Of Shadows and Dragons Read Online Free Page A

fractionally when they reached the bottom of the street and turned toward the Salty Dog . There was no sign of pursuit.
    “What’s this then?” Therian asked.
    Gruum’s head swung around to see there was a group of men standing in front of him. They appeared to be a noble and two men at arms. The men wore chainmail and caps with red plumes. Bits of snow had already caked in the plumes. The tall nobleman between the guards stepped forward. He was taller than the others and wore a fine, blood-red cloak. Even though he appeared to be unarmed except for a finely wrought rapier, he somehow seemed infinitely more menacing than his guardsmen.
    “You gentlemen have had quite a night,” said the nobleman in the red cloak.
    “Indeed we have,” said Therian. “Perhaps you’ve come to congratulate us?”
    “I heard that you’ve mistreated a friend of mine, Fareg.”
     Gruum blinked at that. How could this man have heard the news so quickly? How could he gotten ahead of them—in this snowstorm?
    “I hold no quarter,” said Therian. “I ask no quarter.”
    For the first time, the man in the red cloak looked annoyed. “You would not break me so easily, Hyborean.”
    Therian presented him with a cold smile. “Perhaps not. Would you like to place a wager?”
    “Come to my lodge in the mountain passes and we’ll see to a fair contest.”
    Therian appeared surprised. Gruum rarely saw such an emotion on his master’s face. “Is that an invitation?”
    “It is. You intrigue me. And you should consider that you’ve wore out your welcome in Kem.”
    The noble in red retreated with his men-at-arms up a side street. Therian and Gruum headed in the opposite direction toward the Salty Dog .
    “We will gather our things and leave before dawn,” Therian said.
    “A wise move, milord. We should head straight to the Innsmouth and cast off.”
    Therian looked at him in surprise. “I never wish to set foot upon that scow again. No, we’ll buy horses and head into the countryside.”
    “But the storm, milord.…”
    “You yourself said that we should get out of Kem.”
    “Yes, but…” sputtered Gruum. He had the gold sack in both hands now, and he hugged it to his chest like a babe.
    Therian glanced at the sack. “Ah, I see. You’re natural predilections have come to the fore. I understand, but the Dragon’s breath did not carry us here to secure a sack of coins for you, Gruum.”
    “Yes milord,” said Gruum. Suddenly, he was struck with a thought. “You mean to head to the lodge that nobleman mentioned? Is that it?”
    “It had crossed my mind.”
    “Who was he, sire?”
    Therian stopped and stared at him. “You mean you don’t know? That was Duke Strad.”
    Gruum almost lost his grip on his money sack. “You mean the warlord—the one who rules this city?”
    “The very same.”
    Gruum’s mind raced with fresh worries as they reached the Salty Dog and bought a pair of mountain ponies from the sleepy innkeep.

-5-

    Several hours before dawn, Gruum and Therian followed a road up into the mountains. The snow came down in swirls and gusts, but was not so thickly as to blind them. Soon however, a storm of quiet whiteness would fall over the mountain road, Gruum felt certain of it. He found the thought comforting in some respects. At least their tracks would be covered. He carried a small, hooded lantern. Opening the hood only a notch, so that a yellow slit of light beamed forth, he guided them on the path.
    When dawn broke overhead the dark skies brightened slowly into a gray half-light. Gruum’s worries returned with greater visibility. Pursuit wasn’t far behind. Gruum spotted their pursuers as they made their way up the stony road, which now cut into the side of a mountain. Nine men came, each wearing leathers and flapping cloaks. They were armed with spears and swords. They moved with grim-faced determination.
    “They follow, milord,” said Gruum, applying his spurs to his pony. The beast took a few trotting