The Jungle Deep
Rallen paused at the distant crack of thunder, waiting for an echo that never came. Frowning, he turned his face to the wind and tasted something foul, a faint tang of ash and acid. Up ahead, Corrick continued striding towards the ruined tower, his cloak flapping madly behind him. This was an abandoned place. Rallen caught up just as Corrick reached the broken archway that led into the tower. The other ranger turned. ‘I don’t understand, Corrick. This watchtower hasn’t been manned in decades.’ ‘I suspect that is about to change.’ Rallen shook his head. ‘We’ve been at peace with Lorenthia for generations. The king’s sister is married to…’ His voice trailed off as he saw his friend’s pain. ‘Corrick?’ Corrick shook his head slowly. ‘Just follow.’ The ranger turned through the arch, and Rallen quickly followed. Inside, shafts of sunlight reached down through the cracks in the roof to guide their way. They climbed slowly up the worn stairs that still circled around the inside of the tower
