Read Online Harbinger: The Downfall - Book One by Travis I. Sivart - Free Book Online Page A

their eyes. The charming man, who danced with the movements that could not quite be explained, was dressed simply compared to most of the men in the room. His cape was a basic black; his breeches, tucked into polished black knee boots, were a dark brown with gold buttons. A brown doublet over a cream-colored blouse, which was untied, showed more of his chest than appropriate in a cultured gathering. Dancing without care, his pearly smile glinted in the thousand candles that lit the hall, his dark hair was almost indigo and his eyes the deep blue of a stormy ocean. He smiled at men or woman, bowed to all, and startled, charmed, or confused everyone he touched.
    Nomed knew what he did to people, and it made his grin grow, though he was careful that it did not become a wolfish one. He loved what he did, and no one could do it better. He moved from woman to woman, and stopped to kiss the hand of an effeminate nobleman. The man’s face blushed under his powder as he fanned himself to keep from fainting. The aristocrat noticed a plain-sheathed dagger peeking from under the dashing man’s cloak as he spun away to dance with another woman. Men openly wore daggers, swords, and other showpieces, often covered with gems and jewels, but the lack of decoration on Nomed’s weapon made it appear sinister and dangerous.
    Plucking a glass of wine from one tray, and a spiced shrimp from another, Nomed moved into the night air as he glided onto a balcony, with a rhythmic gait. Even his walk was a dance, and every movement drew people’s stares. Popping the shrimp into his mouth, he leaned against the wide marble railing, sipped his wine, and watched the crowd. He spotted a man in a small knot of the upper crust’s finest patrons. It was an older man, slightly round and graying at the temples, who carried a jeweled walking stick, which men his age preferred rather than a rapier or other weapons. The noble stood talking with three others. Nomed grinned as he decided how to break into the conversation. He approached the group.
    “Jaeken, I need to speak to you about matters of great urgency, the fate of the land is at stake,” Nomed said, interrupting the discussion of the day, which was all about the comet in the sky, the Talisman.
    Jaeken paled, staring at the man who had appeared from the night shadows. The other men looked back and forth between Jaeken and the stranger. They shuffled and looked towards the well-lit ballroom. Nomed stared at Jaeken, and reached out to run a finger across a line of pearls sewn onto the doublet of one of the other men. Nomed turned his head to look at the nervous fop as the man jerked away. The dandy’s eyes locked on Nomed’s hand in a mix of fear and excitement.
    “Dandelos, you should return to your manor to check on your wife, Myrian, who was not feeling well this eve,” Nomed told the man, his sly grin speaking of forbidden knowledge. He watched the man turn and flee the balcony. Nomed turned to another one of the men. “Candol, perhaps you should go with him to protect your son Kinvin’s life when your friend finds him with his wife?”
    With a cursory bow to the two remaining men, Candol also took his leave.
    The third man began to excuse himself when Nomed interrupted, “Perhaps you should stay, Alixin. This concerns the church of Jonath also, and the horrors you bring upon others.”
    The two remaining men were taken aback. This unknown man, who had appeared from nowhere and spouted information each of them thought to be private, now insulted the church. Neither of the nobles were strangers to confrontation. They drew a breath, stood up straight, and steeled themselves for the encounter. Nomed smiled, knowing what was about to come next.
    “Lord Jaeken, do you know this man?” the second man, who was dressed in a long gray robe and wore the symbol of Jonath the God of Justice, asked.
    “No, Lord Father Alixin, I do not, but I do not like what he has implied of the church,” Lord Jaeken