The White Shadow Saga: The Stolen Moon of Londor (6 page)

The dwarf gratefully drank the water, then
threw the bucket to the stable floor and wiped his dark beard.
"Letter? What's this letter about?"

"It is from the Council," he answered. "I
cannot say more on the matter."

"Mudalfaen, huh?"

"My highest calling, yes."

"And they did not give you the details of
this letter you've risked your life to deliver?"

"No," Seth replied, "though even if they had
offered me explanation, I would have closed my ears. If I do not
know of a letter's contents, it will not affect my duty of
delivery. You know how clumsy I can be when I am nervous."

"All too well."

"Truly, it is not my place to know until the
letter is in the hands of the recipient."

"I wouldn't go into something like this
blind."

"Not knowing is less a burden."

"Maybe so." Lorn threw back his drenched hood
and ran his stubby fingers through his dark, shoulder-length hair.
He was thick but short in stature, standing an entire foot below
the slender-built Seth who was just above six feet tall. "Where do
we go now?"

"I didn't plan this far in advance, I'm
afraid. The weather has ruined any hurried plans I could make. I
can tell you, though, we probably will not be safe anywhere in
Dunane tonight."

"We should be exempt from danger,
correct?"

"Dunane is an ally of Mudalfaen. This should
guarantee our safety." Seth knew all the Council's guidelines,
laws, and allies by memory. His training, however, made him rethink
his logic. "There is a possibility that I am wrong."

Lorn did not like that comment at all. He had
placed his complete trust in Seth; already the dwarf was scared.
"What do you mean? Friends do not attack friends."

"The past two months could have turned
Dunane's thinking to not accept anyone from beyond their borders.
There is a chance of that." Seth tapped the silver badge on his
chest, bearing the Great Tree of Mudalfaen. "This badge has allowed
me to move freely within the Council's lands."

"Then it shall be this symbol that saves our
lives."

"But, as I was about to say, it could also be
meaningless now."

Lorn came down off his borrowed steed and
held his stomach. "Oh, I didn't think my insides could feel any
worse, but this news proves they can."

"Just trust in Mudalfaen as I do, and all
shall be well."

"I will always trust you, Seth."

Before either could say another word, the
doors to the palace opened abruptly. Instinctively Seth and Lorn
retreated to the stable's back wall, where they stood motionless in
the dark. Dozens upon dozens of brown-cloaked elves armed with
blades and torches bore down the street. Seth guessed they were on
their way to the southern tower. Only three elf-knights remained at
the palace and stood close to the red doors. Seth could see the
fear of the Dunane as their swords and torches shook in their
grasp. Lorn felt himself begin to choke and buried his face in
Seth's attire to muffle his cough and avoid giving them away.

One elf-knight stepped away from his
companions and looked around, obviously curious. Seth immediately
tensed his muscles as the elf came closer. It was too late now to
retrieve his sword. His horse was twenty feet away, and any swift
movement to his weapon would surely be seen as an aggressive act.
He would never forgive himself for leaving something so key to his
survival this far out of reach. "Keep moving," Seth muttered very
quietly. "There's nothing in this stable." The elf-knight kept his
gaze in the two travelers' direction, and suddenly his golden eyes
shot wide with the discovery of Seth's horse.

"There's something in here!" the elf cried.
He ran back to his companions and pointed with his sword toward the
stable.

Seth had to act quickly. The sword called out
to him, and he dashed in seven enormous strides to retrieve it.
Drawing the blade, he spun around and stood in front of Lorn. The
dwarf, astounded at Seth's speed, backed against the wall. Lorn
could not aid his friend in battle, since he possessed neither a
weapon nor any fighting skills. The elves stood side by side along
the stable's entrance, and three blades gleamed in the
torchlight--all pointing at Seth. They stared at the armed
intruder, with no one on either side daring move. Seth did not wish
to be charged, nor did the Dunane wish to engage him with such a
small number.

"Lower your weapon!" an elf ordered.

"Drop the blade, human!" demanded
another.

Seth did not respond or comply.

