Shard Knight by Matthew Ballard

Author:Matthew Ballard [Ballard, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult
Goodreads: 19517054
Publisher: Six Strong Publishing
Published: 2013-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

North Camp

After splitting from Devery and Sir Alcott a week ago, Ronan, Tyrell, and Kelwin traveled southwest from the Snowdrift Mountains toward the northern death camp. The forest of towering pine trees provided excellent cover and a constant supply of food during their journey. As the towering pines gave way to flat lowlands, the group encountered the tides of change.

Through a shroud of thick fog and dark night skies, yellow light glowed on the north Meranthian horizon.

Ronan brought Betty to a halt at the forest’s edge. “Wait. I see light across the open ground.”

“Which direction Ronan? I can’t a quarter mile through this fog,” Tyrell said.

Ronan pointed southwest. “A mile ahead I see a faint glow of light on the horizon.”

“I’ll take your word for it. I can’t see past the tip of my nose,” Kelwin said.

“Devery’s lead scout said we’d find the camp at this location. Ronan, can you see the eastern entrance? The scout reported that portion of the wall remained unfinished.” Tyrell said.

“It’s too far away Master Tyrell. I won’t know until we move closer.”

“I’m grateful you can see ten-feet beyond your nose in this fog.” Tyrell said.

Since the day at Devery’s forge, Ronan’s power had intensified. He’d not sent energy through his new shard blade, but the act of holding it amplified his power. “Master Tyrell, the first time you held your shard blade, did you feel any change with your magic?”

Tyrell furrowed his brow and paused as if thinking. “The blade itself offered a great advantage, but I don’t recall changes with my inherent magic. Why do you ask?”

“I’m gaining strength with my shard magic, and I can’t explain why.”

A look of confusion crossed Tyrell’s face. “Knight’s gain more control of their magic with time and experience, but I’ve never heard a knight mention an increase in raw power.”

“Look at the fog surrounding us,” Ronan gestured at the wall of white fog blanketing their view. “When I channel shard magic it disappears. Three weeks ago, I’m certain I couldn’t have done that.”

Tyrell focused on the billowing fog surrounding the men. “When I studied at the citadel, the oldest knights would share stories with new students. They’d recall feats of magic performed by legendary knights such as Byron the Black or Sir Jager of Bramblethorn. I discounted them as the tall tales of old knights trying to delight shard knights in training.” He shrugged. “Maybe, their stories were true. I’ve never met a knight that could penetrate a fog bank this thick even on his best day. I’m afraid I don’t have a reasonable explanation, but I’m grateful it’s happened.”

“I just wish the bloody fog would let up,” Kelwin said.

Ronan shook his head. “We’ve a mile of open ground to cover before we reach the camp’s fortifications.”

“Which means we need to move,” Tyrell said. “The fog and darkness provide the best cover we could hope for, and come dawn, the sunlight destroys our biggest advantage.”

“Agreed,” Ronan said. “But we can’t take the horses any further. Battle knight’s patrolling the eastern wall will hear them half a mile away.

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