castle ravenwood illustrated

7/27/2019 Castle Ravenwood ILLUSTRATED

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Cohen /Castle Ravenwood /Page-1

CASTLE RAVENWOODThe STORMLORD TRILOGY

Volume One

A Fantasy Novel

By

La!en"e #$ Cohen

%&''( La!en"e #$ Cohen


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De)*"at*on

In lov*n+ memo!y o, my +!an)-a.

Mu!!y /a-lan

Mo*she 0en Y*t1"ha2 3a/ohen /a-lan

4 A)a! 45(6 7 &6thFe0!ua!y 89:6


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A"2nole)+ements

No writer works alone, much as he likes to daydream u new worlds! "y close #riends,$ony "ende% and $om &udson, insired a lot o# the characters and lot o# this tale! 'e sentmany hours role-laying together, everything #rom #antasy worlds to (tar $rek! 'hen ) *eganturning our adventures into a via*le manuscrit, it was $ony and $om who read it, madesuggestions, and gave encouragement! $o my great-aunt +orothy #or giving me my #irst *ook,The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,and randma, #or reading it to me! "om, #or ushing me inchildhood to at least write down my stories i# ) were going to daydream in class, and +ad, #orteaching me to think logically and ut things into order! "y teachers, esecially Pro#essor CarlCalendar and scar "uscariello as well as .mily $ra##ord erges o# rookdale CommunityCollege and 0ersey City (tate niversity, resectively! $wo #riends #rom childhood, long gone,who also in#luenced the main characters "ark (teven Collins 153-1667 and erald

+eleorno 158-191!7 'ayne rstadt o# the (ociety #or Creative :nachronism, the real(hadowmaker! $he great authors o# my childhood ;!


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The above pewter miniature of Jasryn Storm, complete with the Staff of Air andpseudodragon familiar, is available through sculptor Andrew Barlow,www.darkplatypus.com. ;!o,ess*onal -a*nt


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DRAMATIS ;ERSONAE

#ASRYN STORM &uman 'hite Ro*e mage, arenticeo# Palin "aGere, and *rother o# sha

"aGere! :n orhan whose ast isshrouded in mystery

SIR MAR/3AM SWORD3AW/ &uman Anight o# (olamnia, Anight o# the CrownGARNET IRONDELVE lacksmith and +warven 'arrior

S3YLA ;OC3FINDER Aender #rom (olace

DORIAN BARRETT &al#-elven Rangerlord, leader o# our

intreid *and o# adventurers

TIMBERWOLF &uman Hue-(hu shaman/ranger

GNEBBIC3 BMFLE nome tinkerer/inventor

MERCIDIT3 O;3IRWIND )merial Princess o# .rgoth, andPriestess o# "ishakal, goddess o# healing

LNDAR ECLI;SE +ark .lven lack "agic 'i%ard,utcast #rom (ilvanesti


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CASTLE RAVENWOODA D!a+onlan"e Novel

By

La!en"e #$ Cohen

;ROLOGE

=FIND T3E LITTLE SORCERERS BRAT> a harsh adult voice *ellowed, and cut

through the silence o# the woods! (mall, #rightened animals scattered, skittering through dead

leaves and other de*ris as ironshod hooves thundered near*y!


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Cohen /Castle Ravenwood /Page-

$he rulers o# this land hungered #or even more wealth and ower, and invaded their neigh*ors to

the west and south! $he land itsel# re#lected the oulationJ *eauti#ul in aearance, yet

concealing a dark, rotted core!

$hrough the thickly laden male and oak lim*s, torchlight shone #rom the towering

windows o# Castle Ravenwood! $he castle itsel# #ormed a itch-*lack *ackdro in the distance,

*lotting out the starlight! $he man 0asryn was #orced to call #ather had gone this night to

Nerakas caitol with "aster +anvil, or he wouldnt even have attemted this!

:cross #rom 0asryn, two more #rightened *oys crouched low, the smaller o# them looking

like he was a*out ready to cry! nly #our summers old, little Aalistaire was too young to

understand what was haening, wriggling and sni##ling in his *ig *rothers arms! "arkham

(wordhawk, a straing youth o# #ourteen summers, hushed the child and wished #or a sword!

"arkham was a sBuire to his own #ather, ;ord "ikval (wordhawk, a Anight o# the Rose!

$he (olamnic Anight and two elder si*lings were slain when the *aron conBuered Colintyn &all,

Gust across the *order in $hrot! $he surviving *rothers had *een languishing in the *arons

dungeons, tortured at +anvil


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Cohen /Castle Ravenwood /Page-1?

arti#acts! 0asryn *ore an uncanny resem*lance to the grieving *arons only heir, dead these many

winters to a (olamnic arrow! : whisered incantation in .ldritch to disguise the *oys hair, and

Fon ladmere had his son *ack, along with a new arentice #or


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KJa,Danvil had told him smoothly. K)t is time #or you to earn your *lack ro*e, *oy! $hat

reBuires you to make a *lood sacri#ice to Nuitari, the dark god o# magic! (wordhawks youngest

son will do nicely!

Jasryn had shuddered at the thought. Danvil had meant little /alistaire, the baby0 A

small child "ith large, trusting blue eyes and platinumblond hair, hed been taken "ith his

brother, then forced to "atch "hile the young s)uire "as tortured.

KMour #ather and ) must see the ;ord o# the Nocht ere (olinari rises this evening! e

ready on my return,Danvil elcraft had ordered, then left, slamming the ironbanded oaken

door like the thunderpeal of /rynns doomsday.

=$ake this,> 0asryn whisered urgently! &e ulled himsel# #rom the memory, and slied

his silver-chased throwing dagger into "arkhams hand! $he cold steel glinted in the moonlight!

'ith a shake o# his head, the elder *oy a*sently tossed his long, sandy-*lond hair out o#

his eyes, and shot the young magic arentice a meaning#ul look! ="y thanks! "y *rother and )

owe you our lives, mage!>

=)m Gust a novice,> 0asryn corrected, whisering *ack! =:n you can thank me later!

$heyre still a#ter us!>

0asryn eeked through the thick #oliage! &e saw a ower#ul *lack warhorse, *earing a

+eath ;ily Anight in #ull latemail armorJ he wore the *adge o# a catain! $he knight cut the

under*rush with his longsword! : large, Geweled greatsword hung sheathed #rom the saddle!

$he *oy gased so#tly, recogni%ing the warhorse, Nightwind, and the sword, 1ehement! oth

*elonged to (ir Cean anoke lackgaard, "arkham *reathed so#tly! (ir

Cean was still too #ar away to overhear! 0asryn rayed #ervently that lackgaard ass them *y!

Aalistaire looked u at the mention o# Paladine!


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=)ve *een lanning my escae #or a long time,> 0asryn told him *y way o# eIlanation!

=$he castles #illed with secret assageways, *ut this is the only one that leads outside the walls!>

=)m "arkham (wordhawk,> the youth said, introducing himsel#! =$his is my little

*rother, Aalistaire@well, hes adoted, really! (omeone le#t him, wraed in *lankets, at our

kees chael@>

=+o you always chatter like a kenderL> 0asryn snaed! 'hen the youths Gaw snaed

shut at the re*uke, 0asryn #elt guilty! =(orry, ) tend to do that, too! )m 0asryn F@(torm!>

&ed almost said KFon ladmere! 0asryn hoed "arkham didnt catch the sli! &e

didnt know i# the son o# a murdered (olamnic knight would trust the *arons adoted child!

='e wont get #ar on #oot,> "arkham stated! ='ell need a horse, weaons, sulies!>

=+unno a*out a horse or weaons, *ut ) *rought some #ood,> 0asryn told him, atting the

large deerskin satchel he carried! )nside was a loa# o# *read and some #ruit #rom the kitchens,

#lint and tinder #or kindling cam#ires, his sell*ook, a small *ag o# steel coins, and (erannons

old #orest-green cloak #or warmth! $he enchanted elven cloak could hide all three o# them in its

voluminous #olds, *ut 0asryn didnt know that! :ll the *oy knew was that +anvil


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$he wind icked u, rustling the new sring leaves in the *oughs high a*ove them!

$hrough the *rush, Ceans horse was even closer to their osition! $hat was no coincidence!

Rangers had trained Cean lackgaard! )ndeed, a moment later, Cean called out to his #ellows!

=Aurt Roric Cayd ver here $he *rat went this way>

0asryn gased sharly, then turned to look at "arkhams leading, *lue-gray eyes!

=Please try, 0asryn>

=$ry 0asryn,> Aalistaire reeated, his little voice *egging! $he #rightened toddler didnt

understand much, *ut 0asryn knew he didnt want to go *ack to that dungeon! 0asryn certainly

didnt want "aster +anvil to ut that ritual sinuous-shaed dagger into his hands and #orce him

to sacri#ice this small *oy with the large, trusting eyes!

Nodding solemnly, 0asryn (torm Fon ladmere rose #rom his knees with a sigh! =(hield

your eyes,> he advised, and saw "arkham ull his little *rother close and cover his #ace!

0asryn closed his own eyes in concentration, and then li#ted his small, thin hands, moving

them in intricate atterns! :ll hed said was true! &e was a novice, a child, who only knew a

hand#ul o# cantris@calling light, mending shattered trinkets, reading magic scrolls, moving

small things with an invisi*le hand, and casting a *itterly-cold ray o# #rost@all o# which

wouldnt do more than annoy the +ark Anights under Cean lackgaards command!

h, yes! :nd one real sell that he hadnt even *een a*le to cast success#ully yet! -olor

'pray! +a%%ling, enchanting, hynotic rain*ows that stunned the victim, sometimes into

unconsciousness!

(omehow, 0asryn didnt think rain*ows, esecially #rom a twelve-year-old novice, would

imress these eIerienced, *attle-hardened ro#essional soldiers!

$hen he heard the sna o# *ranches under Nightwinds hooves, #ar-too-close, the so#t

moan o# Aalistaire at his #eet, and 0asryn knew he really had to try this time!

$he *oy #ell into a trance as "aster had taught him, Buieted his mind, and reached out to

sense everything around him! 'omethingwas di##erent this time, something in the #orest, near*y!

