Ghosts Of Alfhaven (Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

there, you'll need it.”

Chapter 3

    Sawain followed Ilias out of the cart, eyes still stuck on the Arborhart. They stood at the gates of the great citadel. The walls stretched so far in either direction that Sawain could barely tell where they turned inward. Two ghostly soldiers dressed in transparent white armor stood on either side of the gate, each one leaning on a long spear made of the same misty material as their armor and bodies.
    The armor looked to be some sort of gleaming metal. It was full plate mail that was adorned with vine-like etchings. The pauldrons and upper leg plates were shaped like broad leaves. The helmets on their heads looked like they were made of a sort of leaf mail mesh. The metallic canopy on their heads flowed down across the backs of their necks.
    They stared straight ahead, as if they could see something that Sawain could not. Being in their presence unnerved him. Their eyes turned on him and met his gaze, which chilled him to the bone. Ilias gave him a shove from the back, which caused him to stagger forward.
    “ It's not polite to stare, Sawain. Come on, move your feet. You don't want to keep the elders waiting.”
    He shot a backwards glare at the pushy guard and marched dutifully toward the gates. The two guards spoke at the same time, stopping Sawain in his tracks.
    “Halt. Who approaches the Arborhart Gate? State your business.”
    Sawain could not find his tongue. He stammered nonsensically for a moment. He heard Ilias sigh and take a breath.
    “I am Ilias of the Arborgard, Deepglade Prison Unit. I am transporting prisoner Sawain Thrallborn of Anvilheim to his trial before the Triumvirate of Elders.”
    The ghosts studied the pair for a moment, then raised their spears and slammed the butts of the weapons against the earth. The misty aura in the air intensified and condensed on the gates of the Arborhart. Sawain watched in amazement as the intricately woven gates pulled themselves apart, much like the smaller door at the prison, but on a grander scale. The guards spoke again when they were fully open.
    “You may enter. The elders are expecting you, Sawain Thrallborn.”
    Ilias gave the ghostly sentries a respectful bow and ushered Sawain inside. The gates quickly closed behind them. Sawain let his eyes wander all over the outer courtyard of the Arborhart. The walkway they strode across was made of the same white wood, woven together in a tight knot pattern about five feet wide. It stretched across a green lawn from the gate to the central tower. It also branched off to the left and right, weaving through beautiful hedge gardens adorned with violet and blue flowers. Sawain found the courage to speak again as he took in the view.
    “So, you know a lot more about me than you let on earlier.”
    Ilias chuckled, “I was just being friendly.”
    Sawain snorted, “The others around here should take a lesson from you. Say, Ilias, You didn't happen to see a couple of halflings come into the prison the same time I did, did you? One was a man with a thin blonde beard and close cut hair, the other was a woman who would have been in very bad shape.”
    Ilias nodded, a grim demeanor veiling his face, “Aye, the woman was in poor condition, she was taken to the infirmary. I haven't seen her since. The other one was locked up in Deepglade as well. He ranted and raved like a wild animal for three days before he wore himself out. I didn't know that halflings could be so full of stamina.”
    Sawain nodded, “Is he still there?”
    “ Yes,” Ilias answered, “but I doubt the Elders will let him go any time soon. He did quite a number on poor Lieutenant Bauthas.”
    Sawain sighed. He remembered the temper Jatharr was capable of stoking when put in stressful situations. He resolved mentally to free his friend as well. He was confident that the elders would listen to him once he told them who he was.
    Ilias led him into the main tower of the Arborhart. It was larger inside than it looked from the