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Authors: Tim Waggoner
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and helmet, and departed in shame and disgrace. That was five months ago.”
Nearra felt sorrow for her new friend. “But you were only a squire. Surely the other Knights would have understood what happened.”
“Perhaps they would have,” Catriona said. “But I cannot forgive myself. I have vowed to travel throughout the land, living without a home and performing chivalrous deeds until such time as I finally redeem myself and regain my honor.”
“And when will that be?” Nearra asked.
Catriona didn’t answer. She lay down and rolled over, her back to Nearra. Several moments later the warrior’s breathingdeepened, and Nearra realized that Catriona had fallen asleep. Or at least she wanted Nearra to believe that she had.
Nearra lay back down and looked up at the ceiling once more and waited for sleep to come. She had to wait a long time.
Oddvar sat in an alley with his back against the wall. Now that it was finally dark, he didn’t have to wear his cloak, though he could have done without the light from the moons above. Solinari was three-quarters full, while the red moon Lunitari was half full. He could have done without the temperature, too. The caverns where the Theiwar lived were pleasantly cool and damp, not hot and sticky like Solamnia in summertime. But if Oddvar ever wished to return home and get revenge on the cursed dwarf wizard who’d exiled him, he’d have to continue to serve his master and serve him well. As payment, he’d been promised enough magical power to destroy the Theiwar wizard, and since Oddvar desired vengeance more than anything, he intended to be a very good servant, indeed.
After a time, Oddvar heard a soft flapping of wings. The shadow of a dark bird passed over Solinari, and then the bird landed next to the dwarf. The black falcon folded its wings against its sleek body and looked at Oddvar with a piercing gaze.
The Theiwar seemed to listen attentively for several moments, though if anyone else had been in the alley with him, they would have heard nothing.
“Yes, my lord,” Oddvar said in the merest of whispers. “I am currently in the alley next to the inn where the children sleep. They plan to leave for the temple at sunrise. But there have been certain … complications.”
The falcon cocked its head, and its small black eyes gleamed with what Oddvar took to be restrained anger. Oddvar then spoke of how Davyn and Nearra, for reasons unknown to the dwarf, were now accompanied by a redheaded warrior and akender. He also told the falcon how the elf at the Blind Goose had been hired as their guide instead of him.
The falcon regarded Oddvar for a few moments, then the dwarf nodded. “I will do as you command, my lord.”
The falcon bobbed its head, as if nodding, then spread its wings and once more took to the sky.
Oddvar stood, picked up his cloak, and put it back on. Then he silently walked out of the alley. Making sure to keep to the shadows, he made his way toward the northern edge of town. He needed to meet Slean and tell her of the plan for tomorrow.
Oddvar grinned. For the first time in his life, he was actually looking forward to a sunrise.
Maddoc released his hand from the mirror’s pulsating surface, severing the psychic link to his falcon. He sat in a high-backed leather chair in front of a huge fireplace. To his left stood the large upright mirror that allowed him to contact Shaera, his beloved familiar. His white robe was gone, exchanged for one that was a far more appropriate shade of black. Though there was room for much more wood in the fireplace, only a few logs burned. Since Maddoc was the only one in the room—not counting his faithful pet, of course—he saw no need for a large blaze. The wizard was a practical man and despised waste.
“That boy is more of a disappointment than ever,” muttered Maddoc. Lying next to Maddoc’s chair, the Beast growled softly and lifted its horned head. Its eyes, red slits deeply set beneath a furry
Nearra felt sorrow for her new friend. “But you were only a squire. Surely the other Knights would have understood what happened.”
“Perhaps they would have,” Catriona said. “But I cannot forgive myself. I have vowed to travel throughout the land, living without a home and performing chivalrous deeds until such time as I finally redeem myself and regain my honor.”
“And when will that be?” Nearra asked.
Catriona didn’t answer. She lay down and rolled over, her back to Nearra. Several moments later the warrior’s breathingdeepened, and Nearra realized that Catriona had fallen asleep. Or at least she wanted Nearra to believe that she had.
Nearra lay back down and looked up at the ceiling once more and waited for sleep to come. She had to wait a long time.
Oddvar sat in an alley with his back against the wall. Now that it was finally dark, he didn’t have to wear his cloak, though he could have done without the light from the moons above. Solinari was three-quarters full, while the red moon Lunitari was half full. He could have done without the temperature, too. The caverns where the Theiwar lived were pleasantly cool and damp, not hot and sticky like Solamnia in summertime. But if Oddvar ever wished to return home and get revenge on the cursed dwarf wizard who’d exiled him, he’d have to continue to serve his master and serve him well. As payment, he’d been promised enough magical power to destroy the Theiwar wizard, and since Oddvar desired vengeance more than anything, he intended to be a very good servant, indeed.
After a time, Oddvar heard a soft flapping of wings. The shadow of a dark bird passed over Solinari, and then the bird landed next to the dwarf. The black falcon folded its wings against its sleek body and looked at Oddvar with a piercing gaze.
The Theiwar seemed to listen attentively for several moments, though if anyone else had been in the alley with him, they would have heard nothing.
“Yes, my lord,” Oddvar said in the merest of whispers. “I am currently in the alley next to the inn where the children sleep. They plan to leave for the temple at sunrise. But there have been certain … complications.”
The falcon cocked its head, and its small black eyes gleamed with what Oddvar took to be restrained anger. Oddvar then spoke of how Davyn and Nearra, for reasons unknown to the dwarf, were now accompanied by a redheaded warrior and akender. He also told the falcon how the elf at the Blind Goose had been hired as their guide instead of him.
The falcon regarded Oddvar for a few moments, then the dwarf nodded. “I will do as you command, my lord.”
The falcon bobbed its head, as if nodding, then spread its wings and once more took to the sky.
Oddvar stood, picked up his cloak, and put it back on. Then he silently walked out of the alley. Making sure to keep to the shadows, he made his way toward the northern edge of town. He needed to meet Slean and tell her of the plan for tomorrow.
Oddvar grinned. For the first time in his life, he was actually looking forward to a sunrise.
Maddoc released his hand from the mirror’s pulsating surface, severing the psychic link to his falcon. He sat in a high-backed leather chair in front of a huge fireplace. To his left stood the large upright mirror that allowed him to contact Shaera, his beloved familiar. His white robe was gone, exchanged for one that was a far more appropriate shade of black. Though there was room for much more wood in the fireplace, only a few logs burned. Since Maddoc was the only one in the room—not counting his faithful pet, of course—he saw no need for a large blaze. The wizard was a practical man and despised waste.
“That boy is more of a disappointment than ever,” muttered Maddoc. Lying next to Maddoc’s chair, the Beast growled softly and lifted its horned head. Its eyes, red slits deeply set beneath a furry
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