Gods in the Grey City 2: Gods in the Grey City, #2

By Lenni A.

After Tia defeated Jeshe, Grey City becomes a safe haven for escaping Muri slaves. But King Bastion is on a mission to stop them and has a secret weapon; his magic-wielding queen, Anasia, who is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure Grey City falls.

 

This is the second in a series and it it highly recommended to read the first book to understand this one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lenni
• Release date: Sep 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215163443

Lenni A.

Lenni is the pen-name for a librarian with a wild imagination. She loves reading, writing, drawing, baking, and not nearly enough hours in the day to do all these things. She has been writing since she can hold a pen and reading since she could hold a book. You can see her full body of work at www.atthequillsmercy.com and check out her blog over at www.literaryloon.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

The sound of muffled hooves and creaking wooden wheels was overshadowed by the freezing night winds. The driver's high, round ears flicked back and forth, searching for any sign of their pursuers. She gripped the reins in one shaking hand, the other in a sling to protect her wounded shoulder.

How much further? A hooded figure hissed poking his head out of the cloth flap of the carriage.

You should be sleeping. The driver whispered, keeping her big blue eyes on the ground in front of the ambling horses.

I wanted to see the trees. He slipped the hood down revealing a torn ear and pink bandages over half his face, covering his missing eye. They both looked up at the approaching forest that surrounded Grey City; flush with life unlike the parched desert between the outlying villages and Grey City itself. We're almost at the edge of the desert.

The trees will give us cover- She was cut off by an arrow hitting the flanks of one of the horses; who reared back and shrieked in pain.

Ambush! The driver cracked the reins and both horses surged forward. The wagon behind them matched the breakneck pace and each cluster of escapees followed suit. The entire caravan shouted a warning; they were all under attack by humans on horseback all dressed in black as they charged the line of escaping slaves. The few scouts around them did their best to pick them off but they were overwhelmed and enraged humans slashed at the wagons and horses to make them buck and dislodge from the wagons full of terrified slaves. The air was filled with shouting, crying children, screaming babies, and the clash of metal on metal; with the blunt thuds of arrows hitting any mark they could acting as a twisted sort of percussion to the chaos.

The one-eyed Muri snatched the reins out of his sister’s hand and did his best to get control of the panicking horses and urge them faster. Blow the horn! He screamed.

She struggled to keep her balance as she went into the wagon and snatched up the curved bone horn and blew into it as hard as she could before an arrow pierced the thick cloth covering and went through her hand to crack the horn, rendering it useless.

Fuck! She ducked and more arrows clattered around her. When other horns sounded in the distance and she sagged against the side of the wagon in relief. The signal was heard. This close to Grey City, there was a sliver of hope most of them would survive.

An answering horn came from the forests ahead of them and thundering hooves made the approaching rescue appear out of the dust like an army descending from the heavens. The group split and picked off the human attackers in a flurry of well-timed arrows, hastily made swords, and a flash of glowing blue ribbons rending flesh until every human was dead.

Slow down! A hooded Muri on horseback matched the pace with the one-eyed Muri at the front of the caravan. We have healers for the wounded and can provide safe passage through the forests and get you situated before you cross the wall!

The driver nodded and pulled the reins while the woman galloped away to check in with the other wagons.

When they reached the tree line, each wagon came to a full stop and assessed the situation. They lost all their scouts who died defending their group, several horses, and any driver out in the open had cuts and arrow wounds. Most of the wagons shielded their occupants and those injuries were minor.

We made it, Mari. The one-eyed Muri held his sister close. I can't believe we made it.

Mari went limp in her brother's arms, looking down at her useless arms with a dark scowl. Adim, go get me some painkillers. I'll celebrate when I can use my hands again.

While a healer checked their wounds, a man walked up to them and pulled his scarf away from his face. According to the healers, you'll regain almost all your mobility. He bent down to their mat and smiled. I'm Castor. Food will be along soon. Your recovery will depend on rest.

Mari's eyes teared up and Adim hugged her tight. I'm sorry. I lost the horn.

We'll make more. A dry, cold voice made all three look up to a Muri with markings on her face and dark circles under her big blue eyes. We'll make as many as it takes.

When she turned to leave, Castor gave them a tense smile and left them to wait for more aid.

You're scaring them. He said, following her quick pace. Tia, did you hear me?

They should be scared. Tia did not slow, barking orders to set up watch in the trees while the new arrivals gathered themselves and rested before they made the last few miles to cross the wall. Every Muri is a target. Grey City is like bait in a trap for those disgusting slaving assholes.

Grey City is hope. Castor jogged to get in front of Tia to stop her from stomping away. More hope than we ever dreamed we could have. Scowling down at everyone like that isn't helping. Castor took a breath, clenching his fists to hold back from ranting. Have you slept? You have been on the front of every rescue mission in the last month.

I'm fine. Tia shoved her shoulder into his to pass him but he didn't move.

You're slipping. His eyes narrowed when she scowled at him. You have full access to your magic but you miss your marks. You barely stay on your mount. At the sound of the horn, you hesitated.

Castor, I'm warning you. Tia's ribbon flared to life, coiling around her hands.

You don't scare me. Castor tilted his head, looking over her shoulder at the refugees staring at them. But I may be alone in that.

Tia's magic flickered out when she turned around to see the frightend, tired, and hopeless faces behind her. The fear made her stomach turn and she audibly gagged; swallowing sour acid. Get away from me. She lurched forward and sprinted towards the wall with one hand on her mouth as she struggled to keep from vomiting.

She's cracking. A voice came from a tree branch above Castor's head.

I hate to agree with you but she's going to get someone killed, Castor muttered, knowing the man above him could hear better than anyone. Any helpful ideas, tiny god?

Ciro smirked and appraised his nails. What gods are ever helpful?

Castor sighed and walked away, noticing more water was needed for the healers to sterilize bandages and others were scrambling to make sure there were enough rations to go around. Resources were running thin with so many fleeing slaves seeking sanctuary at Grey City. Even with the combined experience of every Muri strong enough to work; the city needed so much more than it was currently capable of giving. But all Tia cared about was gathering as many of her people as she could find.

'There's going to be a breaking point.' Castor took the responsibility of distributing supplies to those who needed them the most, gathering names in the hopes of connecting with loved ones on the other side of the wall, and sending scouts into the sands to salvage what they could from the dead.

While the new arrivals settled in, Castor met with the group of Muri who were willing to act as leaders until a more formal council could be established.

How did the last rescue go? Safuc nodded to Castor and motioned for him to join the rest of those gathered by the fire.

We were able to save most of the injured and rites are being prepared for those who didn't make it. Castor sat and accepted a steaming cup of tea from Safuc's assistant, Drayfus. That means we got one hundred new residents tonight.

That's the fifth caravan that large this month. A female at the other end of the tent with a thin face but a powerful presence as she sat in her armor and a sword at each hip. We anticipated an influx once word got out Grey City was safe from humans. But resources are strained and space is running out.

How goes the work on the wall, Jafa? Safuc turned to her and she sighed.

Every able body has been in rescue parties or deep scouting. Jafa leaned forward, her gloved hands clasped together. Any volunteers need to be trained to properly lay stone so the process has been sporadic to put it as positively as possible.

Safuc nodded and Drayfus pulled out parchment and a sliver of charcoal to make a note.

We need to shift some focus on food production, too. An older Muri stroked his beard with big, calloused hands. Crops have been planted but we'll need something more immediate. The forest can only give us so much.

"If we