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

were taken by the two elves.
    Lorn came forth from Seth's side and held two
more apples outward and they, too, were accepted by the maidens.
The dwarf bowed again, turned around, and began eating the one
apple he kept, watching the front doors of the castle.
    "Thank you, kind sirs," one elf-maiden spoke,
looking at the gifts as if she just received a bag of gold. Her
eyes beamed at Seth, and she kept a deep lock with the knight's
blue eyes, finding him very gallant. As her heart began to flutter,
she was dragged away by her companion, and both smiled as none
could now see their faces.
    Lorn stood still as he watched Malander pace
the floor next to the front doors. The dark knight's head was
lowered. Lorn wiped his beard clean as Seth was rejoined at his
side. "That man looks like trouble," the dwarf commented.
    "I wouldn't want to cross swords with
him," Seth replied. "I wonder how much he is being paid to be here. If my knowledge
serves me correctly, Dunane and Muldane have never cooperated
militarily. True, they are both allies of Mudalfaen, but these
elves do not interact with Muldane at all. So I wager that
Malander, too, is hired for service."
    But Seth proved wrong in his assessment.
Though Malander had accepted mercenary work in the past, he refused
payment from Zelok. The elf-king did not understand what had
brought Malander to his realm, or how Malander found out about the
secret gathering. Two weeks ago, Malander arrived in the valley,
and Zelok accepted his aid. For the past fourteen days Malander had
lingered about Norganas, particularly at night. Many elves noticed
him wandering the dark alleyways almost as if sleepwalking. And one
local tavern was graced with the grim man's presence every night.
The Dunane were annoyed at first, but once they saw how liberal
Malander was in dispensing silver coins, they welcomed him. Each
evening he sat at the same bar stool and drank the strongest ale
the pub had to offer. When one pint was emptied, Malander's hand
rapped the counter, demanding another. The bartender always fretted
about Malander's miserable mood after all that he consumed, and no
elf dared speak to him for fear of a physical altercation.
    Though Malander stood scarcely over five and
a half feet high, his muscular build intimidated many. He looked
very strong, and his temper was uncertain. As he moved in great,
purposeful strides, he muttered strange words to himself, which
Seth tried without success to interpret. Now Seth grew restless as
he awaited Gildan. To fill the time until the elf arrived, he
decided to speak with the fourth of the company.
    "Malander?" The grim man stopped in midstep
and turned his head in Seth's direction. His glare was as cold as
ice, making the hairs on Seth's neck stand on end. "What tidings do
you bring from Muldane? I would like to enlighten the Council upon
my return."
    Malander stood in front of Seth. "What do you
want?" his deep voice asked.
    Smelling some sort of potent spirits on
Malander's hot breath, Seth kept a straight face to avoid
aggravation. "My curiosity is meant only for Mudalfaen."
    "Do I look like one who would converse on
matters of Muldane?"
    "Well…," Seth began.
    "Why do you bother me?" His eyes never moved
off Seth.
    "I am passing time; that is all."
    "Leave me out of your time-passing," Malander
said as he turned back around. He threw up a hand and shook his
head as he strode away. "Have some respect for a man of the
sword."
    "Thank you for your advice," Seth
replied.
    "You disgust me."
    Seth did not know how to react, so he chose
silence.
    "You see?" Lorn whispered. "Bloody crazy,
that one is."
    "Appears he doesn't take well to people,"
Gildan's voice came from directly behind them. Neither had seen or
heard the elf come into their presence. Seth looked at Gildan and
gave a forced smile.
    "When did you get here?" Seth asked.
    "Just a moment after your folly," the
mercenary laughed. "Surprised?"
    "Yes," answered Lorn and Seth together.
    "Stealth is a gift,"