Frostborn: The World Gate Read Online Free

at all possible, or better yet, to strike before your foe can attack.” 
    “Excellent counsel, Sir Arandar,” said Jager. The halfling’s deep voice always seemed so incongruous coming from such a short man. “Though you overlook the most effective way of killing any man.”
    “What’s that?” said Arandar. From any other halfling, Calliande knew, Arandar would not have accepted such impudence. The two men had formed a peculiar sort of bond over their shared loathing for Tarrabus Carhaine and his servants in the Enlightened of Incariel. 
    “Stab them in the back before they can fight back,” said Jager.
    “It is effective,” said Mara.
    “It hardly seems…knightly,” said Gavin. 
    “It is not,” said Arandar, “when fighting mortal foes of flesh and blood. But when facing creatures of dark magic like urvaalgs or ursaars, it is best to attack without hesitation. Mortal foes can sometimes be swayed by mercy or reason. Creatures like the urvaalgs cannot. If they are allowed to attack, they will kill and kill until they are slain. Normal steel cannot stop them. Only a soulblade can defeat them. Therefore it is our responsibility, as Knights of the Order of the Soulblade, to defend the realm of Andomhaim from the creatures of dark magic.” 
    Gavin nodded. “I understand.”
    Arandar smiled. “Normally I would say that a man so young could not, but after seeing you fight at Urd Morlemoch and Khald Azalar, I think you can.”
    Jager snorted. “Then why make him practice?” 
    “Because I need to be better,” said Gavin.
    “Because the discipline of the sword is a lifelong journey, Master Thief, and one that does not end until death,” said Arandar. “A man may become older and slower, but with diligence, his skill will increase. I would rather face an untrained man at twenty at the height of his strength than a master of the sword at sixty.” 
    “As for me,” said Jager. “I would rather do neither. But I suppose that is why you are the Swordbearers and I am not.” He looked at Mara and grinned, holding out his arm. “Well, my dear, since all the others seem intent upon watching sword practice, shall we keep watch? It would do no good for Sir Gavin to be eaten by a giant spider before he become a master swordsman.” 
    Mara laughed. “It would be tragic.” She glanced at Calliande. “We shall keep watch until Ridmark and Morigna return.”
    Calliande nodded, and Mara and Jager disappeared through the gate. Kharlacht lifted his greatsword, and he and Gavin resumed their practice. Arandar and Caius watched from the side, calling out advice as Gavin dodged and swung, keeping away from Kharlacht’s massive blade with short bursts of speed fueled by Truthseeker. Gavin’s sword work had improved considerably in the months that Calliande had known him, and had become better yet since taking up Truthseeker. He was by no means a master swordsman, but someday he would become one of the most formidable fighters Calliande had ever met.
    If he survived what was to come. 
    Antenora moved to Calliande’s side, her brittle black hair hanging lose around her gray, gaunt face. The woman looked as if she had been dead for some time, but she had been alive for a very long time, ever since she had betrayed Arthur Pendragon and the Keeper on Old Earth long, long ago, and she had sought for redemption and death ever since.  When the Warden had opened his gate, Antenora had been able to cross from the threshold of Old Earth, arriving at last at Andomhaim to seek out the Keeper. Calliande had not been able to lift Antenora’s curse, but she had been able to make the ancient sorceress a promise. When the Frostborn were defeated, if the Frostborn were defeated, that would break the dark magic that had bound Antenora so long ago, and she could die at last. So far, at least, Antenora had been true to her word. 
    “Keeper,” said Antenora. Her voice had a peculiar rasp to it, making her words sound worn and