The White Shadow Saga: The Stolen Moon of Londor (8 page)

"Oh, yes," Zelok said as his mind turned in
thought. "The Council rarely reveals its gracious will to its
messengers."

"Yes, my lord, and I shall never question
their bidding."

"Then you serve our masters well." Zelok took
up his goblet and sipped the red wine. "Do you have any idea at
all?"

"Not one single word. I pray it holds a
solution to the world's illness."

"In a sense, it does," said Zelok. "As you
saw firsthand last evening, my kingdom falls victim to violent
storms. My people have grown sick, and despair eats at every
heart."

"It is indeed horrible," Seth agreed.

"Magic is failing us, and rumors of the end
are whispered in every dark corner of my realm. I have even heard
of the decline beyond my borders."

"The problems you face are not yours alone,
my liege," Seth regretted to announce. "I have seen the weakenings
in many places this past month. The Realm of Dan's water supply has
dwindled, and the crops do not mature. My king's magicians have not
been able to conjure one spell since Beldas's disappearance.
Humankind's ability to create magic is less enduring than that of
the elves."

Zelok sank back in his chair, looked at the
door, and saw Lorn standing very still. "You there, dwarf," Zelok
called.

"Me, sir?" Lorn asked timidly.

"You're the only dwarf here," the elf-king
laughed. "Come closer, please." Lorn crossed the floor slowly and
stood by Seth's side, too shy to speak to royalty any more words
than were absolutely required.

"May I present Lorn of Beowulken," Seth
announced.

"You honor my court, dwarf of the Beowulken
Valley," Zelok replied. The king turned his thoughts back to the
matter at hand. "We are more than knowledgeable that the absence of
Beldas in the heavens has caused great imbalance." He set the
goblet on the table and folded his hands across his lap. "There has
been resolution from no one thus far. Beldas' fate must be known,
whatever the cost."

"Seth?" Lorn whispered. The knight turned to
face him. "Is it that serious?"

Zelok answered for Seth, saying, "It is a
matter of survival, my little friend. No one will be spared if
something is not done to set the world right. No race will
endure--not even the dwarves. The twin moons give the entire world
its magic and prosperity. The weather, the tides, and every small
link for life depend solely on the heavens' concord. I am not wise
enough to say just how much time we have left, but the end draws
near--and quickly. In this sickness, my kingdom will become flooded
and the Dunane will be wiped away from Londor." Zelok's emotions
began to surface. "As long as I sit upon my father's throne, I will
not let my people die."

"I assure you, the Council will not let this
happen," Seth said, trying to comfort Zelok.

"Yet I have not received counsel from
Mudalfaen, my lord Highbinder. This is why I am taking it upon
myself to investigate Beldas's disappearance." He paused. "This is
where you come into play."

"My lord?" Seth asked, unsure that he had
heard aright.

"Sitting at my side are two who set out this
very day to restore dignity to my kingdom and to the rest of the
world. You, Sir Seth, are their newest companion."

"An expedition?" Seth gasped. "This, then, is
the letter's command?"

"Precisely."

"Then I shall honor it and do as you
say."

"Good," Zelok replied with a sly grin. "Does
the dwarf wish to follow?"

"Without a doubt," Lorn answered quickly. He
did not want to be left in Dunane without Seth. The elves would
make his stay such an utter misery that he would rather venture
into a world of unknown hazards than remain. "I will follow
Seth."

"Splendid," was Zelok's pleased response. "I
originally had three to leave my halls before you arrived. One that
I really had hoped for could not make it. But four is a worthy
number, I should say. I did not expect…Council assistance." Zelok
sat up in his chair. "Now, the time has come for your companions'
introductions. The human you see here is Sir Malander of
Muldane."

Seth acknowledged Malander, but Malander did
not move. He was robed in all black, even to his gauntlets and knee
boots. His hair was dark, short, and pushed forward, barely falling
onto his pale forehead. What Seth found most compelling about
Malander, though, was the black mask that covered the left side of
his face. It was somehow secured without a strap and was decorated
by a thin line of silver trim. A double-edged sword lay unsheathed
across his lap. Malander stared into the far corner of the room,
while his hands kept busy toying with a plain ring of silver on his
left hand. Seth knew not what to make of Malander thus far, but he
did feel the grim man radiating a mysterious aura.

