Paladins of Shannara: The Black Irix (Short Story) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the stronghold hundreds
     of feet high. The outer walls were manned, and the ramparts throughout bristled with
     mounted crossbows and catapults of all shapes and sizes. Massive towers buttressed
     the ends of those walls, and provided slits cut into the stone for firing on unfortunate
     attackers.
    The whole of the fortress was blackened by ash and soot and pitted by age and weather,
     yet even where there were signs of erosion the huge stone blocks were so deep and
     so broad that there was little impact. The gates were ironbound and twenty feet high,
     their tops spiked and ragged. The guards on the wall wore heavy armor and carried
     huge pikes.
    Even an entire army would have trouble getting into this citadel, Shea thought.
    Then it occurred to him that getting out might turn out to be every bit as hard as
     getting in.
    “You’re sure about this?” Shea asked Panamon Creel impulsively, but the thief just
     smiled.
    They rode out of the badlands and up to the huge gates, Panamon leading the way and
     showing no particular concern for what lay ahead. When they arrived at the walls,
     he called up to the watch to let them enter, giving his name. To the surprise of the
     Ohmsford brothers, the gates opened almost at once, allowing them to pass through
     and enter a courtyard where they were met by other guards. They dismounted, and their
     horses were taken from them and led away. A member of the household staff, clearly
     identifiable by his more ornate garb, came out to meet them and led them inside.
    The interior of the stronghold wasn’t much to look at, consisting for the most part
     of stone-block walls lacking decoration or softness; hard, bare surfaces were clearly
     the preferred decor. They passed down countless hallways, climbed dozens of steps,
     and entered and departed numerous chambers before finally reaching a dining room where
     they were met by other members of the household staff and taken to seats at a long
     wooden table. Platters of food were brought, and they were urged by their guide to
     eat all they wanted. All three were hungry enough not to argue the matter or ask after
     their host, and they set about consuming everything in sight. Ale was poured and musicians
     appeared from behind curtains, and all at once it felt like a festive celebration.
    “Why are they so happy to see us?” Shea asked Panamon at one point, leaning close
     so that the attendants wouldn’t hear.
    The thief shrugged. “I told you. Chule considers me a friend. He’s trying to make
     an impression.”
    Shea let the matter drop and went back to eating the first good meal they’d enjoyed
     since leaving the Vale. But just as he was finishing, he noticed that a number of
     guards from the gates had entered the room and were standing watch at all the doors.
     A sickening feeling swept through him.
    He was about to alert Flick when a small, ferret-faced man with a thick mop of black
     hair and a heavy mustache entered the room and called out to Panamon in a surprisingly
     deep voice.
    “Well met, old friend!” he boomed. “Welcome, welcome!”
    Panamon rose at once and moved out to greet him with arms open wide. Hugs and backslapping
     followed, and Shea thought it all just a little overdone given what Panamon had come
     here to do. But he supposed the thief felt it was necessary or he wouldn’t be doing
     it.
    When they finally ended their embrace, Kestra Chule turned to Shea and Flick. “And
     these are your young friends.” He made it a statement of fact. Smiling broadly, his
     hands extended, he walked over to greet them. “Welcome to my home. So good of you
     to come.”
    He shook their hands and then looked past them. “Guards,” he called out.
    Before they realized what was happening, Shea and Flick had been seized and their
     wrists bound. Without a word to either of them, Panamon stepped forward, reached into
     Shea’s tunic, and withdrew the pouch containing the Elfstones.
    “Sorry about this, Shea,”