Shadowrealm: The Twilight War by Paul S. Kemp

Author:Paul S. Kemp
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic, Fiction, Fantasy, General, Imaginary wars and battles, Epic, Comics & Graphic Novels, Forgotten realms (Imaginary place)
ISBN: 9780786948635
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Published: 2008-12-02T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

5 Nightal, the Year of Lightning

Storms

Drawn blades and an alarmed shout of "Shades," met the arrival of Cale and Riven. Cale held up his hands. Riven already had his sabers clear of their scabbards.

"We are friends," Cale said.

"Hold!" Abelar shouted, his eyes on Cale.

Abelar, Regg, Jiiris, Roen, and a dozen other members of Abelar's company stood in a circle on the shore of a river Cale assumed to be the Mudslide. The Lathanderians relaxed, and sheathed their weapons. Apologies and greetings followed. Abelar embraced both Cale and Riven.

"I am pleased to see you both. We could use your blades and talents."

Downriver, Cale saw the inkblot of Sakkors hovering in the air. Opposite that, he saw the charred, churning clouds of the Shadowstorm as they ate the sky. Between them sat Abelar's company and the Saerbian refugees, just as Rivalen had said.

"Our blades and talents did nothing against Kesson Rel. We failed, Abelar."

The Lathanderian kept his expression neutral. "But you live, still. We will find another way."

"We may have found one. We need a word in privacy. You and Regg."

Abelar looked to Regg and Regg nodded and said to his company, "See to your duties. Get everyone near the river. No closer to that city, though. Summon food. Keep everyone as warm as possible."

Nods and murmured assent, then they moved off.

"Jiiris," Abelar called, and the red haired warrior brought her horse over. She nodded to Cale and Riven, though Cale saw distant hostility in her eyes. Perhaps she blamed them for Abelar's turn from Lathander.

"You do not have to ask," she said to Abelar. "I will see that Elden eats."

He smiled at her. "Thank you."

When the four men were alone, Cale said, "Ordulin is in ruins, as we suspected. Its people have been consumed by the storm and raised as shadows serving Kesson Rel. The storm transforms Sembia as it moves."

"The Morninglord's light," Regg oathed.

"He is more powerful than we thought," Cale said.

"Much more," Riven added.

Abelar shook his head. "Darkness grows. You see our straits." He nodded at Sakkors. "The Shadovar will prevent us from crossing the river on orders of the Hulorn. I misjudged Tamlin Uskevren badly. He did not seem a man to countenance this. When I met the two of you, I thought it you I should worry over, not him."

Cale smiled at that, recalling their first meeting. "Tamlin is desperate to prove himself and easily steered. I misjudged him as well. It is… unfortunate."

He could think of no better word. He was just pleased Thamalon had died before seeing his son sink so far.

" 'Unfortunate' understates his culpability should something happen to these refugees," Regg said.

Cale took the point. "The Hulorn is not behind this. Prince Rivalen of Shade Enclave is. Tamlin-the Hulorn-is just a tool."

"What does he hope to gain, this Shadovar prince?" Regg asked. "These are ordinary folk."

"Our assistance," Cale answered, and the shadows around him spun.

Regg and Abelar's expression formed questions, waited for answers.

Cale and Riven told them of their encounter with Rivalen, of the deal he offered if Cale and Riven helped him with Kesson Rel.

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