0asryn touched the magic o# Arynn, and sensations assaulted him! &e #elt the wind *rush the so#t


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new leaves high a*ove, #elt water #low as it ran across the smooth stones in a near*y *rook, #elt

thepo"ero# the silver moon, (olinari, which he secretly longed #or and +anvil

;ight #lared in the childs hands like twin stars and shattered the night! 0ust as all #our

dark knights raced toward him through the thick #oliage, reslendent rain*ows eIloded, #illed

the #orest, and da%%led *oth horses and men!

$he *lack armored knights screamed and shielded their eyes, *ut it was #ar too late!

(omething 0asryn didnt know o# or understand increased the normally low-level sell tenfold,

stunning all who saw the rain*ows into unconsciousness! :ll collased, save 0asryn@a mage is

never a##ected *y his own sell@and the (wordhawk *rothers, whod *een #orewarned not to

look!

0asryn #elt *oth drained and eIhilarated at the same time, as the magic #inally started to

#ade away, channeled into the sell! $he young magic-user dared to look around, and saw the

a#terglow o# his #irst real sell! Colored glitter, like #ire#lies, sarkled all over the clearing! $he

very air was tinged with magical static energy! $he air smelled as #resh as it did Gust a#ter a

summer storm! "en lay rone everywhere, sleeing where theyd #allen! : skylark chired

merrily #rom a high *ranch!

=M.:&> 0asryn cried with Goy, Guming into the air! =) did it +m a mage0>

=Meah, you are,> "arkham whisered, awed, standing *y his new #riends side! :#ter a

#ew moments, the youth touched 0asryns arm! =) think wed *etter get going!>

$he smile Buickly #aded #rom 0asryns #ace, as he remem*ered the sells duration! =h,

yeah! $hat sounds like a good idea! $hey wont *e aslee #or too long!>


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"arkham slid the dagger into his *elt and scooed u his little *rother, while 0asryn

snatched u his satchel, sliing the carrying stra across his shoulder! :s they started to run,

"arkham asked, =&ow longL>

= the young novice in#ormed him! ='ed *etter run

#aster>

=(hame those horses were knocked out, too,> "arkham gried! ='e sure couldve used

one or two>

$he *oys ran until they were out o# *reath! "arkham, trained as a sBuire, was in *etter

shae, *ut the added weight o# Aalistaire wore him down at the same time as 0asryn! oth *oys

leaned against the wide, gnarled trunk o# an ancient oak tree, winded, guling air greedily!

0asryn held a stitch in his side, and swallowed hard!

='ere!!!never!!!gonna make it,> 0asryn gased, #alling to his knees! &e *rie#ly

considered duming the *ag, which had grown heavy, *ut Buickly dismissed the thought! $hey

deserately needed everything in it!

='e have to,> "arkham answered, swallowed, and then continued! =) aint goin *ack

there No way>

0asryn nodded in #ull agreement! &e didnt mean he was giving u this easily, he meant

he didnt think they could ossi*ly make it, not on #oot, when lackgaards men all had heavy

warhorses! $hey either needed to #ind some lace to hide, #ind a wild horse lost in Ravenwood

0asryn hu##ed, letting oIygen #ill his lungs

again! &is chest *urned, his legs were on #ire! &ed sent long days oring over dusty old

scrolls or gardening her*s #or magic comonents! $he only real eIercise hed had was the

mandatory sword lesson twice a week, as the *arons son and heir!

=+ont have the time,> "arkham told him #irmly, icking u Aalistaire again! =Come on!

'e only have may*e ten more minutes *e#ore they wake u and chase a#ter us!>


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:ctually, 0asryn re#lected, they were ro*a*ly already awake, Gust still da%ed and

con#used *y the magical rain*ows! $he +ark Anights could stum*le a#ter the children into the

#orest, *ut their horses would still *e useless to them #or several more minutes, i# not another hal#

hour, #rom #right i# nothing else! 'arhorses were trained to ride through the clash o# steel and

the metallic scent o# *lood, notthe weirdness o# magic and the scent o# sell comonents! :

mages steed, either a riding horse or a donkey, was trained to ignore the oosite!

0asryn he#ted the weight o# his satchel and #ollowed! nce more, the *oys ran until their

lungs *urned and their legs #elt like saltwater ta##y #rom the sweetsho in Palanthas! $his time,

they ran until they collased and lay on the ground, chests heaving! 0asryn turned his #ace, and

uked into the soil!

0asryn lay there #or long, long minutes! &is mind screamed that he needed to get u and

run, or at least #ind a good lace to hide, *ut his *ody wouldnt cooerate! elatedly it occurred

to him that he shouldve studied the ma o# Ravenwood harder! .ven *etter, he shouldve taken

the scroll with him!

=0ase,> "arkham gased, his voice hoarse! $he *oy turned his head! No*ody had called

him *y that nickname *ut (erannon, years ago, *e#ore he was kidnaed and taken to Neraka!

=MeahL> he answered, anting hard!

=;ook,> "arkham whisered, and 0asryn heard the awe in his #riends voice! =Moure

not gonna *elieve it! ;ook>

0asryn raised his head, his eyes widened to saucers, and slowly, ever so slowly, sat u!

$he *oy gased again, this time out o# sheer wonder!

)t was the most *eauti#ul creature 0asryn had ever seen in his li#e, ure white light given

living #orm! (now#lake-colored #eathery hair graced the long, slender neck with a thick mane,

#illed a lush moonlit tail, and #eathered its ankles! Power#ul yet grace#ul muscles riled under

ivory skin! .yes like liBuid sahires regarded the *oys, #illed with ancient wisdom! :ll o# this

aled in comarison to its horn, which twisted u to a shar oint #rom its #orehead, and shined

with its own enchanted light, like (olinari at #ull hase!


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: unicorn, a real unicorn No T"oo# them : stallion and a mare

='ow,> 0asryn *reathed so#tly! nicorns hadnt *een seen on Arynn since the :ge o#

+reams! Met, here they were@two o# them@in Ravenwood

0asryn smirked, holding *ack laughter, mostly #rom the Goy o# *eing in the resence o#

unicorns! ='hat ) think it means is theyre attracted to innocence, urity o# heart! Moure a

(olamnic sBuire, arent youL>

"arkham nodded, satis#ied with that answer, and returned his #ull attention to the

reternatural *eauty o# the unicorns! $he stallion cantered u to them with a grace no natural

creature could imitate! oth youths laughed, reached out, and stroked the unicorns head and

withers! )t #elt so#ter than down, smoother than the silk sheets sread across the *arons *ed!

0asryn #elt the #amiliar tingle o# magic! &e didnt dare to even consider touching the horn,

though!

$wisted early-white moonlight, the horn glowed with its own inner light! 0asryn was

reminded o# the great +ragonlance that hung in a lace o# honor over the enormous #irelace in

Castle Ravenwoods reat &all! "isused #or slaying the good metallic dragons,


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(uddenly, 0asryn understood the connection! : +ragonlance, according to one legend,

was #orged #rom the rare, early-silver metal mythril! $he arcane metal itsel# mustve come

#rom the essence o# unicorns, most o# which were slaughtered during the :ge o# (tar*irth!

$hat was when Arynns dragons *ecame numerous! :ccording to the2ook of 3egends

of /rynn in his #athers study, coied #rom the original in the reat ;i*rary o# Palanthas, a

unicorn was the only living creature that could slay a dragon!

The (reat 3ibrary! (erannon had taken 0asryn there once, when he was as little as

Aalistaire! $he then-small *oy had *een awed *y all the *ooks and scrolls!!!walls and shelves

#illed with them, as #ar as the eye could see! (erannon later told 0asryn hed *een looking #or

*irth records, any clue as to where to #ind the *oys #amily!

The elderly mage confided to Jasryn some of "hat hed learned over ice cream, promised

for behaving himself in the 3ibrary. There "as a sister, older than Jasryn. 4er name "as 5sha,

and she lived many miles a"ay, some"here in the "est.

The elven mage had never revealed the boys true nature to him. 4e did say that Jasryn

"as very magical, and unlike other little boys, he "ould age very, very slo"ly. The Dark 6lfs

hair "ould turn "hite as sno" before the boy ever sa" puberty. Thenabout the age Jasryn "as

no"7'erannon e$plained that hed go through a gro"th spurt in a short span of time, appear to

be fifteen or si$teen summers of age, and once more be frozen in time for many, many long years

to come.

(erannon had told him solemnly that when this time came, to seek out his sister, sha!

$he red ro*ed illusionist had romised that she would take care o# him!

=+o!!!> 0asryn *egan, hesitantly asking the unicorn, =+o you know where my sister sha

isL>

$he unicorn neighed@even though 0asryn susected she could seak@and nodded her

head! : sarkle shone in her liBuid sahire eyes, dee or*s that seemed to hold all the

knowledge and wisdom o# the world!


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$he thunder o# warhorses hooves rum*led into the glade, Gust as the air o# magical

creatures were rising to their cloven #eet! )n the lead o# two +ark Anights, (ir Cean lackgaard

reined his steed to a halt, eyes wide with surrise, and a little hint o# #ear!

='hat in the +ark Hueens memoryL>

=)mossi*le,> Roric *reathed!

=nicorns dont eIist,> Aurt sneered, and ulled his longsword #rom its sheath with a

hiss! =K$is another trick $he *oys trying to #ool us with smoke and shadows>

="ayha,> Cean answered, his voice drawling! =

='e #ound him with a Red Ro*e, remem*erL> Aurt reminded him! =

Cean nodded Buickly, setting his Gaw! Rain*ows! $he little sorcerers *rat had evoked

rain*ows y his *lood, the striling would ay #or that indignity lackgaard drew 1ehement,

steel singing #rom its sca**ard, and ointed it directly at 0asryn!

=No more tricks, my little lord, or )ll have you in the dungeons with them,> Cean

lackgaard threatened in a cold, dead voice! &e waved the *lades oint toward the ground!

