In Camelot’s Shadow: Book One of The Paths to Camelot Series (Prologue Fantasy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the same brilliant color.
    Risa was rooted to the spot, unable to move or think. The great, green giant smiled so broadly she could see that his teeth were indeed emeralds that flashed in the sun.
    “It’s called chess,” the giant’s voice boomed all around Risa’s head. “And a merry game it is too.” His eyes glittered as if he had caught two stars in them. “Would you learn this game of nations and of power, pretty maiden? Step forward, then.”
    Risa found her feet moving. Without any thought or help from her, they carried her body into the sunlit meadow until she stood over the board. Now she saw the figurines were people, men and women all standing on a board inlaid with neat squares of ebony and ivory.
    “Now, then.” The giant winked at her. “Which side for you, pretty one? The red?” He pursed his lips and wrinkled his brow. “I think not, though the red king knows you passing well.” He plucked a scarlet figurine from its place and Risa saw a man with a lean, lined face and hooded eyes who wore long robes like a nobleman, or a monk.
    “The white is your side, and the white queen is your protector, I think.” Another figurine lay nestled in the hallow of his enormous palm, although Risa didn’t see him put down the first. This one was a woman, perfectly formed, with a circlet on her long hair. Her eyes were wide and her face was wise, somehow. “And with her, the white king, but not before the white knight.” Another figurine appeared in his palm. This was a man on a horse, holding his spear aloft and his shield before him. Risa could not see his face, but she clearly saw the five-pointed star carved on the shield.
    “Will these three keep you from the red king and the red castle?” The giant shook his head gravely. His palm was empty.
    “You do not speak, pretty one. Perhaps chess is not the game for you?” The sparkling green smile grew fierce. Risa felt her heart fluttering against her ribcage, but still she could not move. “Perhaps you prefer riddles? Excellent!” The giant slapped the stump and all the figurines rattled on their board. “Now, answer me this and be quick, pretty one,” he leaned over her, blocking the sun with his great, green head. “What is it every woman wants?”
    The scene in front of her began to fade and blur, as if her eyes had filled with tears. The giant laughed again, accompanied by the shrill giggling of his minute companion. “Answer! Answer!” he ordered. “Answer, my pretty one!”
    A noise. From the forest. A sharp, high barking. Drawing closer. The dogs. The dogs had found her.
    Risa found her tongue could move.
    “Sweet Mother Mary, save me!” she screamed.
    And she was alone.
    All the strength fled from Risa’s body and she fell backwards onto the forest floor.
    For a long moment, she lay there blinking stupidly at the leaves above her. She heard the barking coming closer. All at once her hounds swarmed over her, whining, nosing and licking. They put their heavy feet on her stomach, squeezing out what little breath she had.
    “Off, off,” she grunted. She managed to heave herself upright.
    “Lady Risa!” Aeldra’s voice drifted through the trees. “My lady, where are you?”
    Risa got to her feet. Her gaze swam, but steadied. The clearing was empty save for herself and the nosing, wagging dogs.
    It was nothing. A dream. I have been too long out in the sun. I fainted, perhaps, or sat down to rest and dreamed
.
    But then her gaze drifted across the rotting tree stump and she saw on it two figurines, one red, one white. Her heart in her mouth, she crossed to look at them. The red one was a tall woman, the very essence of beauty and perfection. She wore chains around her neck and bracelets on her arms. Her robes fell in heavy folds over her feet.
    The white figure was a hag. It stooped to half the red lady’s height. It was a grizzled, toothy horror gaping up at Risa with a pig’s glaring eyes.
    “My lady!” A crashing and thrashing