Renown of the Raithlin: Book One of the Raithlindrath Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

tumbled to the ground.
    The two remaining combatants looked at one another
in silence. All the elug’s companions had been killed, and though it still
carried a sword Lanrik read fear in its eyes. A slow smile spread across his
face, and he took a step forward.
    That was too much for the elug. It sprang away and
fled across the summit and down the southern path of the tor. Lanrik could have
retrieved his bow and winged an arrow after it but chose to watch instead.
    He wanted one elug to survive and take word
back to the army. In this way the breaking of the drùgluck taboo, and the
consequences, would spread and the elug’s superstition be aroused. It would
infect them, spread through their ranks and fester. And he would work to deepen
their fear. Soon the steps of the army would slow, and though driven on by
their commanders, vital time would be won for Esgallien.
    “Fly!” he called after the elug. “Fly, but listen
for the footfalls of doom that chase you!”
    The elug crashed down the slope, and Lanrik worked
quickly to bandage his shoulder and stop the flow of blood. The wound, though
painful, was superficial. He hoped it would not interfere with his plans.
    He climbed the boulder once more and studied the
plains. The army was coming closer, and the lone figure of the elug raced
toward it. He chuckled. The elug ran as though the fear of death was upon it.
His plan had started well, but there was much more to do. He must continue in a
like vein until the army marched in dread. Let their masters drive them on!
They would go forward, but reluctantly, and each moment they lost was time
gained for his people.
    He dropped off the boulder and lit the fire once
more, piling it high with green branches until smoke rose in billowing clouds.
That would give the army something to wonder about.
    He was grateful to his uncle, for it was he who had
taught him the skills put to use just now. How he wished he could tell him, but
his uncle was lost.
    Sadness nearly overwhelmed him, and he glanced at
Lathmai's cairn. Does your fate await all Esgallien?
    His determination reasserted itself, and his
thoughts turned back to the approaching army. There was more that he must yet
dare in order to protect his home.

 
3. Footfalls of Doom
     
     
    Lanrik gathered his weapons and started on his plan.
What he did now would give him the opportunity to slow the army. But only if he
seeded into the enemy’s consciousness the illusion of a supernatural agency at
work that punished them for breaking the drùgluck taboo.
    He dragged the slain elugs to the base of Lathmai’s
cairn and positioned them on their knees with their heads bowed to the ground.
It made them look as though they offered repentance. He felt these actions were
macabre, even if they were necessary. He quickly removed a back scabbard and
scimitar from one of the elugs. Adjusting the strap, he fitted the weapon on
himself. It felt cumbersome but would serve a vital purpose later.
    He took the remaining blades and scabbards and
heaped them in the fire. Carefully, he kicked live coals over them and the
hardened leather smoldered and discolored. The hilts of the scimitars were
partly visible, and the next wave of enemy scouts would quickly discover that
one was missing if they dug them out. It would give them a clue to his
intentions, but he doubted they would be so thorough.
    He stepped back and surveyed what he had done. It
was a disquieting tableau and would insinuate itself into the enemy’s
superstitious mind. A final touch occurred to him and he retrieved some
charcoal, which he rubbed over each elug’s left palm. He placed their blackened
hands upwards and retained a handful of charcoal to finish off his idea when he
descended the tor. His plan was taking shape.
    He looked sadly at the cairn and wished Lathmai a
silent farewell. Much had happened on the tor, but there had been too little
time for the important things. I wish I could talk to you one more time. I wish I could