=et down o## there, and come with us!>

='hy, so you can kill themL> 0asryn shot *ack *ravely! $his night, hed cast his #irst

real sell, and sitting astride a real honest-to-goodness unicorn, the *oy #elt uissant! $he young

novice stuck out his Gaw de#iantly!

='hy you little!!!> Cean growled low, under his *reath! 0asryn had neverdiso*eyed him

*e#ore $he *aron had given *oth him and


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Cean nodded! :arently Aurt shared his sentiment! 0asryn had gotten into mischie#

ever since the lack Ro*e had armed him with magic! Candles continued to shine with eerie

light a#ter they were *lown out! +aggers #lew #rom *elt sheathes! "ugs o# ale #loated across the

dining hall!!! *viously, 0asryn had used the same trick to snatch the key ring #rom the guard,

and had #reed (wordhawks *rats #rom their shackles and a locked dungeon cell!

$his time, there would *e no escae, #or any o# them! 3ets see the little mageling cast

spells "ith his hands bound behind his back and a gag stuffed in his mouth, lackgaard thought

grimly! =) want them alive! :ll o# them!>

=&:&> lackgaard cried, and surred his warhorse into motion! Aurt and Roric were

only a moment *ehind him! $heyd close the #i#ty-#oot distance *etween them in seconds!

)ronshod hooves tore u the earth as they galloed toward the children!

='e should #ly now,> "arkham advised, *ut without reins, the young sBuire was at a loss

how to turn the unicorn around and ride away! &e didnt have a sword, a long*ow, or even a

shield, and he dou*ted 0asryn could ull that same trick with the rain*ows twice! "arkham

knew that magic drained a mage o# his strength rather Buickly, and 0asryn was only a small,

slight child, not an adult wi%ard like $enolyn (ilveroole!

lue eyes widening, 0asryn cried, =Meah et us out o# here &urry>

$he unicorns had other ideas!

$he air o# magical *easts stood their ground, making no movement other than to swish a

moonlit tail! $he silvery light #rom their horns grew *righter, and a thrumming hum #illed the

air! $he nights wind icked u, stirring the *oughs high a*ove! (cattered leaves on the #orest

#loor #lew skittering toward the warhorses! $he unicorns made eye contact with the dark mounts!

Nightwind came to a sudden sto and neighed in utter terror! $he other two horses did

the same! $hen, all three warhorses reared, their #orelegs kicked emty air! $he knights tried to

*ring their mounts under control, to no avail! :ll three were thrown #rom their saddles and #ell

to the hard ground! $heir armor clattered in the vast, emty glade! Aurts right leg remained

traed in the stirru, and he was dragged across the ground when his horse #led into the woods!


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Cursing in Nerakese and Common, and a #ew choice words hed icked u #rom a

"inotaur, Cean lackgaard managed to sit u in his latemail armor a#ter many long minutes o#

trying and grunting with eIertion! &e ried the skull helmet #rom his head and tossed it to the

ground! (weat matted his *lond hair and sittle #lew into his goatee! &eaving with stress and

#rustration, lackgaard let out another string o# curses when he reali%ed that his Buarry, o#

course, was long gone!

$he *aron would have his head stuck on a ike #or this!

O O O O O

sha "aGere was ainting a ortrait *y Crystalmir ;ake when she saw the unicorns!

(he didnt notice them all at once, chiding ;ayne, 0a##rey, and Rusty, the cooers

children, into sitting relatively still so she could #inish their ortrait! )t was a warm sring day,

#ollowing a *itterly cold winter! $he air was so#t, the leaves on the vallenwood trees #resh and

green with small *udlike *lossoms which scented the air! : gentle *ree%e *lew across the

sur#ace o# the water, creating eddies everywhere! $he youngsters were restless with (ring

#ever, and ket *egging to swim the lake! sha *lended the colors o# their long, #iery-red hair

with a #an *rush, and romised, =0ust a #ew more minutes!>

$hats when sha saw the two snow-white unicorns galloing around Crystalmir ;ake in

the ortraits *ackground! shas aintings were #amous all over :nsalon #or their magical

Buality! (ometimes, i# she did a ortrait o# a child, the shadowy image o# the *rave (olamnic

Anight hed grow u to *ecome stood Gust *ehind the lad in his ortrait!

shas lis arted as she looked u at the real lake shed Gust catured in oils, and her

*rush #ell #rom nerveless #ingers! &er eyes, sometimes golden, sometimes the color o# sahires,

widened now in wonder!


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=y the grace o# Paladine!!!!> she whisered, rising to her #eet, *rushes and alette

#orgotten! :ll three o# the cooers children saw the look on shas #ace and turned around! :s

one, they all gased!

$he unicorns came to a halt not ten #eet #rom sha "aGere! $hree young *oys rode

*are*ack astride the wondrous *easts, #ear and uncertainty lain on their #aces! $he clothing o#

the tallest *oy identi#ied him as a (olamnic sBuire, and the cloth was torn! +ark *ruises covered

the youths #ace! &e looked like hed *een tortured! :ll three *oys looked like theyd *een

through the :*yss!

$he small *oy with long, wavy dark hair and eyes resem*ling her own soke u in a

silvery, thin voice that trem*led! =:re you my sister shaL>

sha "aGere, wi#e o# the most ower#ul mage in Arynn, a woman whod thought shed

seen Gust a*out everything this world had to o##er, was #la**ergasted at the laintive Buestion

coming #rom this #rightened child!

(he walked over in silence, not certain what to say, and heled the child down #rom the

mare! $hen she stood there, staring into his eyes, which changed color #rom sahire to gold

even as she watched! (lowly, sha nodded her head, never more certain o# anything in her li#e!

=Mes, )m sha!!!and ) think!!!that ) may well *e your sister!>

$he other two *oys had gotten down #rom the stallion, and shas attention was once

again drawn to the unicorns! (hed heard a tale once, that the &eroes o# the ;ance had met a

unicorn in +arken 'oodJ somehow she knew that this articular mare was that same magical

creature! $hey were so suernaturally *eauti#ul she cried, weeing oenly!

ne o# the small red-headed children made a so#t cry, and then all o# them watched in

rat silence as the unicorns, sensing their task was done, turned and #led around Crystalmir ;ake,

*ack into the woods!


23/410


C3A;TER ONE

Sola"e Tonsh*-. (' AC

>Seven Yea!s Late!?

$he resounding crash sounded like the gods had droed another #lamingmountain on the lost city o# )star!

0asryn (torm slowly got to his #eet, staring in dis*elie# at what had once *een the warm,

#riendly common room o# the )nn o# the ;ast &ome! Colored shards #rom the stained glass

windows tinkled, raining down everywhere! 8ather e$pensivestained glass windows, shied

all the way #rom Palanthas! (lintered wood #rom the northern wall was strewn across the

hardwood #loor, which ;aura "aGere, and $ika her mother *e#ore her, had once olished until it

gleamed! $a*les and chairs were overturned, the lace settings lying in ieces on the red linen

ta*lecloths! $he *oy still had utensils in his right hand! Now they too, #ell #rom his num*

#ingers and clattered on the #loor!

$he young mages #irst coherent thought was,!y enemies have finally found me. :s he

contemlated what kind o# monstrous creature could *e ower#ul enough to wreck the inn,

mentally rearing himsel# to throw u a (hield sell, his eyes slowly #ocused, and his shar

mind at last registered what he was looking at!

;ying in a huge hole where the wall used to *e was a strange contration comosed o#

steel rods, torn red canvas, and a u##ing iron #urnace! rown shingles #rom the roo# continued

to rain down as the machines *oiler whistled, shooting out steam! :midst all this, a small,

sBueaky voice rose u #rom the center o# the wreckage!

=Con#ounded(el#releasingseat*elts)nevershouldhavetrustedCousinnoshtodesignthem,>

a high-itched voice grum*led! (traed into the ilots seat was a gnome, his long white *eard


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*ristling, his nose and cheeks turning a *right shade o# ru*y, his small, udgy #ingers struggling

with the stras o# a *right orange sa#ety harness! :s 0asryn watched, another small eIlosion


25/410


went o## in #ront o# the machine! : large white canvas sack Buickly #illed with comressed air,

and walloed the ilot in his #ace and uer torso! ;ittle legs kicked, and some more color#ul

eIletives on the scienti#ic anatomy o# kites were mu##led! : warning la*el read Mount

Nevermind Airbag Co., Inc. Guaranteed to inflate

automatically on impact. (Warranty Void if not

installed according to Instructional Supplement 86-C,

or installed in Unregistered Land, Sea, or Air

Vehicles.)

=&eyyou oy etmeouttahere>

0asryn *linked! (till reared to cast a shield sell to rotect himsel# should the gnomes

contration eIlode yet again@a distinct ossi*ility@another art o# his mind a*sently

wondered i# the internal organs o# a gnome were ingredients in any o# ;aura "aGeres recies,

#or the $averns longtime rorietress was surely going to murder *oth o# them #or this! $he

oor, haless *oy was even now rearing his eIcuse in his mind! K2ut, 3aura, it "asnt my

fault0 8eally0

$hats when 0asryn noticed the *right red canvas *ehind the ilot moving, and a second,

mu##led voice sBuealed! =h*eHuiet

;aura was de#initely going to *ean him #or this with her #rying an, a #amily heirloom

shed inherited #rom her mother! )t was one reason 0asryn always memori%ed the (hield sell

*e#ore coming to hel out at the inn! Aeeing the *ooks, moing the #loors, washing dishes,

and setting the ta*les #or the lunch crowd was how the nineteen-year-old mage earned money #or


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his ucoming adventuring career! 'ith Palin "aGere as his *rother-in-law and mentor, 0asryn

had a lot to live u to!

