Harbinger of Doom (Three Book Bundle) by Glenn G. Thater

Author:Glenn G. Thater [Thater, Glenn G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Free Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Dark Fantasy, myths nrse arthurian fairly tales, teen & young adult fantasy, visionary, coming of age, action adventure, norse odin thor myth, fairy tale, thriller was best selling viking boxed set, eddings, erikson, gemmell, tolkien, sanderson, brent weeks, weis hickman, conan, horror, fiction, serial top ebooks, dungeons and dragons, men's adventure, james maxwell, george RR martin, butcher, glen cook, paranormal, urban, collections, role-playing, magic, legends, fables, christian fantasy, juvenile fiction fantasy, sagas, monsters, metaphysical, science fiction, war battle, medieval, arthurian, heroic fantasy, celtic, ghost
Publisher: Glenn G. Thater
Published: 2014-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

VI

EDWIN OF ALDER

Populated with a mix of residential buildings of rotting wood, decaying brick, and crumbling mortar, houses of ill repute, riotous gambling dens, seedy taverns, flea infested boarding houses, and fetid beggars’ hovels, Southeast was the foulest district in the otherwise fair city of Lomion, capital city of the Kingdom of Lomion.

A clinging mist continually hung over the district, sometimes even permeating indoors. The whole place radiated a sense of vast age and decay. An inexplicable malaise afflicted those goodly folk that braved its narrow streets and dismal alleyways. Those who lingered would oft grow morbid, grim, and even violent. Some said a strange vapor within the mist caused that madness; others attributed it to wizards’ spells gone awry in ages past.

“Not a fit place for proper folk,” said Ob as he eyed the ill-kept buildings that precariously leaned over both sides of the lane that they walked down, blocking out much of the day’s light. “Dark, dismal, and dirty—always been that way, Southeast has. Mostly folks up to no good are seen hereabouts—cutthroats and scoundrels, the lot of them.”

“And Gnomes,” said Tanch, the Duke’s talisman in his hand.

Ob narrowed his eyes and glared at the wizard. “It’s true: a Gnome or two has lived around here over the years. Mind you, they are southern Gnomes, from Grommel or Portland Vale, not Northerners like myself. My kin have more sense.”

“Things have gotten worse in Southeast in recent years,” said Tanch. “I have heard that most common folk, including the beggars, have fled or gone missing. Even the thieves’ guild moved out, as did most everyone else of sound mind. Only the crazies are left, and there are plenty of them, or so I hear.”

Theta grabbed Tanch by the arm. “This is not a place to be cornered in. Why did you have us leave our horses?”

Tanch winced from the pressure on his arm. “Forgive me—Lord Theta—but there—is something about the place—makes animals wild.” Theta released him and Tanch rubbed his shoulder. “It has always been that way, and grown worse of late, I’m told. If we had taken horses in here, they would’ve tried to throw us and run off.”

“He’s right,” said Ob. “Animals not accustomed to this place lose their heads and panic. I’ve seen it happen. The place isn’t quite natural; some wizards mucked it up ages back. Stinking wizards.”

Par Tanch looked stricken but offered no retort.

“Them fellows following us have horses,” said Dolan, “and they’re getting on good enough.”

“What?” said Ob. “Following us?” Ob cupped a hand behind his right ear. “Be silent,” he said, pausing to listen. “Oh boy, you’re right, I hear them coming. I thought I heard something a minute ago, but the darned wizard distracted me, as usual. Stinking wizards.” Ob glared at Tanch and took a swig from his wineskin.

“Let’s get out of this alley before they’re on us,” said Theta.

“Who are they?” said Ob. “That is what I want to know.”

“Somebody’s soldiers,” said Dolan. “They’ve been following us since before we entered Southeast, hanging well back, trying to stay out of sight.

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