Marrow Hole (pages 19-20)

Transcript

… Given that it was considerably larger than the goblin-sized beds, Gareth could only assume it was for him to lie on during the procedure. The old woman proceeded around the wet room, plucking metallic tools from the boiling waters and gathering dried gauze from the lines above her. Gareth watched her intently as she prepared her equipment for his procedure.

The sound of little Dreksa pumping air into the corpses was interrupted by a sharp whistle from the main chamber. Gareth watched Kander return with a handful of bottles and packages – more medical supplies, no doubt, from the cupboards and chests – and whistling a strange tune. To what end, Gareth did not have long to wonder, as a horrific beast glided silently behind the young assistant on eight long legs. While Kander arranged supplies on a tray next to the medic’s tools, Gareth’s eyes were fixed on the wretched monster that settled itself next to the floor mat, rear-first.

“What is that?” Gareth stuttered.

Kander looked at Gareth, then at the creature, but awaited the medic’s answer. The medic returned to the mat with more bandages and replied, “She is a spider. She is my partner and will assist in the procedure. Her name is Pardell.”

He opened his mouth to question the spider’s medical knowledge, but was interrupted by a tug on his pant leg from the assistant, Kander. The goblin … [cont.]

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