment for Stalking the Demon.
More about Stalking the Demon:
Alloran did everything within his power; he banished the demon and sealed the portal. But the world is still careening into hell.
Six months after Ladanyon's defeat, Gisayne is fading away from a baffling illness. Alloran is desperate for a cure, but he has a secret - the fabric of reality is collapsing, threatening to spill unrestrained demons into the world of Verusia. Is Ladanyon striking back at Alloran from the hell to which he was condemned, or is there a traitor among them?
The only people he can turn to for help deciphering the linked mysteries of Gisayne's affliction and the collapse of the world are the two research assistants set to spy on him for the council of wizards - but he knows he can't trust them.
Everything Alloran loves races toward destruction - and all the answers are locked away in hell.
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