Path of Bones by Steven Montano

the destruction of Gallador, ultimately leading to the creation of the wastes he and Kruje sailed through now.  The Voss were the sworn enemies of humankind, and now Dane accompanied one of them, trying to learn his language and maybe even becoming friends with him.  The fact that they’d been forced to escape Ebonmark together certainly had something to do with their traveling arrangements, but Kruje had chose to remain on the ship even after they’d reached safety, and Dane had no idea what to make of that.
    He could still be regenerating, Dane thought.  Maybe all of this rest has been so he can regain his strength.  Either way, Dane intended to get into the city, and if Kruje wanted out this was going to be his last chance.
    “ Where are we? ” Kruje asked.  It took Dane a moment to translate the words in his head.
    “ A city,” he said. 
    “ Why?” Kruje asked.  He watched the Knight confoundedly. 
    Dane had to carefully consider his words before he answered.  Kruje waited patiently.  The Voss was all too aware of Dane’s language limitations, but the way he spoke to Dane told him the giant appreciated the communication, as he used small words and sparse syntax so as not to confuse his human partner. 
    “ Woman, ” Dane said, slowly.  “The woman. ”
    Kruje nodded.  He understood from their prior exchanges that Dane was looking for someone, a friend he was supposed to help.  Or at least Dane hoped he’d been able to get that much across. 
    The giant pointed at Kaldrak Iyres. 
    “ Here ?” he asked.
    “ Maybe,” Dane said.  “ Not sure .”
    Kruje watched Dane, and looked back at the city.  The giant’s ebon flesh was laced with beads of sweat. 
    “War nordek con rappes?” he said, his thick voice loud in the night.  Dane’s blank stare must have conveyed the fact that he hadn’t understood a word of what the giant just said.  He didn’t understand the next sentence, either, but a curse was a curse in any language, and the Voss was clearly annoyed.  He pointed at the city, pointed at himself, and then shrugged.
    “ That’s up to you,” Dane said in Jlantrian, but he’d already thought of what to say in Voss.  “ Come with me, and hide.  Or go home, alone.”  The Voss narrowed his eyes and moved his thick hands in a way that indicated he wanted Dane to repeat himself.  Dane did.  The giant folded his arms, which were as big around as tree trunks and knotted with oily black muscles. 
    “ Where would I go ?” the giant asked.  Dane couldn’t be sure, but he thought he noted the faintest hint of sadness in Kruje’s alien and inhuman voice. 
    Dane pointed to the shores, and back down the River Black. 
    “ Anywhere ,” he said.  I owe you that much for helping me.
    Kruje looked at each the river and city in turn.
    “Hide?” he asked.
    “ Hide,” Dane said with a reluctant nod.
    The giant made a very human sigh.
     
    Kaldrak Iyres’ water channels had been designed to discourage attacks  originating from the lake, and they spread under the city like a spider’s web.  Most of the tunnels were wide enough to accommodate sailing vessels and small warships, but their confusing layout made direct access to the docks all but impossible, and it required patience and careful navigation to avoid colliding with the curved walls lined with murder holes, siege weapons and Veilcrafted traps capable of turning even a stout frigate into a flaming husk by the time it reached any place it could do significant damage. 
    Dane piloted their ship through the twisted tunnels.  Lit braziers set in alcoves in the sandstone walls cast blazing illumination, and only the steady flow of wind kept the tunnels from clogging up with dark smoke.  The waterways were busy, and it took careful piloting to avoid the other ships coming and going from the docks: sleek Raithian vessels with dark furled sails and black-clad pirates wearing facial chains and scimitars; stout Blackmoon