The Shadow Dragons by James A. Owen

Author:James A. Owen
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2009-10-26T16:00:00+00:00

As they talked, Artus ordered some food and drink to be brought in. A short time later Bert and Ransom joined them, and the philologist relayed the terrible news about Kor.

“This is awful,” Artus said. “Kor was one of the islands fighting against protectorate status.”

“I’m sorry,” said Jack. “What does that mean?”

“The Senate has been preparing for an eventual attack by the Winter King,” Artus explained, “by promising increased protective measures from the republic in exchange for oaths of fealty. It was a plan presented by a very influential man on the rise named Chancellor Murdoch.”

“Chancellor?” said Jack. “Which land does he represent?”

“That’s the strange part,” said Bert. “No one seems to know. He appeared out of nowhere, with no history, no credentials that I can find, and yet all the primary leaders in the Archipelago—save for Artus and Aven—have embraced him and his counsel.”

“It’s surprising that I’ve never heard of him,” said Jack. “I consider myself very well up-to-date on events in the Archipelago.”

“We’ve also missed seven years,” Charles reminded him.

“I’m hoping you might still know something about him,” Artus said. “There’s a belief that he might actually be a leader from your world.”

“One of our people?” exclaimed Charles. “Here? That smacks of Burton’s involvement, if you ask me.”

“I hope not,” said Artus. “The Chancellor is proving to be very popular—and in a republic, that alone can carry the day. Burton is already a thorn in our sides, but if a world leader from the Summer Country is becoming our best ally against the Winter King, then I don’t see how he wouldn’t be involved.”

“What does the Chancellor look like?” asked Jack.

“Our agents, particularly Ransom, have managed to acquire a few photographs of him,” Artus said as he spread several pictures out on the table. “The one thing that’s peculiar about him is that in all of the pictures, he’s seen holding this spear.”

“That looks very familiar,” said Charles, “but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“I can,” said Jack with a groan. “And I have. It’s the spear we took from Mordred in Camelot. It was called the Lance of Longinus, but you’d know it better as the Spear of Destiny.”

“Great Scott!” Charles exclaimed. “But what did you have to do with it?”

“John and I gave it to Chaz, when he became the first Green Knight,” said Jack. “And every Green Knight since has carried it, including . . .”

“Magwich,” Artus said.

“Well, now we know where that idiot Maggot went,” Charles fumed. “He threw in with this Chancellor, and he gave him the spear.”

“What’s the connection between the Green Knight and the Chancellor, though?” asked Jack. “How would someone from our world even know about Magwich or the spear?”

“Here’s your connection,” Charles said darkly. “Look at this photo—the close-up in profile. Do you recognize him?”

“Yes,” Bert declared. “I have seen him before!”

“The Red King,” said Jack. “From the Clockwork Parliament! But I thought they’d all been destroyed after our first trip into the Archipelago!”

Artus was crestfallen. “So did we,” he said.

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