Light of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

cry of revulsion Eldrin lurched backward, slamming his head into
the wall behind him. Stars wheeled past his vision as across the floor the
Terstans’ heads swiveled round.
    “He’s awake,” one muttered.
    The other started toward him, and the rat scurried away. In a moment the
two men stood over him. Both had the curd in their eyes. Eldrin watched
them warily, expecting to be kicked or spat upon.
    “Guess he’s gonna make it,” the older one said in a deep, time-roughened
voice.
    “He doesn’t look dangerous,” the younger one commented.
    “Looks mean nothing, Jafeth,” his companion said. He had a bulbous nose
and piglike eyes. “This skinny idiot could bring down the whole realm.”
    Jafeth shifted uncomfortably. “Do you suppose they’re still looking for
him?”
    “Aye, they’re lookin’.”
    “If they find us, I mean, with him and all-“
    “They willna find us.” The bigger man headed back for the bales.

    “They’ll kill us if they do, won’t they?”
    “They willna find us.”
    “But-“
    “It’s the storm, Jafeth?” the older man cried sharply. “By the Words, think
The birds want to go to ground. Even if they force ‘em, the wind and rain
will make ‘em nearly useless. All they have right now is human legs and eyes.
And thousands of places to search. They willna find us.”
    A blinding flash attended by a wall-shaking crack punctuated his claim.
Then the heavens opened in earnest and the roar of a violent downpour obliterated all other sound. Rain pounded the roof, gusted against the windows,
and smacked the streets outside. The Terstans paused, apparently to appreciate its intensity, then returned to their game.
    Eldrin lay still, sick with dread. He did not know what all the talk of birds
meant-probably nothing; all Terstans were mad-but he did know the man
was right about the number of potential hiding places in Southdock and the
limitations of human legs. It could be hours, even days, before he was found.
    The storm continued for some time, lightning and thunder rolling back
and forth across the wide valley in which the royal city of Springerlan
sprawled. Eldrin’s hands went to sleep first, then his arms. His neck ached
like fury, but when he tried to sit up to ease it, he found himself unable, could
only lie in his own blood and misery and pray. His Light will be my refuge. His
name will be my joy.
    Eventually the celestial fireworks ended and the rain eased. Jafeth disappeared into the growing darkness and soon returned with a lantern, a loaf of
bread, and a jug. The lantern he hung from a rod jammed between the bales
of wood. The food and drink he shared with his companion.
    Far off across the bay, the cannon at Kildar Fortress boomed, signaling
day’s end. By now Eldrin had added a powerful thirst to his list of discomforts
and, ironically, the desperate need to relieve himself. He had been squirming
and trying not to moan for some minutes when the older Terstan suddenly
looked round at him, glaring. “What’s the matter with you?”
    In a rasping voice, Eldrin explained his need.
    The Terstan glowered at him for a long time, Jafeth watching warily. Then
he grunted and picked up the jug. “‘Fraid you’ll have to wet yourself, highness,” he sneered. He considered a moment, then started to chuckle. The jug
gurgled as he lifted it and took a long swig.

    Watching him drink was torture. Eldrin swallowed on a raw throat and
closed his eyes. A sudden crash followed by a rumble of footfalls and jingling
metal jerked them open again, in time to see his two guards spring to their
feet. A moment later three men burst from the dark aisle between wool bales
and wall, rapiers drawn. Eldrin’s captors sprang to cut them off.
    “Meridon?” the older one grated.
    “What have you done with him??” the lead swordsman-apparently Mer-
idon-demanded. “If you’ve killed him, so help me-“
    “We’re no murderers,” the big Terstan protested.