Shadows of Valor by Elsie Park

Author:Elsie Park
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Published: 2014-01-04T16:00:00+00:00

The trio made good time on their return trip, arriving on the outskirts of Graywall as the sun began setting. Calan didn’t mention Sir Randall, or even Genna, again. They rode in pensive quietude, meditating on their own thoughts. Any conversation between them remained broad and non-invasive, sticking to comments about the land, structures, and the beauty of nature.

The breeze caught and rustled some leaves, reminding Elsbeth of the sound she’d heard before stepping off the path to investigate voices in the forest. That decision weeks ago had lead to to being accosted by The Shadow and her subsequent introduction to him. She couldn’t help the ripples that ran through her body, remembering how he’d held her tight against him, whispering in her ear with his warm breath. If only it had been Calan holding her thus. She breathed deeply to calm her racing heart. “Jillian?” she called to the teenage servant.

The girl nudged her horse and caught up to Elsbeth. “Yes, milady?”

“What do you know of The Shadow?” she raised.

Calan, trotting along beside them, spoke up first. “Why would anyone want to know about him?”

“Well, he’s all the talk of late,” Elsbeth returned. “I suppose I’m just as curious as the next person.” And she was. There was still so much she didn’t know about the spy. “I already know your opinion, Calan. That’s why I didn’t ask you.” She smirked, enjoying the rare moment to tease him like she did long ago.

Calan responded with a “harrumph” and Elsbeth tried not to laugh.

She addressed Jillian again. “I’ve been told he’s a supernatural being.” She smiled, putting the shy lass at ease. “But what have you heard?”

“Well,” the servant started, her young face holding an aura of mystery, “I heard he’s actually a night demon. Flies down upon his prey, he does, in the form of a terrible black dragon with fiery nostrils. It’s said he can kill with one swipe of his mighty claws. He forms into a man when the sun comes up, so none suspect what he really is.”

“Goodness,” was all Elsbeth said. Jillian actually believed the legend, and it was all Elsbeth could do not to laugh at the absurdity. But that would make the poor girl feel foolish, and Elsbeth didn’t want that. She also didn’t want to ruin good gossip with her practical comments. After all, the stories only served to enhance The Shadow’s fearsome image.

She knew The Shadow as a being of flesh and blood, and an arresting one at that, no pun intended. She inwardly smiled. “And what do you think of that one, Sir Calan?” Elsbeth teased.

But Calan gave no answer, his attention fixated on something else. “Look there, Beth.” He pointed into the distance. “Do the peasants normally burn their fields at this time of the evening?”

Her head turned in the direction he indicated. At first Elsbeth didn’t see anything against the darkening sky, but as she studied the hills, she saw it . . . a thin, gray plume rising above a dim orange glow over the hilltop.

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