Krael's Gambit: Book two of the Shadenkar Series

By James Richards

Dragons have returned to Aeldrin; the world they had left to the younger races, in ages long past. Ellyse Silversword finds herself at the forefront of the resistance to the Arch Mage Thaendril's insane machinations. Petty political drama and long standing racial prejudices must be overcome or the eternal evils of Thaendrils fiendish forces will burn across all of Aledrin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Richards
• Release date: Dec 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9780991716210

Book preview

KRAEL’S GAMBIT:

BOOK TWO OF THE SHADENKAR SERIES.

By: Kenneth Moody and James Richards.

Copyright © 2013 Kenneth Moody and James Richards

Cover and map illustrations by James Richards

Published by James Richards at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of its authors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

ISBN: 978-0-9917162-1-0

DEDICATIONS:

For my sister, Michelle.

Kenneth Moody

For Karen, without your brilliance of spirit there would be no light by which to write.

James Richards

PROLOGUE

Hadrin’s broom brought small zephyrs of dust to life as it moved hastily across the floor of his master’s den. He loathed these menial tasks of the day, ever dreaming of how wondrous it would be to adventurer and live out grand tales equal to the ones his master often told. The young man had barely begun to hum, attempting to keep the boredom at bay when he heard a knock at the door. Hastily putting the broom against the fireplace, Hadrin walked briskly to answer the caller before his master’s rest was broken by the knocking. Upon opening the door, Hadrin found a young woman standing on the porch with a friendly smile on her face, and a parcel in her hands.

Can I help you, miss? The apprentice quickly looked over the woman as he spoke. Glossy black hair hung to her shoulders, and deep brown eyes gleaming as they were lit by her radiant and genuine smile. Compared to most of the women Hadrin had seen about town, this one was indeed striking.

I’m looking for the High Priest. I was told that he lived in this abode? The young woman tried peering beyond Hadrin to glimpse another person beyond him. I have a gift for him to honor his birthday.

A look of horror smote Hadrin’s face as the woman’s words reminded him that it was indeed his master’s birthday. What a fool! How could he forget such a date? His mind returned to the present quickly, and the woman standing before him. Something about this raven haired diminutive woman seemed familiar, yet just beyond his mind’s grasp.

You were informed correctly, miss, however my master has relinquished his duties to the temple due to his failing health. If you would come in and take a seat near the fire, I will see if he can be roused. Who might I say is calling?

Thank you kindly, my feet could use the warmth of a fire. My name is Ellyse. She walked towards the fire with a grace that would put an elf to shame.

My master writes tales of a woman named Ellyse, fantastic stories from his youth. I’ll just see if he’s able to come down and see you now. Hadrin closed the door, and then hustled up the stairs to his master’s chambers as his mind raced. This woman fit the description of the Ellyse his master spoke so often of, almost exactly. Hadrin shook his head as he laughed inwardly at his foolhardiness. This woman downstairs surely must be her daughter, he thought to himself as he quietly opened the door to his master’s bedchamber.

Master, are you awake?

I am indeed, Hadrin, the gods saw fit to allow me to wake once more it seems. The old man’s tone almost sounded disappointed to Hadrin’s ears. I heard a knock at the door, do we have a guest?

Yes, master, a young woman calling herself Ellyse has arrived with a parcel for you. The young man spoke as he helped the old man up from his bed, and then lent his shoulder for support as he escorted his master downstairs.

The young woman’s eyes shone a little brighter, and her smile widened, as she saw the two men enter the den. She hurriedly offered aid to Hadrin in depositing the old man comfortably into his chair by the fire. The aged gentleman locked his eyes on the woman and brought a wrinkled hand to caress her cheek as she knelt beside his chair.

It’s been a long time, my dear. I had thought that I might not see you again before the gods whisked me away from this place. The old man turned his eyes to look wistfully into the fire as Hadrin had seen him do quite often. Hadrin spoke of a parcel? I’m surprised anyone remembered an old man’s birthday. I don’t suppose it’s a vial of water from the Fountain of Youth?

Ellyse giggled at the man’s words, and then reached behind her for the parcel she had brought with her, and presented it to him. Hadrin aided his master in opening the parcel, and revealed a dusky tome with silver binding and a clasp in the shape of a dragon’s head. Hadrin could feel warmth emanating from the book. The young man heard an awkward sound, and looked towards his master to see the old man crying.

Leopold Greyhawk, you have been a friend to me and mine, for the majority of your life. The elders agreed to my request in bequeathing this gift to one whose aid can never be forgotten. The woman spoke with a voice that suddenly seemed to surround them, as if it were coming from the very walls.

Is this what I think it is, Ellyse? After all these years, can I finally atone for my failing?