$he traed gnome ilot ushed aside the o##ending air*ag and remem*ered to slow his

seech down, a reBuirement when trying to communicate with the other races on Arynn! :#ter

all, not everyone had the uniBue a*ility to communicate as much in#ormation as Buickly and

e##iciently as gnomes

=&ey you 'hite Ro*e &el us get down #rom here> the ilot demanded, trying to

undo the *uckles to his harness with one hand, while holding the air*ag away #rom his #ace with

the other! ='ho said you could stick a treehouse right in the middle o# my #light athL

n*elieva*le +idnt you register this inn with the "ount Nevermind uilding, (a#ety, and

Qoning CommissionL &ey &uman )m talking to you +o some hocus-ocus and get us

down #rom here>

0asryn *linked twice, as i# trying to con#irm that this wasnt a *ad dream! &e shook his

head, weighing the otential #or disaster *y casting a sell, versus heling out manually! $he

*oy Buickly decided the latter was sa#er than trying to sellcast around sensitive gnome

contrations that #lew into the *uildings! $he assenger gnome, dressed in a small, woolen white

ro*e, had other ideas! "oving #orward to hel, 0asryn suddenly stoed dead in his tracks! &e

recogni%ed the hand-gestures and the language o# .ldritchJ the strange, sidery-sounding

sylla*les that, when chanted correctly, called uon the magic o# Arynn!

A (nome mage9 *alin never mentionedthis :o" + know+m dreaming0

$he young mages arentice almost *acked u, and then reali%ed that nothing would

save him #rom a massive eIlosion caused *y that angry-looking *oiler, couled with a sell

miscast *y a gnome! .ven the ilot, reali%ing what his comanion was a*out to do, started to

anic!

=N+N$ the gnome mage resonded, a#ter

comleting the incantation swi#ter than any mage hed ever heard! (lowly, the air o# them


27/410


*egan rising into the air, #loating gently u #rom the small, leather *ucket seats! $hen, they

stoed their uward movement, their sa#ety harnesses still #irmly anchoring them into the #lying

machine!

=os $hat doesresent a ro*lem,> he muttered!

0asryn sighed with relie#! : levitate sell! &ed only cast a levitate sell $he *oy had

hal#-eIected to *e engul#ed *y an incendiary #ire*all!

=m!!!;ad Could you erhas cut these strasL> the mage asked in a kindly, elderly

man voice! =$heres a good lad!>

Nodding Buickly, 0asryn aroached, ulling his silver-chased throwing dagger #rom an

arm sheath he ket hidden under his right sleeve! $he dagger was a mages weaon o# last

resort, should his magic #ail him #or some reason! Cean lackgaard at Castle Ravenwood had

taught 0asryn how to roerly use it, *e#ore hed escaed #rom Neraka seven srings ago! Palin

had since enchanted the *lade #or him, *ut what 0asryn needed right now was its keen edge!

Huickly, he sliced through the tough canvas stras, and the two gnomes resumed their uward

motion, #loating toward the ceiling!

= the ilot grum*led loudly! =:o"whostheNincomooL>

=h,sto*ellyaching,>


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u arcane knowledge #ar #aster than any o# his eers! $heir eyes also changed color, #rom

sahire to a rich gold, deending on the light, or their mood!

='hat!!!) mean!!!whos going to reair the wallL> 0asryn asked laintively, gesturing to

the wreckage o# the common room! lass crunched under#oot as he walked! =;auras going to

serve me as tonights secial #or this>

=+ont you worry, lad,>


29/410


Actually, it waselves from the nearby forest of ;ualinesti that originally helped the

humans build this uni)ue settlement, 0asryn thought, *ut held his tongue! &e was in enough

trou*le as it was! 0asryn was going to say something a*out ;auras ta*le and lates, and then

thought *etter o# it! )t wouldnt do any good at all! (nomes, in ;auras common room + am so

dead.

=$he $ower o# 'ayreth,> ne**ich answered, thum*ing at his *rother over his shoulder!

=) was taking nincomoo here to the tower #or his $est o# &igh (orcery!>


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$he teenaged *oy nodded in understanding! &ed recently taken his own $est, a year

ast! )t had *een grueling, and otentially deadly, *ut hed le#t Palin no choice in the matter!

0asryn had ieced together an incomlete arcane scroll hed #ound in a sho in &aven, and

learned how to take magical #light! $he laws o# the Conclave o# 'i%ards were strictJ once an

arentice mage was otentially caa*le o# throwing #ire*alls or lightning *olts@the same rank

sell as #lying@he was reBuired to go to 'ayreth to attemt the $est o# &igh (orcery!

0asryn walked over to the ta*le! =Moure really o##-course! $his isnt 'ayreth! K$is

(olace!>

=:ha>

=) can tooread a ma, you hal#-*aked eIcuse #or a mage 'e were #lying right over

'ayreth

=:*out to crash into it, you mean>


31/410


enough, ) can increase steam ower *y 126 ercent Course, that means getting a red dragon like

Pyro to *reathe into the intake ort o# the engine!!!you dont haen to know where ) can #ind a

cooperativered dragon, *y any chanceL>

ut young 0asryn was drooling over the ma like a go*lin over wenches in an all-night

tavern! =$he sta## o# 0oman Noothschoan was an arti#act that could control the reternatural

element o# :ir!!!one o# #our such staves cra#ted *y good wi%ards during the :ge o# +reams@>

$hat was when the door to the $avern slammed oen with enough #orce to shake the

walls! 0asryn looked u and saw his doom! $he thin, gently aging #ace o# ;aura "aGere turned

three shades o# urle! ehind her were 0asryns sister, sha, and his master, Palin!

='ha!!!what!!!0:(RMN ($R", '&:$ &:F. M +N. $ "M )NNL> ;aura

demanded, her eyes *ulging out o# her #ace! (he was *reathing hard, her whole *ody shaking

with indignant rage! =$he wall "y windows "y #ine Palanthian orcelain dishes>

='hat in the name o# Arynns three moons is that thingL> Palin "aGere asked,

thunderstruck! (lowly, his ga%e rested on the gnome glider sticking hal#way into the common

room! ='here did!!!how!!!h! nomes!>

Palin had said that last word as i# that eIlained everything, and in #act, it did! Palin ut a

calming hand on his sisters shoulder to restrain her! =Calm down, ;aura!>

=C:;" +'NL> ;aura screamed, shrugging o## her *rothers hand and taking two

stes #orward! =C:;" +'N P:;)N, ;A :$ $&)( P;:C. '&:$ (P.;; +)+ M

$.:C& $&:$ A)+L &' $ (""N N".(L $&. P;:C. ;A( ;)A. :

CMC;N. &)$ )$>

:ctually, 0asryn re#lected that there really "asa sell #or summoning gnomes, *ut he

didnt know it, and roclaiming his innocence wouldnt hel at all, so instead he swallowed hard

and didnt say anything!

=;emme see ;emme see> a small, sBueaky voice suddenly ied into the room, as two

small #igures sBuee%ed ast the adult humans to get a good look! ne was a #emale kender with

a long, *ouncing, light-*rown onytail! $he other was a small *oy o# eleven summers, with a


32/410


head o# latinum *lond hair and a smile as *right as the sun! Aalistaire (wordhawk, little *rother

to Anight o# the Crown (ir "arkham (wordhawk! :ll three *oys lived with 0asryns sister and

her hus*and, occuying lin "aGeres old room! Aalie and his kender al, (hyla Pouch#inder,

were the *ane o# 0asryns eIistence, snatching his enchanted dagger and tiny *ags o# sell

comonents when he wasnt looking!

sha gra**ed the *oy *y the collar o# his yellow tunic *e#ore he could get all the way

into the room! =Aalie, no $heres glass everywhere (tay *ack>

No*ody stoed the kender, however! .yes widening, (hyla walked right u to the

gnomes glider, asking a *arrage o# Buestions! =h *oy : #lying whatchamacallit :ll the way

#rom "ount Nevermind &ow high does it goL Can you #ly #astL ) *et you can out-#ly a dragon

in this thing Can ) go #or a rideL Aalistaire and ) love to #ly, *ut 0asryn only casts the #lying

sell on us when hes not in a rotten mood, which he gets into sometimes when hes studying,

and hes always studying@>

=:o, you cannot go #lying in my kite,> ne**ich told her in an eIaserated tone o# voice,

shaking his little #ist, his white *eard *ristling! =Nonono Please, stay away #rom there )ts

*roken enough 'ho let this kender inL>

=(hyla Pouch#inder,> she said *y way o# introduction, shaking the gnomes hand, and

coming away with a small leather case, a tiny toolkit, a*out the si%e o# a thie#s lockick set!

=)m #rom &ylo, *ut ) was *orn in Aendermore, right *e#ore "alys the dragon got nasty and

*urned everything to the ground! (he killed my mom and *rothers, and every*ody got sad, so

now Po makes me carry daggers as well as a hooak! K$is a hooak o# dragon-slaying, really

ncle $as used it to slay the dragon o#@>

=immethat> ne**ich eIclaimed, snatching *ack his toolkit! $he ilot shot his

*rother a dirty look! =Mou see what youve gotten us into, #lying o## to 'ayreth $owerL Now

were invaded *y kender>

=ne kender does not constitute an invasion, ne**ich,>


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=nes as *ad as ten +ont you have an arcane sray reellent or somethingL>

ne**ich shot *ack!

=6$cuseme,> Palin cut in imeriously, steing #orward, holding the hem o# his white

samite ro*e u, so all the de*ris wouldnt tear it! =:rent you

Recogni%ing the head o# his magical rder #rom Palins descrition, the gnome mage

*rightened into a smile and o##ered the archmage his hand! =Mou must *e ;ord Palin :n honor

to meet you, sir>

=)m sure,> Palin said, his voice tight, keenly aware o# the damage to his #amilys inn,

and his sister *ehind him, who he knew was a*out ready to strangle *oth o# the haless gnomes!

=

='hy, )ve come to 'ayreth to take my $est, o# course> the diminutive mage relied!

=ot my invitation somewhere!!!!>

Palin held u a hand! =+ont *other, )m the one who sent it to you! ;aura continued, clenching her teeth! =$his inns *een in our #amily #or

generations "y arents le#t it to me>

=:nd in all that time, why did no*ody register this lace with the "ount Nevermind

+eartment o#@C&> ne**ich sBuealed as 0asryn slaed his hand!


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=.Inay on the Nevveraymind ay@> 0asryn warned him! $hen, he lowered his voice!

