Read Online Light Of Loreandril by V K Majzlik - Free Book Online

continued, pleased to have an audience hanging on his every word. “The more I have thought about it over the years, the more I think that it has something to do with the Elves teaching them magic. We all know the stories about Elves being centuries old, as ancient as the Earth itself, so perhaps they imparted this knowledge to these men, along with all the other magic stuff!”
    “But then surely they would be good, like the Elves were?”
    “No, no!” Barnon shook his head, and filled his pipe with more tabacco. “It’s true that history tells us Elves only had the power to do good. White magic and so on! But, maybe, and this is between you and me………maybe they somehow helped the Rjukhan unlock their own magic. Left to their own devices, perhaps they found the Black Magic.”
    “And you think that’s what led to the downfall of the Elves?”
    Barnon laughed again, leaning forward to rub Nechan’s flaxen head. “I like your thinking, Nechan. You and I really are one and the same!” He tapped out his pipe on the hearth and sat back again before lighting it once more.
    “My father used to say that they sold their soul to some dark beast they had accidentally conjured up. While I am unsure of this theory, something along these lines must have happened. The Elves refused to teach them anything further, and without their guidance, this Dark Magic turned their bodies into the malevolent, noxious beings we now know. Unable to stand the light of day, they hide in their dark towers, conjuring their evil spirits, ruling the Empire with their stygian malice. You could say, perhaps, that the Elves created their own enemy.”
    “Do you really think that’s true?”
    “I’m not sure. In some ways I’d like to think so, but if it is even partly true, then mankind is doomed to be under their terrible rule for eternity!”
    “But the Empire is not so bad!” joked Nechan, rubbing his clammy palms.
    “Well, none of us is free! You have now discovered that! Anyway, the history has always been hazy. You and I both know we are only told what they want us to know as truth. The rest gets amalgamated with myth. To think that such terrifying beasts existed, like the ones I’ve shown you in the past, from old manuscripts, well, that does not bear thinking about!”
    Nechan shook his head in agreement, remembering the sketches of scaly beasts with huge talons, and dog-like heads. He shuddered at the thought.
    Barnon stood up slowly and Nechan watched the old man, hunched over, supporting himself with a cane. It was so easy to forget how old his friend really was when he was telling his stories so enthusiastically and with such energy. Barnon disappeared into the kitchen. He appeared few moments later, grunting and groaning, carrying a platter of cheese, bread and cold meats. Nechan had not realised how quickly the time was passing. It was nearly mid-afternoon. After cutting a few large slices of cheese, Barnon sat back in his chair and started the tale again.
    “We all know how deadly the karzon are, and they are said to be the children of the Rjukhan. But you’re the one who experienced them first hand, what do you think? Are they born from evil?”
    Nechan’s blood suddenly ran cold, the memory of the karzon’s touch making the tiny hairs on the back of his neck prick up. “How do you know about it? Even Cradon has not told anyone.”
    “Your father came to see me to ask my advice. He wanted to know if I thought there would be any permanent damage.”
    Nechan was surprised his father had done that. “Do you think there will be?”
    “Well, do you? We’ve all seen poor old Cadin.”
    “What do you mean?” Nechan gasped, thinking at once of the old man as he had last seen him, screaming with terror.
    Barnon leant forwards. “He is someone who did not escape as luckily as you!”
    “You mean….he was touched by a……” Barnon nodded, making Nechan’s voice trail off as he turned pale. “Will I…..?”
    “I