Knight Eternal (A Novel of Epic Fantasy) (Harbinger of Doom Volume 3) by Glenn Thater

Malvegil.
    “ Ob,” boomed Malvegil as
he looked past Claradon. “You stinking gnome bastard. Come here,”
he said, arms outstretched.
    “ Lord Ob to you, you
stinking scum,” Ob said. Ob hopped up on a chair and they embraced
like brothers, smacking each other warmly on the back. Lady
Landolyn looked mortified at the whole exchange.
    “ Do my eyes deceive me?”
said Malvegil as he looked to Artol who stood nearby smiling.
“Artol the Destroyer, The Hammer of Lomion, the Scourge of the
North!”
    “ Those names are old and
worn, Torbin, I’m due for a new one.”
    “ You will have to earn it,
just as the others.” The two men firmly embraced; the requisite
three manly pats on the back each.
    “ But I’ve forgotten my
manners,” said Malvegil. “This vision of loveliness,” grasping his
lady by the arm, “for those who haven’t had the pleasure, is my
consort, the Lady Landolyn.”
    “ Welcome, gentlemen,” she
said, bowing her head politely, though her voice was less than
welcoming.
    When the greetings and introductions were
completed, Gravemere offered to lead the group on a tour of Dor
Malvegil’s sights while dinner was being prepared. He boasted of
Dor Malvegil’s extensive library, well-appointed gallery, and the
impressive views from the eastern terrace.
    Theta gave Claradon a
withering stare that commanded him to speak up. Instead, he
suddenly took great interest in Lord Malvegil’s shoes.
    “ Lord Malvegil,” said
Theta. “We’re on a mission of great urgency. No doubt, we would all
enjoy the hospitality of your fine house, but we must be off this
night. Much is at stake.”
    Malvegil studied Theta,
looking him up and down. “I will speak of this with Lord Eotrus, in
private. In the meantime, you men may enjoy the hospitality of
House Malvegil.” Malvegil grasped Claradon by the arm and led him
from the hall, the public discussion over. Ob followed on their
heels.
     
    “ Who is he?” said
Malvegil, as he, Ob, and Claradon climbed the castle
stairs.
    Claradon hesitated.
“Well—
    “ He is trouble, is what he
is,” said Ob. “He’s a foreigner what calls himself Angle Theta—Lord
Angle Theta, actually. Some folks call him by other
names.”
    “ Never heard of him. Some
upstart, no doubt, who doesn’t yet know his place. I can’t place
his accent. Where is he from?”
    “ Some place far to the
west, or so he says,” said Ob. “All very mysterious, if you ask
me.”
    “ Uncle, Lord Harringgold
sent a raven—”
    “ I’ve had no ravens from
Dor Lomion in weeks,” said Malvegil. “If he sent one, that proves
the system is compromised, as I’ve long suspected. What was the
message?”
    “ Jude was
kidnapped.”
    Malvegil stopped dead on the stairs.
“What?”
    “ Ambushed on the north
road,” said Ob. “A dozen men with him found dead, including some of
our best.”
    “ Jude was taken captive,”
said Claradon.
    “ Captive! On Eotrus lands?
Who did this?”
    “ The stinking Leaguers,”
said Ob. “Heard of them, I trust?”
    Malvegil growled, his jaw set, but said
nothing more until they reached the third floor. “Ransom?”
    “ They
haven’t asked for any, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to,”
said Claradon. “That’s why we’re here. Those who took Jude are
aboard a ship called The White
Rose . They would’ve passed here within the
last day or so. As far as we know, Jude is alive and on
board.”
    “ Darn raven,” said
Malvegil. “If it had arrived, I could’ve stopped them. Jude would
be free now and them that took him, in irons.”
    Malvegil led them toward
his private den. “To attack a squad of soldiers like that—the
League is moving faster than I anticipated.” Malvegil grabbed a
passing servant and commanded him to fetch the Harbormaster and his
aides at once, though when they arrived, they reported only
that The Rose had
been seen the previous day, but did not put to port.
    Malvegil settled into a wide leather chair
in the