=Mour *rothers toast! "y sister-in-laws going to serve him u as stew tonight>

=Mour sister-in-lawL> ne**ich inBuired!

$he *oy sighed! ='ell, whatever you call it when my sisters married to ;auras *rother

@>

=N, ) ');; N$ . H).$, P:;)N + M AN' '&:$ ($:)N.+-;:((

')N+'(

;aura turned on one heel, and stormed o## u the stes! $he wooden *anister creaked as

she gried it, the stes echoed with her assing #oot#alls! 0asryn suddenly *reathed a sigh o#

relie#! &e nodded in Palins direction!

=Moure getting *etter at those charm sells, "aster!>

Palin held a single #inger u to his lis and shushed his uil! $hen he turned his #ull

attention to the sell enned into the gnomes *ook, his interest aroused! =$his incantation is

intriguing! +id you come u with it yoursel#L>


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=0asryn,> sha *egan, walking u to her younger *rother! =)m taking Aalistaire home!

Mou hel clean this lace u! )ll send "arkham over later to hel!>

=$hanks, sha,> 0asryn relied! $his was de#initely an interesting morning $he *oy

turned his #ull attention to ne**ichs ma, which was #uel #or his dreams o# adventures with

"arkham (wordhawk and arnet )rondelve! :t last, they had a treasure worth going a#ter, like

the #a*led +ragonlances


36/410


C3A;TER TWO

$revlors lungs were *ursting! $he small *oy was lashed to a wooden lank, his

wrists tied *ehind his *ack, with a length o# roe wound tight around his torso, down his legs,

and knotted at his ankles! Reluctantly, $revlor let the last o# his air go, and watched as the

*u**les #loated toward the shining sur#ace o# the water, so very #ar away!

lue cret u the corners o# his eyes until it #illed his vision! $hen, the color *lack

relaced it! &e had to *reathe, and oened his mouth to draw water into his lungs!

'ater roared, and $revlor coughed, hacking, deserately trying to draw air into his chest!

$he *oy alternately coughed and sucked oIygen into his strained lungs! &e didnt know how

much longer he could take this!

='hat were the last two words he saidL> the harsh adult voice asked, comletely devoid

o# ity or comassion!

$revlor wracked his *rain #or the in#ormation the mage wanted, *ut the truth was, he Gust

couldnt remem*er! )t was a assing comment in the )nn o# the ;ast &ome! (trange, sidery-

sounding words, #our o# them! &e coughed the last o# the water u, and managed to get out,

=Tepul Ast!!!!>

=Tepul Ast!!!"hat9> +anvil


37/410


='RN :N('.R> the mage screamed, and lowered his hand!

=:6+:0 P;.:(.> $revlor yelled, Gust as the *oard he was tied to lunged dee into the

lake again! &ed wasted his chance to draw a #ull *reath, and hed screamed! &is lungs were

only hal#-#ull $here was no way hed make it the #ull two minutes when +anvil #inally let him

*reathe again!

$revlors chest was tight, his lungs *urning! $he *oy sBuirmed, deserately hoing #or

slack, *ut there was none! $he +ark Anights had tied his *onds too tight! :ll he could do was

wriggle his #ingers and toes, with no hoe o# getting #ree! $he *oy let a little o# his recious air

go, and watched as the air *u**les #loated to the sur#ace! &e could see the sun, knew air was

there, Gust out o# reach! +arkness cret u the sides o# his vision again, and he tried hard to

concentrate!!!!

Trevlor "as dressed as a street urchin, "earing a kneelength tunic of blue cotton, belted

at the "aist "ith a length of rope, bare legs and bare feet. The proprietress "as a kindly lady in

her middle years, "ho took pity on the poor, and fed street children like him kitchen scraps.


38/410


openly, albeit in lo" voices, so no other adults could overhear, right in front of the t"o children.

As long as Trevlor kept )uiet, they left him alone.

Off to Trevlors right "as 3aura, arms folded, tapping her foot impatiently. The young

mages master, *alin !aere, "as studying a tome of magic, discussing the fine points of an

incantation "ith a gnome, "ho also "ore a "hite robe. All the shards of broken glass "ere

collected into a "ooden bo$, "ith the s)uare of a missing "indo" open to the verdant

1allen"ood boughs ust outside, and the bright blue sky peeking bet"een the ne" spring leaves.

The "reckage of a recent disaster involving a gnome glider had been cleaned up, "ith most of

the damage repaired, all of the debris longsince s"ept up. The "ooden floor had been mopped

and polished "ith a fresh coat of "a$. All that remained "as for the t"o &hite 8obes to repair

3auras stained glass "indo".

The young magic apprentice "as smiling, stabbing his finger at the aged parchment, and

trying to convince his friends to go on a )uest of some sort. 'eated there in the booth "as a

human /night of 'olamnia, brother to the small boy /alistaire, a mountain d"arf dressed in the

clothes of a forgeman, and the female kender, 'hyla, "ho had been so kind to Trevlor and had

first introduced him to 3aura !aere.

The scroll "as a map, depicting the "estern portion of Ansalon, "ith markings over the

island of 'outhern 6rgoth, and funnylooking "riting inscribed all over it. 8unes ran across the

top of the map in large, bold letters, resembling the runes "ritten on the spines of magic tomes

in Danvil elcrafts library back home.

The young mage opened his mouth, pointing at the large runes at the top, saying the

"ords !aster Danvil "anted. =!!!Te-ul Ast #oman Duma2!!!the lost staff "as entombed "ith

him!!!!>

$revlor was coughing, deserately trying to draw air into his strained lungs, and hacked

u water instead! :*ove him was the *right, *lue sky, daled with #lu##y-white clouds! +imly,

the *oy reali%ed he was *ack a*ove the sur#ace o# the water again! )nstead o# the Huestion,


39/410


$revlor heard "aster +anvil seaking to another man! :#ter a moment, he recogni%ed the voice

o# his knight, (ir Cean lackgaard, and the distinctive sound o# chainmail rattling as he walked!

=@you kill my age, and )ll *urn your sell*ooks in a *on#ire out in the castle courtyard

when we get *ack> (ir Cean was grousing! +anvil

=)n#ormationyouneedL> lackgaard snaed in a very dangerous, tight voice! =+ont

you mean in#ormation the OrderneedsL>

=Mes, o# course,> the mage relied Buickly! =$his intelligence is vital to the $horn

Anights, ) assure you, lackgaard!>

=$he ThornAnights,> Cean growled! :#ter a moment, he continued! =Mou know,

='earing the ash gray o# cremated death has its advantages, my dear Catain,> +anvil

relied! $revlor was dimly aware that hed *een lying there, lashed tight to the *oard, #loating in

the sweet air #or a long time now! $revlors *reathing was under control, and he saw the two

men talking on the shore! $revlor ket silent, hoing +anvil wouldnt remem*er to continue the

torture, raying that Cean would rescue him #rom the sorcerers clutches!

=) am now #ree to use incantations and enchantments #rom all three rders o# magic,

including the sell*ooks ) long ago con#iscated #rom the Red Ro*e wi%ard (erannon, which

allows me to maintain an illusion that hides us all!>


40/410


=Mou think its easy, hiding two-score knights, retainers, and an overgrown dragon9

Moure #ree to take over sellcasting anytime, Catain! ntil then, leave me to my work!>

='hat have you learned thus #arL> Cean asked in an eIaserated, de#eated tone! &e did

need +anvil told

him! $he mage turned his head *ack in $revlors direction, the look in his eyes cold and deadly

as a serents! $revlors *reathing grew harsh, as the *oy reali%ed his time was growing short!

="arkham (wordhawks now a Anight o# the Crown, assigned to the outost here! $heir main

Go* seems to *e serving as an honor guard #or the $om* o# the ;ast &eroes! :ll three o# them

have lived with the "aGeres since they #led the castle seven years ago! 0asryns arenticed to

Palin "aGere himsel#, and "aGeres once more taken the mantle as &ead o# the rder o# 'hite

Ro*es! $he *oys owers have grown considera*ly! &es already assed his $est, reortedly at

the age o# siIteen summers>

lackgaard nodded! =Mou always said the *rat had talent,> he grudgingly o##ered! n

the night 0asryn (torm Fon ladmere had heled the (wordhawk children escae the castles

dungeons, hed cast his #irst real sell! lackgaard set his Gaw! 8ainbo"s! lasted, da%%ling,

mesmeri%ing rain*ows that knocked lackgaard and his three men unconscious! :s i# that

werent enough, the *oy had somehow summoned a air o# live unicorns, which #rightened their

warhorses and carried the *oys as #ar away as (olace! lackgaard had at #irst thought the

magical *easts were an illusion, *ut when +anvil reminded him, not #or the #irst time! =n#ortunately,

the *oy ran away when resented with the uniBue oortunity to Goin the rder o# lack Ro*es!

$he late *aron called his adoted son weak and ungrate#ul!>

=)ll agree with that,> lackgaard grum*led! =aron Fon ladmere adoted the *oy,

made him his heir, all *ecause *y chance the whel resem*led his murdered son .dmund! Mou


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taught him the secrets o# magic, and instead o# making that human sacri#ice you told me o#, he

disaeared!>

=:nd now we need him *ack,>

'ith those #inal words, $revlors Anight, who the *oy loved and showed true loyalty to,

stalked o## into the trees, leaving him to +anvil

=Tepul Ast Joman Dumak0 Tepul Ast Joman Dumak0> the *oy shouted at the to o# his

lungs! =$hats all, ) swear>

+anvils emerald eyes grew wide at this new in#ormation, and as cold as that recious

stone! $he sorcerer nodded arovingly! =$here, now! $hat wasnt so di##icult, was itL>

$he *oys *reathing grew more intense, #ully eIecting the mage to lower his hand again,

and the lank he was tied to with it! )nstead, the mage soke another two words in that same

strange language o# wi%ards, and the *oard #loated sideways, *ack toward the shore, then

lowered, settling gently into the sand! +anvil knelt down and drew a long, wicked-looking

dagger with a sinuous *lade #rom a sheath at his *elt! $he *oy nearly screamed, suddenly a#raid

o# +anvil sta**ing him! $revlor calmed when the mage simly cut him loose #rom his *onds!

