Farland, David - Runelords 07 - The Wyrmling Horde by Farland David

Author:Farland, David [Farland, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780765355850
Amazon: 076535585X
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
Published: 2008-01-01T23:00:00+00:00

"That cannot be helped," Despair said.

"We are so alone," the Thissians mourned.

"Nor can I offer any comfort to you," Despair said. "In the whole universe there are no others like you. You will remain alone, yet I will cherish you above all other allies." Despair paused. "Will you share my fate?"

The Thissians hissed and crackled for a moment as they spoke in their own tongue; after a bit one answered, "We shall."

Despair smiled in satisfaction.

"Now," he said, "the Earth warns that my fortress will soon be under attack. From what quarter comes the danger?"

The Thissians hesitated a moment. "There is a treasure that you seek—rods of blood metal. They have fallen into enemy hands. . . ." After a bit longer, "They will use them . . . they come . . . to free the Worldbinder."

"Can we thwart their plan?"

"Yes, O Great Wyrm, easily. Send your Knights Eternal. . . ."

Despair stood facing one of his Knights Eternal, Kryssidia.

"Take your companion and fly to Caer Luciare in all haste." The Death Lord in command of Caer Luciare had been slain. Despair did not even know the name of the wyrmling now in charge. "Tell the commander of the fortress that I need a shipment now—enough blood metal for two thousand forcibles, no less."

Despair felt in his heart. Giving this command would make a difference, the Earth agreed. The danger diminished, but did not dissipate completely. Despair did not understand why. Perhaps two thousand forcibles was not enough. Or perhaps they would not arrive in time.

He considered ordering a larger shipment, but that did not ease his mind. No, he needed them quickly—just as the Thissians had warned.

It was a long way to Caer Luciare. The Knights Eternal would not be able to fly there and back in a single night. They would be forced to land short of their mark, wait out the day tomorrow. So he added,

"Let nothing delay you. Fly there and return without rest. It would be better for you to break your necks in your haste than to let me down."

Kryssidia glanced uncomfortably upward to where the thin evening light streamed above the rocks along the bowl of the volcano's cone, but he did not hesitate. He dropped to one knee, put a hand upon the hilt of his sword, and said, "Your every desire commands my deeds."

Then he nodded to his companion and the Knights Eternal leapt into the sky. Despair wished that he had more knights like these. His Death Lords, with their ability to communicate from spirit to spirit across the leagues, had certain advantages, but they could not take endowments. He made a mental note to have some warriors go down among the wyrmling horde to find some pregnant females. Knights Eternal could only be recruited from stillborn babes. The rites necessary to create the proper conditions were long and arduous, and as part

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