The Oddyssey of Gilthanas by Douglas Niles

Author:Douglas Niles [Niles, Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7869-1446-3
Publisher: Fanversion Publishing
Published: 2015-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Hargoth, 27sc

The port city of Hargoth was a bustling center of humanity about a day's flight from Korval. The constant movement of people made Gilthanas immediately long for the days of wandering, of solitary living and study, or of the sole companionship of Lethagas.

The younger elf, in contrast, seemed to welcome the surrounding activity and threw himself into the life of the city with boisterous enthusiasm. It was Leth who found them a clean, inexpensive room in an inn where elves were welcomed, but not questioned. Now that they were traversing western Ansalon, Gilthanas had decided to keep his identity a secret. Nearly all the elves they encountered came from Qualinesti, and he wished to avoid attention, as well as the attendant rumors that would arise if the wandering prince was known to be this close to home.

Instead, he waited around the inn or wandered the city as an anonymous vagabond. He let his companion ask the questions, knowing that Leth was getting around Hargoth and seeking any information he could regarding silver dragons. The youngster was subtle and coy, never mentioning Silvara by name as he looked around the busy waterfront and worked his way through the many crowded inns.

Late one evening, after ten days in the city, Leth awakened Gilthanas when he returned to their room. The prince noticed the traces of dawn already brightening the horizon.

"I have found an elf who wants to talk to you… who says he has information about silver dragons."

"Where is he?" Gilthanas blinked the sleep from his eyes and shrugged into his tunic. Pulling on his boots and buckling his sword around his waist, he stood, wide awake and ready to go.

"He will meet us near the Sailor's Guildhouse at the wharf," Leth replied. "He's waiting for us now."

In a few minutes, the pair made their way through the nearly empty streets of the town. The sky had brightened to a very pale blue when Gilthanas saw the peaked roof of a large hall. Nearby was the shadowy entrance to a small, stone building.

"There he is." Leth indicated the figure waiting within the dark alcove.

"That's an elf?" The fellow's furtive manner and heavy cloak reminded Gilthanas more of a human scoundrel—some pirate or back-street cutthroat. He couldn't see the elf's face, except for a vague outline of his chin.

"I hear you's looking for silver dragons," said the mysterious fellow in a hoarse voice that did nothing to dispel Gilthanas's earlier impression.

"Who are you?" demanded the prince, immediately suspicious.

"Forgive me, O Great Lord," sneered the fellow in a voice dripping with mockery. He pushed back the deep hood and Gilthanas saw the pointed ears that proved him an elf. His long hair was tied in a narrow tail down his back, which was a style unusual for a fellow elf. "I am but a humble servant unworthy even of being named in your presence."

Gilthanas decided not to press the issue. "What do you know of a dragon of silver?"

"A dragon… not just any

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