"The enemy is in here!" the last elf-knight
declared. He waved his torch to draw others of his kind to their
location. In no time, many elves heading south turned about and
rushed to the stable. Now their swords were joined with the
original three. Seth began to sway his blade in hand as the Dunane
filed into the stable. Lorn and Seth were three-quarters encircled
now and held in the corner.

The elves were shocked to see a dwarf in
their presence. Lorn, not wanting to look at his attackers, covered
his face with shivering hands.

"A
dwarf
?" many of the elves gasped.

"What do the two of you desire in Dunane?"
one elf demanded to know.

Seth kept his composure and remained
silent.

"Speak, human, if you want to live!"

"How many men and dwarves camp in our
forest?"

"Lay down your arm!"

"A dwarf? Here?"

Countless interrogations and statements
filled Seth and Lorn's ears, but all were ignored. The elves'
voices began to fade as they parted down the center, allowing one
of their own to come forth. Standing now before Seth was a mighty
elf, uncloaked and adorned in lightweight gold-colored armor. His
hair was silver, and his eyes were blue as the ocean. This
elf-knight, Sir Uthrik, was second in command behind Captain
Fenrahn. He kept one hand on the sheathed sword at his waist.
Uthrik observed the situation and gazed at Seth, the primary
threat.

"I marvel at your stupidity, human. Did you
actually believe for one moment that you could enter our kingdom
undetected?" He laughed and shook his head. Seth did not answer.
"What say you to that?" Uthrik smiled, then noticed Lorn, and his
expression changed. "And a dwarf rides to Dunane as well. What is
the world coming to?" Uthrik turned to his soldiers and searched
for an answer. "Have these intruders spoken?"

"Not a word, sir."

Uthrik's attention returned to Seth, and he
felt the beginnings of annoyance. Naturally, Uthrik had not been
his usual self these past eight weeks--the lack of balance in
Londor spared no one. Each new day was a battle to keep his
abilities as a leader. "I strongly urge one of you to speak, or
neither of you will appreciate my next course of action."

Seth knew that the time had come to speak. He
did not wish for further trouble. "I am a friend of Dunane." He
paused momentarily to adjust his introduction. "I mean, we are both
friends to you."

"Well, which is it?" Uthrik asked. "One or
both? I still say you are foes."

"I am a diplomat to the Council. My being
sent here is justifiable. This badge warrants my words as
truth."

"Whom did you kill to obtain that sacred
symbol of authority?"

"None, I assure you. I have held this rank
for two years."

"A likely story, to be sure."

"What more must I do to prove this to
you?"

"First of all, you can state your affairs.
Then I might consider allowing you to prove it afterwards."

"I have a letter from the Council."

"A letter, you say?" Uthrik grew curious and
wanted to know more--much more. He craved resolution to the world's
downfall, and to his own demise as well. "Give it to me at once,"
he demanded. Stretching forth his hand, he awaited the
parchment.

"I cannot," Seth replied sharply. "It is to
be placed in the hands of your king alone. Only he can break the
letter's seal. If I hand over an unsealed letter, my head will be
forfeit."

"Well, what does this so-called letter say?
Has Mudalfaen found a solution to our problems?" Uthrik stared at
Seth and prayed for relief.

"We are saved!" some elves cried.

"The Council has blessed us!" cheered
others.

Uthrik raised a hand and silenced the stable.
"Leave nothing from the tidings you will now tell me."

"I have no news from Mudalfaen, and I do not
know of the letter's business."

"You lie!" Uthrik blasted.

"Never would I be so careless as to lie, my
good elf."

"Regardless, His Majesty sleeps in his
deepest chambers. We dare not disturb him under any circumstance.
Your precious letter will have to be delayed."

"I suppose it can wait until sunrise," Seth
replied.

"What is your name, Council Servant?"

"I am Sir Seth Highbinder of the Realm of
Dan. Traveling with me is the dwarf Lorn of the Beowulken
Valley."

Uthrik laughed, finding the dwarf amusing.
"Beowulken?" The assembled Dunane laughed with their commander.
Lorn, mortified, lowered his head. "What business does Beowulken
hold in Dunane? We are not in any need of artisanship, Sir Seth.
Dunane already possesses the greatest of the world's
craftsmen."

