Free The Battle of Ebulon by Shane Porteous Page A

we find ourselves in, this
Ebulon."
    Murmurs of assent passed
through the crowd. It all sounded so reasonable.
    Vardan spoke up again, "I
see that many of you represent different nations, so please return
to your groups, spread my words, and send some of your kind to be
close to the portal. Meanwhile, if any would like to help explore
and help us get our bearings, then please - "
    Kalummenon interrupted. "I
would."
    Vardan looked down his
nose at Kalummenon's simple and drab clothing, but seemed perplexed
by his impeccable Abrilian accent. "And you are?"
    "I am Kalummenon, of
Peledar."
    Someone snorted nearby,
and Kalummenon turned to look at him. The young blonde haired man
waved his hands, as if in apology. "Forgive me," he said, "it's
just that your name doesn't sound at all Peledarri
    "It isn't. My father was a
sailor, and he named me as such."
    "A pirate! Of course, that
makes-"
    "I am not a pirate, and I
don't -"
    "In fact, your name sounds
like -"
    "I know what it sounds
like in the old language, and I am not a dog, but," turning his
attention back to Vardan, "I do have a good nose for sniffing
things out, and I am used to keeping a low profile..."
    "Excellent," said Vardan.
"And you, lad?" Vardan turned a piercing gaze towards the young
man.
    Blushing quickly and
fully, the young man spoke up proudly, "I am Pereg of Peledar, and
a cadet in the King's Academy."
    "And are you volunteering
as well, lad?" asked Vardan. When Pereg hesitated, Vardan went on,
"It will give you a chance to make peace with your fellow
countryman here."
    Pereg nodded. "I would be
happy to volunteer."
    "Good man. Anyone else?"
There were a few. Wegri of Kire styled himself a poet, but looked
more like a thief, with tight lips and furtive eyes that seemed to
note the whereabouts of anything valuable. Rysil of Eilinnar was an
older man, slim, white haired, but bright eyed and enthusiastic.
Khendam of Brenave was strong and serious, and seemed to carry a
heavy burden of pain or regret despite his relative youth. Tulacha
of Chel could not be called beautiful, but her smile took you by
surprise, transforming her earnest features with a sultriness and
playfulness that would be irresistible to the right person, and
managed to be appealing to the rest.
    The knot of men and women
dispersed, and Vardan was left with the six scouts, and Chirath. He
split them into pairs, with the intention that if one of the pair
fell into trouble, the other could bring back warning to the rest
of them gathered in the square.
    "Behind me," Vardan said,
"the square stretches into a wide street, and you can see a gate at
the end of it. Chirath and I will scout the gate and try to climb
the wall for a wider view of the city. Wegri and Tulacha, please
scout the area to the right of us, and Khendam and Rysil, the left
side. The Peledarri pair will scout into what we assume to be the
heart of the city, away from the gate. Do not engage those you
meet. Be gone no more than a few hours. Stay out of trouble, and
report back. If you do manage to find trouble, bring
warning."

    2.
    Snow drifted out of
alleyways between the stone buildings. There were fading tracks
here and there in the snow, softened by the working of the wind,
but there had been no substantial snowfall since they arrived some
hours ago.
    "It's so desolate,"
Tulacha said. She disapproved of emptiness, or loneliness. She
thrived in the company of others, and seeing a place so devoid of
life or warmth was unnerving. "Where did all the people
go?"
    Wegri snorted. He gazed up
and down the massive stone buildings as they walked. "Thousands of
people could live here. I wonder what they left
behind..."
    Tulacha thought for a
moment, taking his question seriously. "There's no sign of death or
destruction, just decay. They might have been able to take
everything with them, if it was an orderly evacuation."
    Wegri sighed. "I'm going
to find out."
    "What?"
    "Let me know if you see
anyone coming," he added, and disappeared into