I bring the gift of possibility, old friend, but your faith must hold the power to bring forth that which your heart desires most.

I still hear him in my dreams, Ellyse. Through the years, he keeps telling me to let go. How can I do that knowing what he sacrificed for me?

You have the words now, Leopold, the magic of the Shadenkar themselves is within that book. Your time here is short, my friend, spend it wisely. The young woman leaned in to kiss the old man on the forehead before walking towards the door. Either way you decide to do this, Leopold, please let him know we all still remember him.

With that said, the woman closed the door as she left the small house.

Hadrin stood beside his master confused by what had just happened, his eyes still fixed on the book in his master’s lap. The young man stood there helpless as the elder man wept into his own hands softly.

CHAPTER ONE

Garett opened his eyes slowly, reluctant to release the dreams of apple dumplings as an earthquake struck. The diminutive halfling shrugged off his daze, a little perturbed to find that he was being roughly shaken by Brae. This rude awakening put the usually bubbly halfling into a rather foul mood, so when he saw Thurdin still snoring a few feet away from him, he felt the need to dig his right foot into the dwarf’s backside. Garett was more incensed when the dwarf merely snorted and rolled over to his other side, completely ignoring the halfling’s attempt to squelch his dreams. The little man’s attention was quickly diverted from his sleeping friend when his eyes caught the shimmer of gold.

The halfling stood up and looked about in wonder. Two beds, a wardrobe and four chairs around a circular table furnished the windowless room with only one door. Everything inside was made of gold, and that put an eerily broad smile on the halfling’s face. Brae now moved towards the door, as Thurdin finally began to rouse from his slumber.

Look at this, Thurdin. I haven’t even seen dwarves this rich! Garett chirped in excitement as he helped his dwarven companion up from the bed. Thurdin looked about the room with eyes larger than even the halfling’s. Greed was a common character flaw amongst dwarves, and accounted for their continuous delving into deep places in search of evermore riches. The dwarf ran his fingers gently along one wall as if caressing a long absent lover and this brought a burst of laughter from Garett.

Should we give you a few moments alone with the furnishings, Thurdin? Garett spoke as he mocked his dear friend by straddling a golden bedpost, and gyrating his hips. The stout dwarf sputtered a curse in his mother tongue, and lunged at the halfling, missing the little man but managing to find the post with his face.

If you too are finished? Let’s go see where we have ended up now. Brae chided the two as he opened the only door and stepped outside. Thurdin and Garett hurriedly followed their paladin friend wearing expressions of scolded children. The three companions stood in a street paved with gold. Thurdin looked puzzled as he stooped down to feel the cobblestones beneath his feet.

Those aren’t gold, they’re just stones. Why would someone paint a whole city gold? Thurdin pondered aloud, as he tried to keep up with Brae, now briskly walking down the street.

There were town’s folk about, but they moved to avoid the three companions. Brae tried to get the attention of some who just averted their gaze and pretended that he didn’t exist. Frustration was building quickly within the young paladin, and after a short while it was all he could do to not grab someone and shake them incessantly until they spoke with him. He had seen people treated like this in Urntar. Lepers or other such plagued folk. After a few blocks of walking and trying to get some interaction with the denizens of this odd place, they came across a fountain with benches surrounding it. This appeared to be a social gathering place for the townsfolk, as all but one of the benches was occupied with those engaged in conversation.

Hey! What kind of hare-brained thought process led you louts to leaving your house? A rather shrill voice cut into Brae’s left ear.

He turned around, but saw no one speaking to him. Thurdin and Garett were looking at him rather oddly and the stunned halfling pointed beside him. The young paladin turned back to his left and was face to face with a ridiculous looking, hovering gnome wearing a hat with spinning blades.

Just once, I want to be assigned someone whose intellect surpasses that of a simple grey slime. You three need to follow me at once back to your house. Keep wandering around out here and someone WILL eventually pay attention. You don’t want them to notice you yet. Trust me; it’s not pretty when new folk try to force acclimatization.

The flying gnome started moving towards the trio's building of origin, but stopped after a few yards when he didn’t hear footsteps immediately behind him. He turned around to see the three standing in the middle of the road looking at each other in confusion.

Is my gyro-translator malfunctioning? The gnome looked quite annoyed as he fidgeted with his necklace. Well, my device is working perfectly which leads me to believe that you are all indeed daft. Just follow me, and I’ll be sure to give you the tourist spiel using only really small words once we’re back in your house, okay?

Brae was beyond exasperated at this point, having found himself in yet another alien environment, but at least this gnome acknowledged their existence. He motioned for his friends to follow as he walked off after the flying gnome. Thurdin grabbed Garett by the shoulder and less than gently shoved the halfling in the direction they had come, then joined the retreating procession himself.