=&:N(>


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=Ja, (ir "age,> the knight relied, and ulled the *oy roughly to his #eet! $he child

shivered #rom the cold air! &is hands still tied *ehind his *ack, as he was marched *are#oot

through the woods, over shar tree roots and twigs! $hey came to the largest tent in the Nerakan

encamment, where two knights stood guard outside the entrance! $hey nodded at &ans and let

them ass!

)nside, the tent was sartan! $he #ew #urnishings $revlor himsel# had set u, as the

catains age*oy! $here was a cot, an oak chest with *anded iron and a *rass adlock, a

orta*le ma ta*le made o# inewood, and several wooden stools to sit on! : air o# oil lanterns

hung #rom a cross*eam and rovided illumination! $his comleted the entire tents contents!

Cean anoke lackgaard, Anight o# the ;ily, sat on a stool *y the ta*le, on which rested

a *ottle o# dwar# sirits! $he catain held a shot glass in one hand, his gauntlets removed, #olded

into his thick leather *elt! Cean swallowed the clear liBuor, and then aused to regard the thin,

trem*ling *oy who stood *e#ore him!

=Remem*er whom you serve, $revlor Cauley ;ockhart,> Cean intoned, dark intent in his

voice!

=) live to serve the rder, my knight,> the *oy answered automatically! &e scu##ed his

*are toes in the dirt and looked down! $he resonse used to *e+ live to serve my )ueen, *ut

$akhisis was now dead, her knighthood renamed!

=+o you reallyL> lackgaard asked sarcastically! &is *rown eyes were cold and dead as


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lackgaard watched the scene coldly, as i# contemlating Gust that! $revlor swallowed,

#eeling the cold steel touch his unrotected neck!

=Mour #ather committed his #irst murder #or the rder when he was a*out your age,

$revlor,> lackgaard eIlained, as i# he were instructing the *oy on roer court etiBuette,

instead o# rearing to order the *oys death! =)ain was told to lure another child, his *est #riend,

to his death!!!or he would *e *eaten to death himsel#! $he *oy, may*e #ourteen summers old,

was the son o# a traitorous shokeeer who ran a sa#ehouse #or the ;egion o# (teel! 'e couldnt

get the traitor, un#ortunately, so the *aron ordered the eIecution o# his son, whom hed #oolishly

le#t *ehind in Neraka!>

Cean oured himsel# another glass o# dwar# sirits, and went on with his narrative! =)ain

watched, crying his eyes out, as ) ersonally *eat that *oy to death with an e*ony Buartersta##!

$hat was the day )ain $omas ;ockhart Goined the guild o# assassins!>

Cean swallowed the shot, and then leaned #orward, resting his el*ows on the ma ta*le!

=:re you caa*le o# serving the rder like your #ather, $revlorL Can you lure a *oy out

into the woods here, so we can cature himL> lackgaard asked in such a way that $revlor

understood a wrong answer would mean his immediate death!

=Ja, my knight,> the *oy answered in a small, meek voice! $he steel #elt shar and cold,

#oremost in the *oys mind!

=$hen youd *etter show me youre caa*le o# *etter work than you have so #ar,>

lackgaard drawled! =$his is a simle esionage mission! athering intelligence and earning

the trust o# a mere child, #or the memory o# the +ark Hueen Mou have the otential to *e #ar

more than your worthless #ather, $revlor! )ve chosen you #or my ersonal age! +o you know

what that meansL>

=Ja, my knight,> the *oy answered, sweat #alling in lines #rom his #orehead! =Mou hoe

to train me as your sBuire someday!>


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=.Iactly right, *oy! +o not disaoint me again, or it will *e your last mistake,>

lackgaard warned! &e signaled &ans to cut the *oy loose!

&ans Buickly and e##iciently withdrew the kni#e #rom the *oys throat, and sawed through

the hem *inding his wrists! $revlor moved his hands to his #ront, ru**ing the circulation *ack!

=$his is the only warning youll get, *oy! Pay closer attention to whats said around you,

and whos doing the talking! Now go )tll *e nochtfallsoon, and the innkeeer will wonder

whats haened to you! $he last thing we need is a search arty out here, looking #or a drowned

child! $he wrong search arty!>

=Ja, my knight,> $revlor relied, and Buickly ran #rom the tent!

=+o you think itll work, CatainL> &ans inBuired care#ully! Cean lackgaard did not

like to have his orders Buestioned, *ut he also knew this entire mess was lanned *y lackgaard groused! &e slammed the small shot glass onto the wooden

ta*leto! =$he ;ord o# the:ochtersonally asked me to return 0asryn Fon ladmere to Neraka,

and )m not a*out to disaoint him!>


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C3A;TER T3REE

0asryn was tending ta*les that evening when he noticed his dagger was missing!

:gain!

$he young mage looked at a *ooth *y the common rooms #irelace! $he cheer#ul orange

#lames crackled, chasing away the chill o# early sring and silling #lickering light on his #riends,

who were enGoying a meal! 0asryn Goined them whenever he could, detailing what he knew o#

the wondrous sta## calledArion! &ed already convinced the dwar#, arnet )rondelve, that there

was a #ortune in steel coins and recious gems *uried in the vaults, and hed #inally convinced

"arkham that the Buest was worthwhile, as there were *ound to *e evil villains to #ight, and

enchanted swords to *e had, entom*ed down with the lack Ro*e mage 0oman Noothschoan!

$he lively, talkative kender, (hyla Pouch#inder, was Gust in this #or the adventure!

&eck, they allwere 0asryn had studied as a war wi%ard! $he com*at sells were mainly

learned in sel#-de#ense, stemming #rom o# his old #ear o# aron Fon ladmere tracking him

down, *ut there was another reason! "arkham, who was like a *rother to him, was all set #or an

eIciting li#e with the (olamnic Anighthood, and their #riend arnet made it clear hed #ollow

"arkham into the deths o# the :*yss! Naturally, 0asryn was not going to let "ark and arn go

stalking o## into danger without his magic to *ack them u $wo #ighters and a mage made a

ower#ul team! (hyla was also use#ul to #ind hidden assageways and treasure!

KCourse, the advantages o# having a kender tag along also had its downside! .very time

0asryn or one o# the others turned around, something was missing!

=%tter,> the *oy ronounced, holding his hand out in the direction o# his #riends ta*le!

)nstantly, one o# (hylas ouches tore #ree #rom her *elt and came #lying across the common

room to 0asryns hand! &e oened the small leather ouch and removed his silver-chased


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throwing dagger! "aster Palin had laced two enchantments on the masterwork *lade to make it

more deadly, and also added a dweomer o# returning, knowing the *oy hung around a kender!

0asryn slid the dagger *ack into its sheath under his right sleeve and started walking *ack

to the ta*le, when ;aura walked right u to him and ain#ully inched his shoulder through his

cotton ro*es!

=) thought ) told you no magic in my common room,> she hissed!

;ooking guilty, the teenager held u the kenders ouch! =ut (hyla took@>

=No eIcuses, 0ase,> ;aura ordered, re#using to hear his reasons! =0ust get *ack to work!>

=Mes, maam,> 0asryn sighed, and turned in the direction o# a arty o# rangers, to ask i#

they needed anything more, when ;aura touched his el*ow again! $he *oy looked u, and saw

concern on her #ace!

=&ave you seen $revlor tonightL>

$he young mage shook his head! )t took a second to remem*er whom she re#erred to,

and then he reali%ed it was the little urchin Aalistaire hung around with! =No, ) havent seen@

'ait, ) think Aalie said they were going to swim u in the lake this a#ternoon!>

;aura ursed her lis, arms akim*o! =+id they ever come *ackL>

0asryn nodded! =Aalie came home hours ago, and ) guess $revlor mustve come *ack

with him! &es a street child, ro*a*ly wandering around town somewhere! &ell turn u,

;aure! &e always does!>

$he middle-aged innkeeer smiled a weak grin! =Moure ro*a*ly right! &ell show u

when he gets hungry!>

=)ll let you know i# ) see him,> 0asryn told her Buickly, and went over to the ranger, who

was signaling #or a re#ill on his mug o# ale!

;aura meandered *ack to her kitchen, greeting her guests on the way! 0asryn returned

with a itcher o# ale #or the ranger arty, *e#ore #inally making it *ack to "arkham and the

others! (tealing a Buick glance to make sure ;aura wasnt watching, 0ase slid into the *ooth neIt

to arnet! &e tossed the leather ouch in (hylas direction, who caught it on re#leI!


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=$hanks, 0asryn> the kender told him with a *road smile! =ee, youre getting real good

at #inding things! Mou wouldve made a good kender>

=$hank you,> 0asryn relied, taking the comliment #or what it was, instead o# the insult

it sounded like! =(o, what do you guys thinkL>

=)t sounds like it would *e worth it to make the tri,> arnet told him, wiing his *eard

o# dwar# sirits on the sleeve o# his #orgemans shirt! =0ust to check it out, you understand!

'ell also need to *uy that ma #rom the gnome!>

=:lready working on it,> 0asryn con#ided with a losided grin! =) soke to ne**ich,

trying to convince him to come along! &es more interested in archaeology! &is cousin

noshalot seciali%es in mummies and tom*s and stu##! $hats where the ma came #rom!>

='hat i# the gnome doesnt want to come, or re#uses to sell his maL> "arkham asked!

0asryn noticed the tense tone in his old #riends voice, the eIression on his #ace! "ark had

something on his mind, and the *oy knew hed tell him when he #elt like it!