"Lorn is my closest friend," Seth defended.
"He does not bear crafts meant for you. We rode out of Beowulken
together to deliver this letter."

"Very well," Uthrik said, still laughing.
"Just keep that dwarf by your side at all times. We don't want any
trouble inside the palace tonight."

"The palace?" Seth asked, somewhat
shocked.

"Yes, the palace. You are under the Council's
good grace. We have rooms held aside for such noble guests." Uthrik
looked at Lorn again. "Well, nobles such as you alone, my lord
Highbinder."

"A room sounds lovely," Seth whispered.

"That is unless you have taken affection to
the stable."

"No," Seth replied. "We'd much rather sleep
inside. The wilderness has been most cruel to us these past
days."

"Then it is settled," Uthrik said, turning to
face his soldiers. The gathering came to attention promptly.
"Excellent work, my friends! All is well this night. You have shown
that the years of maneuvers have made you fine examples of King
Zelok's military. Fall back into the palace, save four of you, who
will attend to these horses."

"Yes, sir!" the elves answered heartily. They
saluted and filed out of the stable, leaving four to tend the
horses. Uthrik approached Seth and looked down.

"I thank you, Sir Uthrik, for attending to
our animals--they have been sorely used."

"This requires no thanks, Sir Seth. I pray
your letter holds meaning for us all."

"As do I," Seth replied. "The answer will be
revealed soon."

"Gather what you need; then follow me."
Uthrik strode to the opening of the stable. The rain still beat
down onto the street. The elf shook his head at the kingdom's
misfortune.

Seth placed his hand on the shaking dwarf's
shoulder and smiled. Though Lorn was unnerved, he responded well to
Seth's touch. "All ready, Lorn?" he asked, concerned.

"Y-yes, I am."

"Very well." Seth stepped forth and said to
Uthrik, "We are ready when you are."

"Let us proceed inside."

Two elves stood just inside the palace
entrance, waiting for their officer to pass through. Uthrik strode
in first, followed closely by Seth, then Lorn, who shuffled his
boots behind Seth's trailing cloak. Not much detail could be seen
in the palace's main chamber. The lighting was dim, and the ceiling
dark as night. Seth guessed it to be fifty feet or more above his
head. Narrow windows were placed twenty feet from the marble floor,
and a few torches flickered from sconces along the stone walls.

Nearing one of the great columns that
supported the high ceiling, Uthrik left his guests at a
considerable distance behind as he marched ahead purposefully. Seth
and Lorn both caught glimpses of one of the columns' intricate
craftsmanship. Even the dwarf was fascinated by the deep carved
lines in the blue marble; though he was not really one for
stonework, he appreciated all forms of art. Lorn tilted his head
and reached out to feel its beauty, but a voice halted his
movement.

"Do not lay one dwarvish finger on that!"

"I only meant to--"

"Pollute His Majesty's most valued works of
craft!" Uthrik appeared quickly from the shadows and stood between
Lorn and the column. A look of menace from Uthrik bore down on the
dwarf.

"I am truly sorry," Lorn said sincerely.

"Sir Seth?" Uthrik uttered.

"Yes?"

"Do you see the set of stairs to your
right?"

Seth peered through the dark and saw what
Uthrik spoke of. "I see them, yes."

"Could you be as so kind to see yourself and
this dwarf up to the fifth floor? Your rooms await you there."

"Thank you," Seth replied with a slight
bow.

Uthrik continued to glare at Lorn, making
sure without further words that the dwarf knew his place in Dunane.
The elf melted again into the shadows with rapid steps. "Good night
to both of you." His voice echoed through the chamber. "Do not
touch anything of value that isn't yours!"

Seth threw his arm around Lorn's shoulders
and led him toward the stairs. "Pay him no attention, my friend.
This lingering hatred between elves and dwarves is absurd."

"I agree," Lorn answered. "I simply do not
see its purpose." He thought back to his homeland. "Never have I
encountered such bitterness from an elf before. All my elven
patrons have always shown the greatest respect."

"Yes, it's true; not all elves are
prejudiced. There are a few who hold friendships with the
dwarvenkind….Then again, there are many elves who would lop off
your head for a wrong look in their direction."