The hovering gnome stopped at the door to the house and made a grand, though ridiculous looking bow for them to enter. Brae and his friends entered the room they had awoken in earlier, and all faced the strange gnome as he fluttered inside and closed the door. The gnome’s helmet seemed to sputter a bit as he descended to touch feet upon the floor. He paced furiously as he spoke, much like a tiny general addressing his troops.

Rule number one; there will be no wondering around the streets of Clockwork unless you’re accompanied by me. You are strangers in a place that doesn’t take kindly to strangers these days. Now, I’m willing to cut you some slack seeing as you’re friends of Ascoss.

Ascoss? The question came from Thurdin, and elicited a cocked eyebrow along with a halt to the gnome’s pacing.

Ascoss the one who brought you here? The angelic warrior? Did his dimensional teleport wipe your memories perhaps? You folks are wearing some of the most confused expressions I’ve seen in eons. Last time I saw someone who looked as dopey as the halfling, I was knee deep in ale with some dwarves back in Jorheim. Anyways, Ascoss left you here for a few days in my care, and told me that he would be back to collect you when he was able.

You called this place Clockwork. If we are to be stranded here for a time, might you tell us more of our prison? Brae had no patience left in even his usually boundless supply, and the sarcasm dripped from his words like heavy syrup. Even Garett didn’t look like he was having much fun, as he glared at the gnome waiting for him to continue.

The gnome sighed. Clockwork exists as a haven from the ravages of the plane called Limbo. It was created as a neutral ground eons ago to allow for a place to interact outside of the Infernal Wars that have raged since the Elder Gods gave life to the cosmos. Here you will find denizens of any myriad of planes. Every once in a while, some fool tries to bring the war here and find themselves dealt with speedily by the Watcher, our guardian left by the Elder Gods to uphold their law of sanctuary here. In other words, I wouldn’t suggest picking any fights unless you want to run into something even the new gods don’t trifle with.

The gnome looked upon the three companions as he waited to see some hint of their understanding, but all he got in return were more be-fuddled looks. He threw his hands in the air, took his ridiculous helmet off, and sat down on a bed as the friends muttered amongst themselves. After a moment Brae broke out of the huddle, and addressed the gnome.

I apologize for our rude behavior sir, but we have had a very rough few days. I am Brae, and these are my companions Thurdin and Garett. Might we call you something other than gnome?

You can call my Glump. Most of your kind does, as it seems my full name is beyond your pronunciation. Now, if you’re all feeling a bit more relaxed and open minded, I’ll continue. Glump looked to each of the three, and when he saw their expressions soften, he felt comfortable with continuing his orientation. Be warned that though none may cause harm within the confines of Clockwork without invoking the Watcher’s wrath, this doesn’t mean you cannot be harmed. I told you not to wander the streets without me present so as to avoid you getting swindled, and finding yourself in another plane without protection. There are many portals from this place to others and opening the wrong door could land you square in the Abyss.

Enough for now. Who wants some food? Glump smiled as he clapped his hands together and waddled over to the table now set with a delicious feast. Ravenous with hunger the companions took no time to find their seats and partake of this glorious meal with the strange gnome. Even Thurdin’s curiosity was sated and he had no further questions once he bit into a juicy leg of mutton.

********************************

The drums beat louder as the day neared its end, and the hobgoblin army mobilized on the southern horizon. Captain Kendrick sat confidently astride his horse, surveyed the readiness of Helios’ troops, and was pleased at what he saw. Three fresh legions from Urntar. The King’s own, Knights of the Hammer. These twelve hundred men behind him were the finest Helios had to offer by way of soldiery.

The First Legion of the Hammer was comprised of the footmen. Eight hundred fully armed knights clad in full plate armor, tower shields, war hammers and spears. This mass of steel encased death had been known to rout enemy armies before they’ve had the opportunity to engage them in actual combat, so fearsome was their march.

The Second Legion of the Hammer was two hundred strong longbow men. These expertly skilled archers were renowned for the Battle of Harrek, where they cut down a thousand orcs before the beasts had crossed one hundred yards on the field of battle. Veterans of this engagement wore a plain black octagonal badge on their left shoulder to signify their involvement.

The Third Legion of the Hammer was nicknamed ‘Krael’s Thunder’, as the charge of two hundred sets of heavy horse hooves combined with the clamor of plate barding, made the sound of rolling thunder when this troop was on the charge.

"The hobgoblin’s are on the move, Captain. I’ve given orders for the Second Centurion to have his men open fire once the creatures are within range. If this does not turn the horde back,