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

Lord’s Den, a grave look on his face. Claradon and Ob sat
across from him. Servants poured the men wine, but fled the room at
a gesture from Malvegil.
    “ We can do no more for
Jude than what you’ve planned. Track that ship, bring it to heel,
and get Jude back one way or another. I will aid you in any way I
can. I would give you another ship or two, but nothing I have is
fast enough to keep up with you. Anything else I have that you need
is yours.”
    “ Thank you,” said
Claradon.
    “ No need to thank me,
boy—we’re family; I can do no less. Your father was more than my
sister’s husband, he was my best friend for all my life. From when
Aradon and I were small children our families visited each other,
for a week or more, several times each year. Those were some of the
best times in my life, which is why we continued the tradition
after you kids were born. I will always regret that we didn’t keep
up those trips over the last few years, but with Eleanor gone, and
you boys always off in training—it just wasn’t the same. I can’t
believe that it has been two years since I’ve seen your father, and
now, never again. There just never seems enough time.”
    “ Aye,” said Ob. “Never
enough.”
    “ Our family visits were
some of the best times of my life as well,” said Claradon. “I know
Glimador feels the same, and so do my brothers.”
    “ I’m glad of that,” said
Malvegil. “We did that much right, at least. We could talk for
hours of the happy times, and we should, but tonight, we’ve graver
matters to discuss. I’ve heard Glimador’s tale about your father.
Mountain trolls, my ass. You swore him to secrecy, I’m sure, though
he won’t even admit that much. Tell me what really happened to
Aradon and the others.”
    “ The stinking Shadow
League happened,” said Ob.
    Malvegil winced at the
remark, and then took a gulp of wine. “Are you telling me that the
League killed them?”
    “ In a manner of speaking,”
said Claradon.
    Malvegil closed his eyes. “There’s no
stopping it then. This puts Lomion on the road to ruin. It can only
end one way.” Malvegil downed the rest of his wine. “Now tell me
everything. Leave nothing out.”
    Claradon and Ob related the events of the
Vermion, a dark tale of death, demon lords, and mad cultists.
Malvegil listened intently and asked many questions.
    “ A hard story to swallow
whole or in pieces,” said Malvegil. “You did well not to tell this
tale to the Council. It could only have made things worse, and they
would certainly never accept the truth of it.”
    “ If I wasn’t there, I
wouldn’t believe it,” said Ob, “but I was.”
    “ I’ve seen many strange
things in my days,” said Malvegil, “and more often than not,
Gabriel was around when I saw them. He seemed to attract the weird
or mayhaps it attracted him. I’ve never seen a demon though, and
never even believed in them. Fairy tales and ghost stories for the
fireside, nothing more, I’d say.”
    Malvegil stared at the
fireplace for a moment, considering his words before continuing. “I
wasn’t with you that night, but I accept your story as honest told
however wild it sounds.” Malvegil refilled his goblet from a glass
decanter. “They died heroes, Aradon, Gabriel, Talbon, Stern,
Donnelin, and the rest, defending our kingdom. Few better ways for
old soldiers to pass, I suppose.”
    “ I’d prefer old age,” said
Ob.
    “ You passed old age a
hundred years ago.”
    “ Of course, he moves slow.
I’ve left him behind, and he can’t catch me,” Ob said
chuckling.
    “ Did
Korrgonn sail with The White
Rose ?” said Malvegil.
    “ He did,” said
Claradon.
    Malvegil nodded. “You’ll
want to leave at once. I would feel the same if I were you, but
still, I strongly advise you to remain here the night. The Dead
Fens, as Ob knows too well, lie just to the south of Malvegil
lands. It’s an evil place and always has been. A fog that never
lifts makes passage perilous even