The White Shadow Saga: The Stolen Moon of Londor Read Online Free

giving your kindred and the rest of the world their
strengths."
    Faragen nodded and, turning, motioned for the
army to rise. "What is your next command, Gildan?" Faragen
asked.
    "Search for the wounded first." He paused,
and knew his next words would not be pleasant for the Obinoth to
hear. "Then I want you to bury the slain in this forest. Collect
all their personal items, for these shall be returned to their
proper places in your kingdom."
    "It shall be done."
    Faragen took sole command of the army and led
them southward, leaving Randor and Gildan behind.
    "I will require an exact count of those
alive," Gildan said.
    "All in good time," replied Randor. As they
strode into the thick of the forest, the magic light dimmed and
then was no more.
    "I have to admit that I can no longer
remember the reason for this war's beginning," Gildan confided in
Randor. "My memory has been altered by the constant change of
conflicting feelings." He laughed quietly. "I almost forget how
much gold the Obinoth king gave me, but I am not that far gone
yet."
    "The Rhingar may not be prepared to strike
again soon," Randor said, "but I am sure another force will greet
the Obinoth in the future."
    "If I catch wind of an uprising, I may
consider aiding the good people of Obinoth again--if the price is
in my favor." He wiped his blade clean with a small white cloth and
sheathed it.
    Their pace slackened as they drew closer to
the Obinoth, who were already at work over their fallen brave,
using small spades and hatchets to dig beneath the forest
floor.
    A group of soldiers searched the forest for
survivors, and when Faragen appeared from behind a great beech
tree, his expression unclear, Gildan and Randor greeted the elf
kindly.
    "What tidings do you bring?" Gildan
asked.
    "Sixty-three have been returned to us, sir,
only a few of them seriously afflicted. This raises the count of
Obinoth within the forest to three-hundred and twelve."
    "Thank you," replied Gildan, and Faragen
saluted, proceeding with his duties.
    Randor studied the heavens, deep in thought.
"The dawn approaches. We must be away with the sun."
    "Their labors here will be complete before
then," Gildan assured him.
    "Sixteen days shall it be before we see the
border of the Obinoth kingdom. It will be a wondrous sight,
Gildan."
    "I can already smell the gold set aside for
me."
    * * *
    The two were standing alongside the grave,
which was six feet deep and stretched ninety feet in length. The
slain elves were laid inside with great reverence. Swords and
jewelry were removed and stored on the path leading out of the
forest. Randor propped his back against a tree and looked into his
tobacco pouch, noticing that it was almost empty. It would be five
days before they reached a decent city.
    Finished at last with the burial, the elves
filled the grave with dirt and tamped and smoothed the earth. The
sounds of labor ceased, and Gildan turned to the soldiers. Without
uttering a word, the battalion came to attention and awaited
command.
    "Those bound to the possessions of the dead
do so as we move out. We take the high pass and rest upon the
Plains of Erogd tonight. At sunrise we make haste to Obinoth."
Gildan's speech was drowned by a deafening cry of happiness from
his elves. Raising his hand, he brought silence back to the forest.
"I am honored to stand before you as your leader. You ennoble my
existence." He smiled, looked to Randor, and turned back to his
elves. "So, come. Let us march, my friends."
    Gildan pointed to the west, and the army set
off. Seventy elves remained behind and secured the belongings of
the dead to their persons, each latching three or four swords to
his belt and tucking jewelry into side pouches.
    Only Gildan and Randor stood reflecting in
the forest. Randor stood upright and dusted off his cloak. "Come
ahead, my good elf," Randor said, beckoning.
    * * *
    Free at last of the darkened forest, Randor
and Gildan followed the path under the shining heavens, listening
to the