"At my side is the mercenary Gildan
Gundagrin," Zelok continued. Gildan raised his head to the sound of
his famous name and awaited a grander introduction. "You are
fortunate to have his blade within your party."

"Indeed," Gildan added proudly. "King Zelok,
your luck is at its peak with me in your service."

"It is an honor to meet you, Master
Gundagrin," Seth said. He had heard the many tales of Gildan's work
and looked forward to seeing the elf's skills with the sword. He
had also heard of Gildan's lavish mode of dress, and saw it fully
in the garments he wore. Some might be tempted to laugh at his
attire, but Gildan's proficiency in mercenary work assured him of
respect throughout the world, and none dared mock him.

His hair was bright green and rose six inches
from his head. Two long braids of hair, fastened by silver holders,
fell before his ears and hung to his stomach, and three small
jewels were fixed in his forehead, between his brows. Over his
right shoulder was a yellow cape with a red and purple pattern of
triangles at its hem, draped over finely designed armor of leather
that covered both shoulders. He wore a long, green jacket with
short sleeves trimmed in yellow throughout. Under his lavish
three-quarter-length coat, yellow pantaloons were bunched at his
knees. Very little of his red tights could be seen, however, for
the boots rode high on his legs. Seth noticed that the tips of the
elf's boots curled upward and inward and were made of the finest
leather he had ever seen. Also, as bold accents Gildan wore leather
gloves that winged out at the elbows, and a matching belt with
silver buckle. In each of his slender, long ears, near the points,
three small, silver rings gleamed in the light.

"You say it is an honor?" Gildan asked
Seth.

"I would say so."

"Then you are correct."

"The person who did not arrive was meant to
lead my quest," Zelok said. "But now I must find another to
govern."

"I will accept your offer," Gildan said
before Zelok could say another word, as if he knew that the
position would be laid before him.

"True it is that I have chosen you,
Gildan."

"Of course," Gildan replied with a smile.
"Alas, this leaves me no choice but to raise the price of my
services."

"Is that so?" asked Zelok, unamused.

"Ninety thousand gold pieces," the mercenary
stated.

Seth's eyes shot open wide at the bold
demand. "Ninety
thousand
?" he
whispered. "Amazing."

"That is ridiculous!" Zelok said. "I can buy
an entire army for that!" He grew restless in his chair. "I could
send a battalion of my own knights, and the cost would be
minimal."

"I see three things wrong with that," Gildan
retorted. All in the room were witness to Gildan's skill at
business negotiation. Zelok was offended. "First of all, an entire
legion could not match my dexterity with the blade. Also, would you
risk lowering your numbers needed for Dunane's defense?" Gildan
paused, knowing that the bartering was nearly complete--in his
favor. "Most importantly, Zelok, I have offers from others who
desire to employ my talents." He made as if to rise from his seat.
"Now, if you will excuse me…"

"Wait one moment, Gundagrin," Zelok said as
he threw up a hand. Feeling in need of a drink, he took up his
half-full goblet and drank it down in one go. "Ninety-thousand," he
muttered.

Seth and Lorn looked at each other,
stupefied. Seth daydreamed of the money and what he could do with
it. The idea of being a mercenary filled his mind but soon faded.
He knew that serving the Council was his greatest security. The
benefits of Mudalfaen would always be there for him, while the life
of a soldier for hire was full of uncertainty.

Zelok came to a hasty decision, and it took
him a brief moment to express his thought. "Agreed. You shall have
your money."

"This is magnificent news," Gildan said.
Ninety thousand was not much to him, since his fortune stretched
beyond many small kingdoms' entire resources.

"One-third shall be given to you now, and the
rest once the moon is returned or its fate is known."

"Three-fourths now," Gildan replied as he
raised a hand. "The one-fourth remaining I shall claim after I
bring victory and balance to Londor again. Take it or leave
it."

