Free Warriors of the Black Shroud by Peter Howe Page A

superstition.”
    And with that he went into one of the rooms in the back of the house, leaving Walker perplexed.
    â€œWow!” Frankie whispered in his ear. “I’m glad he’s not my teacher. I’d have to change schools.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Walker apologized to Astrodor’s mother. “We didn’t mean to cause trouble. We just wanted to come over and play.”
    â€œDon’t take any notice of my husband,” she assured him. “He has some funny ideas. Where he gets them from I’m sure I don’t know.”
    Suddenly Artor stopped stroking his pet and tilted his head to one side.
    â€œRider headed this way,” he said.
    Everyone else listened, but none of them could hear anything.
    â€œArtor’s senses are unusually acute,” said his mother.
    And sure enough, moments later Jevon appeared in the doorway.
    â€œJevon,” Eddie said, “what’s up? Why are you here?”
    â€œHis Majesty requests a meeting with the Chosen One immediately. It is of high importance and I have been sent here to fetch him,” the knight replied.
    â€œJust the Chosen One, not me?” Eddie asked anxiously.
    â€œJust the Chosen One,” Jevon replied.
    â€œNot me either,” Frankie pointed out to Eddie. “So we’ll just hang here with Astrodor. Walker’ll come back soon enough.”
    Walker could see that Eddie was upset about being left out.
    â€œYou know, Eddie,” he said, “if seeing the king is urgent it probably means bad news. As soon as I’ve seen him I’ll come straight back here and let you know what happened.”
    â€œI know. You’re right,” said Eddie. “I just wish he trusted me more than he does.”
    Walker turned toward the knight.
    â€œOkay,” he said, “I’m ready to go.”

Chapter 10
    T he unicorn galloped down the streets toward the palace. Whenever anything got in the way it leaped into the air, flying over every obstacle without slackening its pace. Walker was seated on the unicorn’s back behind Jevon. The steady drum of hooves was interrupted by moments of quiet as the animal flew over the next hurdle. When that happened all Walker could hear was the whistling of the air as it sped past his ears.
    As they galloped into the Palace courtyard another page was waiting for them and he quickly took the creature’s reins. Jevon leaped from the saddle in one swift motion and then lifted Walker down.
    â€œCome,” he said, “we must make haste.”
    They hurried up the stairs. The Palace was eerily empty. Even Luzaro and Fussingham were nowhere to be seen. When they entered the antechamber they saw the king standing alone looking out one of the windows. He beckoned them toward him.
    â€œThank you, Jevon, for your speed,” he said. “Now please leave us and rally whatever Lightkeepers you can to accompany us, although I fear it will be very few.”
    â€œI will do my best, sire,” Jevon replied.
    Bowing as he went, the knight left the room.
    â€œHe is a brave and honorable man,” the king said to Walker. “If I had more like him I would breathe easier. Come here, young man, sit by me, and let me tell you what is about to happen.”
    He walked toward one of the stone benches that lined the room, and indicated Walker should follow him. When they were seated he turned toward Walker and took both his hands.
    â€œNow listen to me carefully,” he said, looking intently at Walker’s face. “This is important. We sent another patrol to make contact with Litherium, and they too failed to get through, only this time they were not just turned back by fierce winds; they were destroyed by the power of the Black Shroud. The only survivor was a young page who accompanied them. How he escaped we do not know. Neither do we know the fate of the citizens of Litherium. The patrol was attacked before it reached them but I