Shadow Mage (Blacklight Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page B

stop but his voice was drowned out by the avalanche of war horses all around him. The destrier galloped defiantly into the center of the meadow, rider wielding a great horn bow. Talis raised his hands as if to cast a spell. What could he do to stop him?
    But there was nothing to do. One second the destrier barreled forward, and the next a purple-black mist enveloped the rider and horse whole. Millions of shadow filaments exploded across the meadow, spreading like a flood of terrorized spiders.

5. HUNTING PARTY
     

    The man dressed in ornate leather armor catapulted from his destrier and shot into the air, his legs and arms flapping about. He slammed headfirst onto the unforgiving earth. If the body had been a doll, the head would have popped off. Instead a hideous crack echoed across the meadow, and cries were heard from the guardsmen circling their horses in confusion.
    Talis wanted to move but found his legs were made of lead. His jaw dropped open, gaping at the wreck of a man splayed out, limbs twisted in impossible directions. The man’s face remained untouched other than the look of utter shock in his eyes.
    Mara’s uncle. Her father’s youngest brother. Spoiled to the core, insolent and a black spot on the Lei family name. He’d made a habit of surrounding himself with brawlers, gamblers, liars, and cheats. Ralakh Lei’s guardsmen now rushed to their master’s body, fists pounding the earth. They grabbed their hair, and aimed curses at the gods.
    Mistress Cavares’s face was colorless as she stared at the broken figure. Did she still trust the fate of the gods? A cruel fate indeed. “This will not do,” she mumbled.
    “Not do?” Talis flared his arms in frustration. “A royal has been slain. At least I tried to warn him.”
    “ Warn ?” A guardsman’s low, raspy voice spilled across the meadow. “Warn him of what?”
    He was a giant brute of a man, and his eyes held a vile, murderous gleam that made Talis step back in fear.  
    “Don’t…you don’t understand.” Talis glanced at Mistress Cavares for support but found none. “Can’t you see I’m a royal? I’m Talis of House Storm….”
    “You!” another guardsman shouted and marched up next to the first guardsman. This man had an enormous pot-belly from taking in too much ale and mutton. Pockmarks spread across his face like a bad tattoo.
    The first guardsman stopped the pockmarked man. “I am Taige, first guardsman to Master Ralakh Lei. Until now.” He glanced at the body. “I have failed my Master…”
    Pock-Face leered at Talis. “This one…he’s a troublemaker to young Mara. The Mistress of the House has forbidden Mara from seeing him and yet they still—”
    “Cease your words. Talis Storm is famous in Naru…savior of our fine city.” Taige spat on the ground in disgust. “Now answer my question!”
    “You forget your station, guardsman. As a royal, I don’t have to answer,” Talis said.
    “How do you fancy anaccident out hunting?” Pock-Face said. “People get trampled by horses all the time. It would be such a pity.”
    “You forget about me…the witness.” Mistress Cavares strode forward and raised a hand.
    “Stand down, you old hag.”
    “Have you truly no fear of those wearing the robes of the Order?” Her fingers formed a bubble of black mist. Talis winced at the display of dark magic. How did she know this power?
    “Sorcerer!” shouted a guardsman. “Traitor!” yelled another. The rest of the men, twenty or so, retreated at the display of magic.
    “Return to your gambling dens and whorehouses.” Mistress Cavares seemed to loom taller than her petite figure. “Or would you I rather turn you all into pigs and let you wallow in muck?”
    Taige brandished a finger at Talis. “You will be called to answer for this, mark my words. There will be blood on the streets over this, young master of House Storm.” He whistled and motioned the other men to help carry the broken body of Ralakh Lei. Talis felt a