Erebos by Ursula Poznanski Page A

sometimes.
    â€˜Where were you?’ Mum asked him when he burst into the flat. Just as well he’d thought to hide the shirt under his jacket.
    â€˜Around the corner. I got myself some chewing gum from the kiosk.’
    He even had an opened packet in his pocket, but Mum didn’t want to see it.
    Back in his room he hurriedly checked that the messenger was still there before he grabbed his phone from the bedside table and rang Finn.
    â€˜Hey kid! Good to hear from you. What’s new?’
    â€˜Finn, did you get the HFO T-shirt after all?’
    Short pause.
    â€˜No, I wrote and told you that, remember? You can’t get them at the moment, but I’ll have a good crack at it, okay? I had no idea it was so important to you.’
    â€˜No, don’t worry – it’s fine. Don’t stress about it.’
    Finn wasn’t lying – of course not. Why would he?
    â€˜Nicky, don’t be mad, but I’ve got to get back to it. The shop is full of people.’
    â€˜Okay. Hang on, one thing: Have you been playing on the computer a lot lately? Role-playing games?’
    â€˜Not at all. I don’t have any time – that’s life when you’re a businessman!’ Finn laughed and hung up, leaving Nick even more at a loss than he was before the conversation.

    The messenger doesn’t appear impatient – rather the opposite. No sooner does Sarius move again than he leans off the wall – slowly, as if he has all the time in the world.
    â€˜Did you find your reward?’
    â€˜Yes. Thank you.’
    â€˜I hope you liked it. Are you pleased?’
    â€˜Sure. Very pleased, actually. Can I ask something?’
    It seems as though the messenger hesitates briefly.
    â€˜Of course. Ask your question.’
    â€˜How do you know what I would like? You couldn’t possibly know that.’
    â€˜That is the power of Erebos. Be grateful it is on your side.’
    The messenger puts his head to one side, and a smile contorts his gaunt features.
    â€˜Do not disappoint us, and it will remain so. Now, tell me what you feel like doing. You can help destroy an orc village – there’s heaps of gold up for grabs. Or search for the secret portal to the White City. Arena fights will take place there tomorrow. It’s a good chance to make a Two into a Three. Or even a Four.’
    â€˜That’s possible?’
    â€˜It certainly is. In the Arena you can see what a fighter is really made of. You can win everything there – and lose everything. It’s better to win, of course: wish crystals, weapons, levels. Last time a vampire named Drizzel took three levels away from another vampire named Blackspell. In one single fight.’
    â€˜That’s possible?’ Sarius repeats, thrilled by the opportunities that are suddenly opening up.
    â€˜Of course.’
    Sarius’s decision is made. To hell with the orc village.
    â€˜I will look for the city.’
    â€˜Good choice. I only hope that you find it in good time. Registrations for the fights close tomorrow when the tower clock strikes three. Good luck.’
    The messenger dismisses him with a wave of his bony fingers, and Sarius steps out of the cave into a sun-drenched meadow full of flowers. Once again he is left alone to fend for himself.
    Flowering trees, flowering bushes. He turns all around, but there’s not the slightest sign anywhere of a white city. Rather than stand around, he walks straight ahead. That worked out once already.
    The chirping of the birds is getting on his nerves. It’s creating a holiday atmosphere instead of a mood of adventure. And there’s no secret portal in sight either. Not even a mole hill.
    Although . . . there is something lying up ahead in the grass. Could be a piece of material, or maybe a flag. He goes closer, bends down, freezes. Lifts up a blood-soaked piece of cloth. Still dripping. A shirt.
    In the distance he hears a noise like muted