Read Online The Shadowed Manse by David Alastair Hayden, Pepper Thorn - Free Book Online Page A

But you do have one companion now.” Ylliara smiled at Morgan. “All your father had in the end was your mother, and she spent most of her time raising you. Traditionally, every Multiversal Paladin traveled with twelve companions. Frequently, these were siblings and cousins, uncles and aunts, who might take on the Mantle should the Paladin fall and who had the training to combat the forces of darkness. Though that wasn’t always the case: There are brave individuals of unique skill throughout the Prime Universe. “
    “Okay, so what do I do now?” Arthur asked.
    “Rest for a few hours, then go through those doors and into the Grand Hallway. Fight the wraiths and shades within and free the Manse. Otherwise, the three of us will die.”
    “Great, we’re doomed,” Arthur muttered.
    “Off the Grand Hallway you will find the Armory. It is the third door to your right. Go there first and arm yourselves. Hopefully Bright-Cage, the Sword of the Multiversal Paladin, is still here somewhere. It is the most powerful weapon we have, other than the Paladin himself.
    “The shades you fought in here were summoned from a dark-heart. I feel confident that all the shades in the Manse came from dark-hearts. That will make things somewhat easier for you. But the wraiths and the warlock do not have such a weakness. I also fear that my arrival has further alerted the Entropians to your presence. As the stone in here was once dormant, then awoke when you entered, I am certain that all of the stones have now come alive.”
    “Are you sure you can’t help us fight them?” Arthur asked.
    Ylliara shook her head as a lantern winked out. “There is no time. And the Law of Aetheria forbids me to take direct action in the Prime Universe.”
    “You can’t break that law?” Morgan asked. “Because this is looking pretty bleak.”
    “I would break the law if I could, but I cannot,” Ylliara said, sadly. “I will be able to help you in other ways, though. You saw me strengthen the glowing triskelion sigil that has the enemy locked out of this room. If my senses are correct, my mother had a chance to place them across many doorways throughout the Manse. The sigils are fading now, but once I restore the Manse, that should rejuvenate them. Your enemies cannot cross that barrier unless … well, you should be safe. You and Morgan, however, can walk through the sigils without difficulty.”
    She took a deep breath. “Now, there is one other quite significant thing I can do to help you out — a way in which my particular power can aid you immensely. I shall numenate you.”
    “You’ll what?” Arthur said.
    “I don’t have time to explain,” she said, as another lantern flickered out. The room was almost as dark now as when they had first entered. “What I’m about to do will knock you unconscious for a short while. You will be safe, however. And when you wake, do not be alarmed at what you see. No harm shall come to you. I will be gone by then, my essence bound to the Manse, but I will be here with you in spirit. Farewell, Morgan Apple. Farewell, Master Paladin. I wish you good fortune. On you much depends.”
    Ylliara reached out and touched her forefinger to the middle of Morgan’s forehead. Morgan collapsed, unconscious. Before Arthur could react, Ylliara did the same to him. As he fell unconscious, he heard the howl of a wolf and the growling of a big cat.

Chapter Seven
     
    The Lynx, the Wolf, and the Valet
     
     
    Something cold and damp nudged Arthur’s cheek. He swatted it away and fell back into a deep slumber. Something rough and wet scraped across his nose. Annoyed, he shoved … whatever it was … away and returned to sleep. Something batted him on the jaw. That roused him halfway. Another strike followed — ow! — and someone hissed:
    “Oh, for Pete’s sake.”
    Arthur awoke, groggily — forced his eyes open — and nearly screamed as he shoved himself back against the wall. A lynx was looming over him, an