(ounding eIcited, 0asryn whisered consiratorially! =)n that case, dont worry! ) coied

it!>

"arkham ut his mug down on the old wood ta*le with a thunk! : little ale silled,

running down the ewter cu! =Mou coied itL 0asryn (torm, thats the same as stealing>

$he young mages #ace #ell! =No, it isnt ne**ich only uses the ma to make #light

lans>

=:nd it Gust haens to lead to a treasure in arcane arti#acts> "arkham retorted! &e

ointed his #inger at him! =Mou Gust said his cousin might have a ro#essional interest in it! 'e

cant go a#ter this #ind i# the right#ul owner o# the ma wants to>

0asryn made a #ace! &e was stung, #eeling all his dreams sliing away on a technicality

o# the "easure, which even white mages didnt #ollow! $he rder o# 'hite Ro*es uheld

causes that were Right and 0ust and ood, *ut the rimary motivation o# all three rders o#

magic were the same the ursuit o# more magical knowledge!


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=+ont *e such a stick in the mud, "ark ;ook, )m trying to convince ne**ich to

come along, *ecause youre right! &e doeshave a share in what we #ind down there!>

=&.M, M> a huge oI o# a man called #rom a near*y ta*le! $he young mage looked

u, and saw $haddeus ;ongarm waving him over! $he *ig #armer was dressed in mud-slattered

overalls, and he didnt look too hay!

=.Icuse me,> 0asryn told "arkham, got u, and Buickly dashed over to the other ta*le!

=Mes, "ister ;ongarmL>

=;ad, i# youre gonna hang out with yer #riends instead o working #or ;aura, lease let

her know so she can dock your ay,> the man said gru##ly! &is wi#e didnt look too leased,

either! )nwardly, 0asryn kicked himsel#, reali%ing they were right! &ed *een neglecting his

duties ever since hed laid eyes on that treasure ma!

=(orry, sir! 'hat can ) get youL> 0asryn Buickly o##ered!

=ur meals, lad! ;aura took our orders a while ago,> $haddeus told him! =) know shes

*usy, *ut@>

=) understand, sir! )ll go see whats haened, right away,> 0asryn romised, and ran o##

toward the kitchen! &e oened the door, and #ound ;aura "aGere *y the water sigot! (he was

using a *rush to com* $revlors unruly *lond hair, while the *oy sBuirmed and looked

uncom#orta*le! Near*y, three ots on the stove were *oiling over! $he mage gra**ed a thick rag

and removed the ots #rom the #lames!

=;aura, the ;ongarms are waiting #or their meal, and this stu## is *urning,> the *oy said,

sounding #ra%%led!

=h, )m sorry! $revlor #inally turned u, and the ;ongarms said they might *e

interested in taking him in! ) was Gust getting him cleaned u! 0ase, run to the antry and *ring

them a *ottle o# Hualinesti wine! $ell them its on the house, and )m sorry #or the delay!>

0asryn nodded and oened the antry door, thinking how unusual this was! Hualinesti

wine was rare now, and Buite eIensive! ;aura had several cases o# it down in the wine cellar,

#rom *e#ore Hualinost was #looded and drowned! :ll the elves had returned to their ancient


49/410


ancestral home in (ilvanost, or so the tales went!

=&ush, )m Gust making you resenta*le, is all,> ;aura chided, utting the *rush down

and straightening his tunic! =:t least youre clean! +id you go swimming in your clothesL>

=Mes,> the *oy lied! &is voice Buivered, ever so slightly! &ow could he tell this nice

woman that his knight and "aster

=No,> $revlor answered, keeing his answers short and direct! $he less these eole

susected, the *etter! &is mouth was dry as he thought a*out what he was a*out to do, reaying

all their kindness *y *etraying them! )s that what his #ather )ain had #elt, years agoL +id he lay

with his childhood #riend, stay over #or suer, never saying a word, knowing his #riend was

going to *e dead soonL

=oys,> ;aura said to hersel#, shaking her head! (he sooned the #ood onto the lates,

added a loa# o# #reshly *aked *read, and stuck a small #lower in a thin clay vase in the center o#

the tray to make it look #estive! $hen, she icked u the tray, laden with leasant-smelling

suer, and urged the *oy toward the door! =o o $heyre waiting! Now remem*er, the


50/410


;ongarms are #armers, so theyll ro*a*ly eIect you to do some chores! $heyve raised three

children, and ) know theyre good eole!>

$revlor nodded, as ;aura rushed him across the common room to a ta*le with a middle-

aged coule sitting at it! $he man had red hair and a thick *eard, with wavy hair! &is #ace was

wrinkledJ his large hands callused #rom hard work in the #ields! $he woman was thin, with so#t

*lond hair tied u in a *un! (he had crows #eet around her eyes when she smiled at him!

=ood evening, $haddeus,> ;aura greeted with a wide smile and warmth in her eyes!

(he graciously set the lates and *owls in #ront o# them! =(orry #or the delay! ) was *usy *ack

there!>

=Huite all right, ;ore! Mour momma would *e roud o# you,> $haddeus told her! (he

stared at $revlor! =$his the *oyL>

;aura nodded! =:ye! $his is $revlor! &e was orhaned when the Anights o# Neraka

*urned down his village! 'e #ound him wandering around (olace!>

=Poor little mite,> :deline remarked, looking the child u and down! =+id you wander

cross the countryside in your *are #eetL Come sit *y me, dear! ;aura "aGere, whats wrong with

youL Couldnt you at least get the oor *oy a air o# shoesL

;auras Gaw hung oen #or a second! $ruth *e told, she had tried to get $revlor to wear

shoes, *ut the *oy had re#used, comlaining that they were too tight and hurt his #eet! (hed also

Gust #ed him two *owls o# stew! Anowing *etter than to argue, the innkeeer Gust smiled and

turned *ack to the kitchen, thank#ul the coule had taken an immediate liking to the *oy!

=0asryn (to hanging around with your #riends and get to work Pug mahons

signaling #or a re#ill on his grog> ;aura hissed while assing the other ta*le, and dashed *ack

into the kitchen!


51/410


C3A;TER FOR

0asryn (torm, where is my maL> the little gnome inventor asked indignantly, his

*ushy white eye*rows #urrowed, ointed red ca askew on to o# his head! ne**ich stood in

the small *edroom doorway, #lanked *y "arkham, arnet, and sha, who were standing in the

hallway, all wearing eIressions o# dis*elie# and anger!

$he young mage looked u #rom his sell*ook, con#usion and annoyance miIed on his

#ace! &e and "arkham had Gust had an argument, a#ter the knight revealed that his commanding

o##icer had ordered weekend asses cur*ed, and "ark wouldnt *e a*le to come home all the

time, like he used to! 'hen "ark was a sBuire, Palin "aGere ulled some strings, so "ark

would *e a*le to stay with 0asryn and Aalistaire on weekends, instead o# *unking in the *arracks

with all the other knight-candidates! 'hen "arkham had actually *een knighted, however,

everything changed! Now, 0asryn would *e seeing even less o# his #riend, and the mage hadnt

taken the news too well!

(ulking, 0asryn dove into his tomes o# magic, the one lace he #ound *alance and eace!

$he *oy looked u #rom his small oakwood writing desk, cluttered with scrolls and *ound *ooks,

the closed inkot with various Buills lying neIt to it, and the small golden ring "aster Palin had

given him with the assignment o# identi#ying its magical dweomer correctly!

=.Icuse meL> the teenager asked!

="y mas missing,> ne**ich stated emhatically, toddling right u to the tall wooden

stool 0asryn was sitting on! $he other three came into the cluttered *edroom! Aalistaires toys

lay all over the *eds and #loor, and silled out o# a small cherrywood chest *y the window!

0asryn saw the looks they were all giving him, and knew they susected him o# the#t!

=) dont have it> 0asryn honestly told him! &is ga%e dri#ted #rom the little gnome

inventor to "arkham, arnet, and #inally his sister sha! &e #inally came #ull circle, looking


52/410


ne**ich um#u%%le directly in the eyes! =) swear *y the (ilver "oon, ) gave it *ack to you

when ) was done!!!done using it!>

0asryn had almost admitted that hed copiedit, *ut Buickly caught himsel#, glancing

Buickly in "arks direction #or hel! $he knight nodded, satis#ied!

=&e doesnt have it, ne**ich,> "arkham stated #latly, like an adGudicator ronouncing

Gudgement! =) know 0asryn! 'e grew u together! esides, $he (ilver "oon is his god! No

white mage would make an oath like that and risk losing all his owers!>

"arkham had le#t out the #act that 0asryn had no reason to steal the scroll, not when hed

so unethically made a dulicate! 0asryn sighed with relie#, returning his attention to ne**ich!

=)# its not you, then who else!!!!> ne**ichs almond-*rown eyes suddenly grew wide,

and he eIclaimed, =$he *lasted kender (he was under#oot this morning, as ) was reairing my

kite>

=$hat sounds #ar more likely,> arnet grum*led! "aster +uncan (hadowmaker, the

dwar# he was arenticed to, had assigned arnet the task o# making the relacement steel rods

and other arts ne**ich reBuired to get his glider o## the ground again! &ed *een *usy #or

several days, trying to work while several o# (olaces children watched, and (hyla went oking

around the smithy, ocketing small items as she wandered! =$hat kender would take the #orge i#

it werent so heavy>

=o easy on her,> sha "aGere told them all! Relie# was evident in her voice when she

reali%ed her *rother had *een vindicated, and she sat down on the lower mattress o# the *unk

*eds the (wordhawk *rothers shared! =Aender dont steal things, they Gust take them without

reali%ing what theyre doing!>

=) dont care i# shes a kletomaniac, or the master cat*urgler o# Palanthas,> ne**ich

souted, not reali%ing these good eole had no idea what the scienti#ic term #or a kenders

condition was! &is tiny cheeks u##ed out and turned red! =) Gust want my ma *ack )t has my

#light lans drawn out in intricate detail>


53/410


='ell get your ma *ack, "aster ne**ich, have no #ear,> "arkham told him with all

the con#idence o# a Anight o# (olamnia! =$here are only so many laces (hyla could have

gone!>

=(hes with Aalie and $revlor,> 0asryn told them, shi#ting his weight on the stool! =$hey

went swimming in Crystalmir ;ake this morning! ) told them to get going already, so ) could get

some studying done!>

ne**ich looked u at the tall human *oy susiciously, as i# 0asryn were guilty o# neglect

in the urloinment o# his missing scroll, even i# he werent the culrit who actually stole it!

