Free The White Shadow Saga: The Stolen Moon of Londor by A.P. Stephens

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