Master Of The Planes (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

belt, and the third descending almost to his knees.  In his right hand he held a heavy throwing axe, twirling its haft about his fingers, with the same idle ease that a scribe might spin a pencil.
    The thief slipped awkwardly from his saddle and bowed low before the blond dwarf leader.  “I am Kaylan-ap-Stonehelm,” he introduced himself.
    Abroath saw the flicker of surprise cross the dwarf’s brow before he returned the greeting in kind.  “Pardig-ap-Lupus.”  As he straightened Pardig gave the thief another shrewd look.  “You’re awful tall for a dwarf, Master Kaylan-ap-Stonehelm.” 
    Kaylan gave a self-deprecating moue in apology for his deformity, before Pardig went on “I am not familiar with your clan name either.  Where is it the Stonehelms hail from?” 
    The thief got no chance to answer for the two dwarves at the far end of the line suddenly broke ranks.  They came running up as a pair, one dark, one blond, and clapped Kaylan firmly on the shoulder, or at least as close to that point as they could reach.
    “I said it was our longshanks,” the dark one said.
    “Did you ever find that girl you was looking for?” the other demanded.
    The thief stumbled beneath their good natured greeting, but managed to perform another pair of wincing bows.  “Mag-ap-Bruin, Glim-ap-Bruin,” he greeted the darker and the lighter dwarf in turn.  “It has been too long, and much has happened since we last met.”
    “Indeed it has, indeed it has, Longshanks,” the dwarves replied.
    “Ye can vouch for this overgrown Dwarf?” Pardig’s query drew a bout of fierce nodding from the brothers ap-Bruin.  “And his companion?”
    Abroath suddenly felt all eyes on him.  He dismounted quickly. To remain on horseback seemed likely to infuriate these creatures of lesser stature, or so his brothers’ tales would suggest.
    “This is Prior Abroath,” Kaylan made the introduction.  “He has been looking after my health of late.”
    Abroath bowed as low as he dared while the darker haired Mag muttered, “well judging by your face young longshanks, he’s not been doing a very good job.”
    Kaylan laughed painfully.  “You should have seen it before the prior set his healing hands to work.  Prior Abroath, may I present the brothers Mag-ap-Bruin and Glim-ap-Bruin.  I was for a time the guest of their brother Bar-ap-Bruin.  Like you they have had occasion to nurse me back to health.”
    “Aye, has that lady of yours been leading you into more foolhardy orc-bothering?”  Glim asked. 
    “Reunions, for all the joy they may bring, are not our chief business here today.” Pardig tried to assert his authority.
    “Nor ours,” Abroath concurred.
    “We are on our way to the court of Prince Rugan,” the Dwarven leader announced.  “Delegates from the ten clans of the Hadrans.”
    “We are bound there ourselves,” Arbroath said.  “Though I hear the half-elf’s court is a place of uncertain welcomes.”
    “Welcome or not, master Prior, we have news for the great lords and ladies that meet there.  News the High Council agreed we should share.” Pardig replied.  “Things have been changing in the fallen province of Undersalve.”

***
    “Seneschal!  Seneschal Kimbolt!”
    Kimbolt did not register his new title at first and it was not until the queen added his name that the former captain stopped and turned to face her.
    She must have hurried down the steps from Rugan’s new raised council chamber for her cheeks were flushed.  The other council members dispersed around them, seeking the warmth and comfort of the main palace.  Kimbolt waited for the queen’s command and, when she gave none, but merely stared at him he dipped his chin in enquiry.  “Your Majesty?”
    “Come Kimbolt, Seneschal Kimbolt, walk a while with me in the gardens.”
    The tips of his ears were burning and his voice cracked a little as he responded, “yes, your Majesty.”
    They walked in silence for some minutes, threading