The Dark Glory War by Michael A. Stackpole

Author:Michael A. Stackpole [Stackpole, Michael A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780553578072
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Spectra
Published: 2000-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“It is also vital for us.” She looked at me with black eyes. “Shifting is not easy for us. It tires us out and strains our bodies. We need to eat to regain our strength so we can change back. If we could not, we would be stuck like this.”

“Oh.” I stood as the bandy-legged urZrethi troop began walking past. Some actually leaned forward on their hands to walk on all fours, while most just struggled along on two. “I shan’t keep you, then. It is good to see you up and about.”

“And it is good to be up and about.” She gave me a quick smile. “Find me later; I have something for you—a relic of our adventures that you might find useful. Until then, be well.”

“And you.”

I watched her go and wondered what she was talking about. Before I could figure it out, I turned and found Lord Norrington approaching me. “What did you think, Hawkins, of the fighting down there?”

“Seemed to me to be like fighting in a grave. I didn’t much care for it.”

“Neither did I, but as a result of seeing it I’m fairly certain the walls will stand until Chytrine batters them down.” He laughed. “It will be quite a while before that happens, though. We’ve a long siege ahead of us.”

I nodded in agreement, not realizing how quickly the both of us would be proved wrong.

Later that afternoon a great cry rose from the enemy camp. I was walking with Seethe in the outermost section of the city and quickly mounted the walls near the main gate. Because of the press of people, the closest we got to them was a hundred yards. Even so, we did have a decent view of what was going on and quickly understood why the Aurolani host was elated.

Chytrine had arrived.

Six magnificent drearbeasts pulled her gilded carriage, with vylaens serving as coachmen and footmen. The bulbous carriage had been shaped like a dragon in white, with its head and long neck extending out over the fearsome team drawing it. The wings flowed back to form the roof and the tail sailed behind to counterbalance the head. All four paws clutched axles and windows had been cut in the side, but curtains hid her from curious gazes. Gold traced every scale and edge on the carriage, allowing the afternoon sun to sparkle off it the way it ripples off gentle sea swells.

Above it all flew a white banner with the black image of a man wreathed in red, yellow, and orange dragonfire. I’d seen that banner before, in some of the fortress’ murals, and knew it to be the banner beneath which Kirun had invaded the south. That she still used it even though he’d been dead for centuries made me wonder if she was not so much interested in conquest as vengeance. Which, if true, made her more dangerous in my mind.

Seethe shielded her eyes against the glare. “So there she is. Things will begin soon, I expect.

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