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

the
race. The balance, not only of the elves but also of the entire
world, was controlled by these two celestial beings. And since
Randor Miithra and the rest of his order were directly connected to
Londor's spirit, the sudden misconfiguration of the moons would
affect all their existence. All of Randor's strength, magic, and
well-being lay solely with heaven's gracious mana. The idea of
Londor's only source of power vanishing was unfathomable.
    What could possibly do
this? Gildan asked himself. What could subject the world to such ultimate
downfall? Gildan staggered, grieving, to his
feet. We are doomed for
certain.
    "What shall we do?" asked Faragen.
    "We must turn to the Council now. Only they
can help. Surely the Great Tree still houses their wisdom in spite
of everything." Gildan turned back to Randor. "Help me carry him
out of this accursed place." The two officers aided Gildan in
lifting Randor up onto their shoulders. He lay heavy in their damp
and shaking hands, but their will was strong.
    The climb was slow and arduous, and now the
only concerns were the moon and Randor, the flush of victory over
the Rhingar already a distant memory. The steep road now lay behind
them as they drew level with the high pass. "Careful," he ordered.
"Make way…" The Obinoth kept their distance from the three bearers
as they advanced to the front. "Right over there." A blanket from a
nearby soldier was placed on the ground as Gildan let go of
Randor's body.
    Not willing to endure further torment, Gildan
took leave of the others and approached the boulder where he and
Randor had stood earlier that same night. The Obinoth army stayed
at Randor's side, grieving.
    What could have been done
to prevent this? Gildan pondered. Could the Council not foresee this before it happened? He crossed his arms and paced aimlessly about, blocking out
his surroundings as he continued to beat his soul with questions he
could never answer. Telsar and Faragen approached unnoticed and
stood at attention. Gildan glared over his shoulder and returned to
his inner quandary.
    "Do you want us to set camp here tonight,
sir?" Telsar asked.
    Gildan nodded slowly. "Try and get as much
rest as possible, for we must be in haste for Obinoth. There is no
doubt you and your soldiers are needed there. I have business
someplace else--yet where is still not known to me. I have the
feeling someone will need my help."
    "Yes, sir," Telsar responded, quickly
returning to the collection of the army.
    "Do we take Randor to Obinoth or to
Mudalfaen?" Faragen asked.
    "Neither, my friend," Gildan answered. "There
were some caverns to the west within Erogd. In three days time we
will place his body in a cave and cover its entrance. Randor dearly
loved Londor--so we shall give him the world as his tomb. He would
have wanted it this way."
    "As you wish," Faragen said.
    Gildan returned his gaze to the troubled
heavens and sighed. The wind changed direction and grew bitterly
cold and the temperature plummeted. It was strange to feel this,
especially in midst summer. "This is, indeed, Londor's greatest
downfall," Gildan whispered.

Chapter Two: A Troubled City

    Two miserable months had passed since the
vanishing of the moon, Beldas, and with each new sunrise Londor
fell ever closer to ruin. Not even the wisest could see the
terrible ending of the world, nor even how much longer life would
carry on. Though the races of men and dwarvenkind did not
physically feel the oncoming downfall, the world around them was
slipping away nonetheless. Wizards of all races lost most of their
abilities, so that even the simplest of spells were all but
impossible to conjure.
    Both the Vinar elves, the most common elves
in the world of Londor, and high elves felt the absence of mana and
were forced to endure continuous pain and sadness day in and day
out, and though the Council of Mudalfaen was painfully aware of the
world's troubles, not even their collective wisdom could make a
whit of difference for the many