=:nd you didnt notice her carrying a long, thin scrollcase in her handsL )ts too *ig to #it into

one o# her ouches>

0asryn closed his eyes, concentrating, thinking *ack to that very morning! &e

remem*ered the sBuealing voices o# the two human *oys, gra**ing towels, a *lanket, and a

*ucket! $revlor had a satchel slung over his shoulder, which hed said contained lunch #or all

three o# them, *ut (hyla had held a*solutely nothing! .Icet #or 0asryns small ouch o# cassia,

used #or a charm sell, which hed Buickly snatched *ack!7

=No, ) didnt,> 0asryn told him a#ter a #ew moments! =(hyla wasnt carrying anything!>

=MouresureladL> ne**ich asked! =$his is a kender, #or earsake>

=Huite sure,> 0asryn told him with certainty! =$hey ro*a*ly stoed *y your tent two

watch you work on the glider on their way out o# (olace, and she took the ma then!>

=)ts a kite,> ne**ich corrected! =:nd youre ro*a*ly right, laddie! ;isten!!!um!!!)m

sorry ) susected you! Moure a white ro*ed wi%ard, like my *rother! ) shouldve known *etter!>

0asryn smiled, his voice warm and low! =$hats all right! ) was the logical susect,

having studied your ma so thoroughly!>

$he young mage glanced at his #riend "arkham, then at arnet, *oth o# them sBuirming

uncom#orta*ly! &is #riends were covering #or him, and #or a knight, that must *e un*eara*le!

$he *oys ears turned red! 0asryn cleared his throat, then admitted, =m!!!ne**ich!!!) have a

con#ession to make!>


54/410


ne**ich and sha *oth looked u at that comment! 0asryn #elt *lood rush to his neck

and cheeks, *ut there was nothing #or it! &e Gust hadto come clean! =)!!!um!!!) coied it!>

=Mou coied itL> the little gnome asked! $hen, his #ace *rightened, relie# evident on his

#ace! =Mou made a coy o# my #light lanL $hats wonder#ul>

=Meah, ) did,> 0asryn continued, turning around, and reached #or the shelves a*ove his

desk! NeIt to the scrolls o# *lank archment were #ive or siI wooden scroll cases containing

incantations Palin had given him to study! $he *oy selected one, oened it, and unrolled the

archment #or all to see! =(o, i# you dont get your ma *ack, you can always use this one!>

ne**ich took the ma #rom the *oy, oring over it with a critical eye, and a wide smile

on his #ace! =:ye, the calculations are all here, including my notations on wind velocity and

udra#ts! Mou even added the entire eastern hal# o# :nsalon, with graduations #or mountain

elevations Mou say you did all thisL (hylas voice suddenly called

#rom downstairs, in the wake o# the "aGeres #ront door slamming oen! .very*ody looked u!

= here, (hyla,> sha called, rising #rom Aalistaires *ed! (he crossed the room to

ne**ich, and ut a gentle hand on the to o# the gnomes head! =$ake it easy on her,

ne**ich! )m sure she didnt mean to cause any harm!>

$he kender came *ounding u the stes, and rushed, *reathless, into the room! =oy, am

) glad ) #ound you guys Moure never gonna *elieve@>

='&.R.( "M ":PL> ne**ich *ellowed, cutting her o##!


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(hyla stoed, ut her hands on her his, arms akim*o, and looked o##ended! =Mou lost

your maL Mou really should learn to take *etter care o# your things, ne**ich )# ) werent

around to look a#ter you@>

ne**ich reached #or (hyla *e#ore any*ody could sto him, *ut the sliery kender

*acked u, *ehind the legs o# the tall (olamnic Anight! =A.N+.R '&:$ +)+ M@>

sha *end down and gra**ed ne**ich *y his small shoulders, holding him *ack!

=ne**ich, calm down, )m sure@>

=) dont have your stuid ol ma,> (hyla stated indignantly, eeking out #rom *ehind

"arkhams legs! =) wouldve Gust handed it *ack to you, i# ) did! :nyway, theres more

imortant things ) have to tell you $he *oys were kidnaed>

.very*ody started at this! shas #ace turned ale! ='hatL>

=$hey were kidnaed *y the Anights o# Neraka, down *y the lake,> (hyla eIlained,

*reathless!

=Aender tales,> ne**ich grum*led, not *elieving it! ='hat are +ark Anights doing all

the way out here, in (olaceL>

=$his isnt very #unny, (hyla,> "arkham chided, *ristling at the mere thought that

something aw#ul mightve haened to his little *rother! $he two o# them were the only

survivors o# the (wordhawk #amily!

=)m not Goking, "ark,> (hyla insisted! =) heard them mention the names Catain

lackgaard and Aurt Aoonan that you and 0asryn kee talking a*out! $hey almost had me, too,

*ut ) escaed! No*ody can catch a kender i# we dont want to *e caught!>

0asryn aled at the mention o# those names, his *lue eyes growing wide! (hyla saw her

#riends reaction, and continued, =) really didnt want to leave them, *ut ) #igured some*ody had

to go and get hel!>

=Mou did the right thing, (hyla,> "arkham stated, and then asked, =+id you see which

direction they wentL>


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(hyla nodded! =Northwest, into the woods! $here were a lot o# them, "ark! "ore than

twenty!>

0asryn looked at his #riend, ale as his own ro*es! &is worst #ear had come true! $he *oy

had always susected the *arons men would return #or him, *ut why AalistaireL

=0asryn,> "arkham called, and the young mage looked u! =)m going to reort this to

;ord 'arren! et what you need, and meet me at the garrison!>

'hile he said this, "arkham knelt at a chest *y the #oot o# his *ed! ;i#ting the lid, the

young knight started ulling out the ieces o# his armor and Buickly straing them on! sha

heled! 0asryn went to a high*oy *y the window, oened the *ottom drawer, and removed

(erannons old #orest green elven cloak! &e ut the cloak on over his white ro*e, and then

gra**ed a worn satchel made o# deerskin, and started tossing in things hed need, like his

sell*ook and a #ew eItra magic comonents!

=0ase, Palin took


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&e had never needed to cast theDetect !agiccantri! ;ong ago, (erannon had told 0asryn that

his uncanny a*ility to (ense "agic, the tingling sensation he #elt when he handled enchanted

arti#acts, and how he somehow (ensed when a mage cast a ower#ul sell near*y, was his

naturally! $he Red Ro*e wi%ard had also eIlained that 0asryns innate ower would grow over

the years! &e could ro*a*ly cloudwalk or

=:n hour, at least,> 0asryn told him, a#ter thinking #or a moment!

=Mouve got thirty minutes,> "arkham ordered in a command voice hed only recently

icked u! =)tll take at least that long #or ;ord 'arren to scram*le the knights and #ootmen!

)ll tell the sta*le *oy downstairs to have ust ready #or you! "eet us at the garrisons #ront

gate!>


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=*oy ) get to reort to your commanderL> (hyla asked in a high-itched sBueal, her

onytail *ouncing with Goy, as she #ollowed the armed and armored knight out o# the room!

:#ter theyd le#t, 0asryn slaed the #lat o# his hand down on to o# the oen age, closed

his eyes, and racticed the *reathing eIercise Palin had taught him to Buiet his mind! -alm

do"n. >ou "ont do /alie any good like this. /alie doesnt e$ist. This emergency isnt

happening. Just breathe!!!!

: minute went *y, then two! 0asryn oened his eyes, his mind #ocused on the task o#

memori%ing the comlicated magical #ormulas! $hat morning, hed already memori%ed a #ew

cantris, the+dentifysell, and a #lying incantation #or relaIation a#ter the long hours o# study!

"ost o# those wouldnt do him any good whatsoever in a real com*at situation! $o these he

added nine more sells o# a more destructive nature, and he included ashield#or de#ense!

0asryn had lost track o# the time, *ut he guessed@he hoed@that only hal# an hour had

assed! *robably longer, he reflected. $he good magician Buickly closed his tome o# magic,

stu##ed it into the deerskin satchel, and slung the stra over his shoulder! :#ter a moments

thought, he slied the magical gold ring onto his right hand! $he ring contained two ower#ul

rotective!age Armor dweomers, and right now, 0asryn needed all the rotection he could get!

&e ran down the stes two at a time, kissed his sister on the cheek, and dashed out the

door o# the house! $he )nn o# the ;ast &ome wasnt #ar, across the wooden *ridges that

connected the mighty vallenwood trees and served as the streets o# (olace! Passing eole on

the *oardwalk with hardly a hurried Ke$cuse me, the mage ran to the roe ladder that led down

#rom the inn in the trees to the sta*les at the roots o# the ancient vallenwood! $here stood a

sturdy #rame structure o# inewood, *uilt *y Caramon "aGere himsel#!

:lec Aim*ell, the young sta*le*oy, had already reared 0asryns mount! ust was a

#ine *rown riding horse, #i#teen hands tall, and trained at the :cademy to ignore the weirdness

that surrounded a magician and the miIed scents o# his sell comonents!

=)ve thrown some sulies into the saddle*ags #or you, 0asryn,> the small *lond

sta*le*oy told him! =0ust in case youre out there #ighting the +ark Anights #or a #ew days!>


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=$hank you, :lec,> 0asryn relied, utting his le#t #oot into the stirru, and Guming u

into the *lack cowhide saddle! &e took the reins #orm the *oy and kicked ust in the withers!

)mmediately the horse took o##, racing #or the (olamnic outost on the edge o# (olace!

Not much was *uilt on the ground in this uniBue town, its longtime residents re#erring to

*uild their homes and shos in the mighty vallenwood trees, high a*ove! n the ground itsel#

were sta*les #or horses and animals o# *urden, *arns #or storage o# grain, hay, and other sulies,

a #ew smithies *uilt o# stone, and the #ort that housed the Anights o# (olamnia who guarded the

tom* right neIt to it!

$he #ort itsel# was constructed mostly o# wood, with stone #irelaces! : tall icket #ence

surrounded the enclosure, with lookout towers at all #our corners! )nside were o##icers Buarters,

a main

castle ravenwood illustrated

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