“Oh for Inari’s sake, you named the damn thing?” Ned asked.
Chapter 16 — Avarachs. Mark of the Shadow — Book 1 of the Phantom Lord Saga.
Welcome to MARK OF THE SHADOW, an epic fantasy novel written by Oliver Evensen and Taryn Brewer. If you’re new here, you can start at the beginning, start right here, or get caught up with the Table of Contents.
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Ned disappeared with a shout.
“Ned!” cried Revilo with surprise. He was the first to reach the edge where Ned had fallen, which had turned into a sheer drop, concealed by the bracken. He could make out nothing but darkness below. He leaned forward cautiously.
“Ned! Can you hear me?”
The ground shifted beneath his boots, and Revilo froze, certain he was about to plunge into the darkness below after Ned. Thankfully, Ivel seized him by the collar, hoisting him back just as the loose soil slid away.
“Be careful,” Nyra said, casting a small flame up, and peering into the abyss below. “Ned, are you okay?”
A muffled groan followed by a torrent of curses echoed from below, prompting a collective sigh of relief from the trio atop the cliff.
"I'm fine," Ned shouted in response. "I landed square on my backside. Just—give me a moment. It knocked the wind out of me."
Ned unleashed another stream of curses, which was promptly followed by a command.
"Stay where you are while I get my bearings, then I'll hunt around for the—ouch!"
The next thing they knew, Ned was yelling, his voice echoing through the dimly lit forest. It wasn’t the only sound they heard, though. An ominous clacking and chattering had arisen from below, like the restless stirring of countless hidden creatures, and was growing with fervent intensity, filling the air with an unsettling cacophony that sent chills down their spines.
“Ned! What’s happening?” cried Nyra.
But there was no response over the growing din.
“He needs our help!” said Revilo, fumbling a little as he removed Havashal from his belt. “Nyra, Light it up so we can see!”
Nyra clasped her hands, and with a single word, the area burst into a sea of light. As the brilliance flickered, Revilo stared down in horror—a horde of creatures sprawled beneath them, each with multi-faceted eyes, black wings, and spindly legs. A cacophony of shrieks erupted as several creatures surged upward, their sharp beaks glinting and spider-like legs writhing.
“They’re bird–spiders!” wailed Ivel. “Spiderbirds!”
“They’re Avarachs,” said Nyra. “Creatures created by the Phantom Lord back in the holy war. They’ll tear us apart, or poison us, if they can.”
One of the spiderbirds darted swiftly toward the light, aiming to pierce Revilo with its beak. Revilo struck back with Havashal, landing a killing blow. It was a whirlwind of wings, beaks and feathers. At one point, webbing clung to Revilo's skin, which he quickly sliced away.
"We must reach Ned!" Revilo shouted above the clamor.
“Working on it!” Nyra bellowed back.
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