Seth could not fathom how Gildan could speak
to royalty in this rude manner. But Zelok replied, "I will have one
of my servants set aside your gold in the treasury."

"Thank you dearly, my liege," Gildan said
happily. "Now I am ready for departure."

"King Zelok?" Seth spoke. "Could Lorn and I
have some food before we leave? We have not eaten in two days."

"Please do, for I can ill afford to supply
any of you with provisions for the journey. You can have some of
these apples here." Zelok's thoughts dwelt on the expenditure of
money to Gildan. "I have lost my appetite."

Seth took five of the small red apples, gave
three to Lorn, and placed the other two in his pouch for future
consumption. "I think these will do for now."

"Your horses are ready just outside my front
gate," Zelok informed the four. "The prayers of the Dunane people
shall be with you. Once you have a lead on your investigation,
please send word to me at once. We wish you good speed. I pray
fortune is on your side."

"Fortune has always been on my side," Gildan
added. "It is also in my pocket."

Malander was the first to move. As he made
for the door he slid his sword into one of the two sheaths on his
back and left without a word. Seth and Lorn then departed. As Seth
stopped at the door to allow Lorn to pass through, he saw Gildan
speaking to Zelok. From the looks of it, Zelok did not look pleased
with the mercenary's words. Seth left the two elves and escorted
Lorn down the dark hallway.

"Another journey," Lorn said. "I am not
looking forward to this at all."

"I am sorry, Lorn. If I had any notion of
this, I would not have asked you to come."

"You did not know what Mudalfaen had planned
for you. Do not blame yourself."

"I shall blame myself if something happens to
you."

"Be optimistic, Seth," Lorn laughed
uncomfortably.

"It will not be safe out there in the open,
but I shall protect you at all times. This is my primary
function."

"Protect yourself as well."

Strolling back into the main chamber, they
stopped midway to wait for Gildan, also taking this moment to
partake of the meager food they had been given. As Lorn pulled the
first apple from his pouch, he and Seth noticed two elf-maidens
strolling toward them with their heads lowered, their faces covered
by their long and golden hair. Both were dressed in long flowing
gowns of white and blue.

Seth stood up straight as they approached and
he could hear one of them slightly sobbing.

The two maidens were startled as they looked
up and saw Lorn and Seth who both bowed politely. One maiden gasped
as she saw Seth's badge.

"Good morning to you both," Seth said with a
smile.

"Good morning to you, as well," replied the
one who was weeping. "I am sorry we intruded with your
business."

"There is no need to apologize, for you two
have committed no offense." Seth looked into their eyes and could
see despair written on their delicate and beautiful faces. He could
plainly see that the world's imbalance did not spare them either,
as sickness came for all upon Londor. Then Seth noticed the maidens
looking at Lorn's apple and with quick reaction, Seth reached into
his own pouch and took the two apples from his belongings. Holding
them out, he said, "Here you go."

"No, my lord," the maiden said quickly, as if
the offer was unthinkable. "I cannot take this from you."

"It would mean more to me if you took it,"
Seth said. He held them out farther and after short hesitation,
they were taken by the two elves.

Lorn came forth from Seth's side and held two
more apples outward and they, too, were accepted by the maidens.
The dwarf bowed again, turned around, and began eating the one
apple he kept, watching the front doors of the castle.

"Thank you, kind sirs," one elf-maiden spoke,
looking at the gifts as if she just received a bag of gold. Her
eyes beamed at Seth, and she kept a deep lock with the knight's
blue eyes, finding him very gallant. As her heart began to flutter,
she was dragged away by her companion, and both smiled as none
could now see their faces.

Lorn stood still as he watched Malander pace
the floor next to the front doors. The dark knight's head was
lowered. Lorn wiped his beard clean as Seth was rejoined at his
side. "That man looks like trouble," the dwarf commented.

"I wouldn't want to cross swords with
him," Seth replied. "I wonder how much
he
is being paid to be here. If my knowledge
serves me correctly, Dunane and Muldane have never cooperated
militarily. True, they are both allies of Mudalfaen, but these
elves do not interact with Muldane at all. So I wager that
Malander, too, is hired for service."