Taylon Read Online Free PDF Page B

took them to the House of Ode,
the elfin law protectors. The chief scribe sought out the decrees
pertaining to this situation.
    “So in three days’ time?” Da’Lynn could feel
the blood pumping through her, excited that maybe her plan would
succeed.
    “Um…no.”
    “What?”
    “There is a note attached to the law saying
that if the next full moon is less than nine days away, the
ceremony cannot be performed,” Scribe said and looked up
innocently.
    Excitement turned to anger. Da’Lynn watched
Katrena approach and place her palm on Da’Lynn’s arm. The
councilwoman could have easily slaughtered everyone in the room,
but it would do her no good. She wanted the power in the palace and
needed these elves for it.
    “Oh,” was the only word Da’Lynn could say
without giving away her true feelings on the matter.
    “New council members will have to be chosen.
The choosing of these three should occupy your time, Madam Da’Lynn,
til the next moon.”
    “Three? Don’t you mean four?”
    “No, Councilman Gantha was seen fleeing the
city yesterday. We are trying to reach him with crow carrier.”
    Da’Lynn turned from the scribes as her
thoughts whirled with the new information. She wanted to hurt
something in private. Gantha knew the truth and she could not allow
him back before the ceremony. But how could….
    “Who saw the councilman fleeing? I would like
to talk to them.” If she could place a seed of doubt against
Gantha, make him seem responsible for the deaths and destruction,
she could easily make it to the next full moon for the rite.
    But before anyone could answer her, a scout
came stumbling in. “Madam Da’Lynn…to the north…the humans.”
    Da’Lynn let out an audible sigh. She was sick
of that good-for-nothing race. “Yes? What is it?”
    “They have destroyed the wall and looks like
they are planning war.” There was a gasp through the gathered
elves. Da’Lynn’s eyes sparkled.
    War meant a distraction, but better yet, it
meant more power. There would be no new members picked for the
council until the situation was resolved. So, she would reign for
the time being.
    “Get me the Generals.”
     
    ***
     
    It had been a peaceful night for Sank. The
previous day it sounded as if there might be thunderclouds coming,
but none arrived. He rose from his cot and stretched, his hands
almost touching the ceiling. Sank’s house was more of a one-room
log shed. It was comfortable enough; a little small for a gnoll,
but it was what he had.
    Slowly he prepared for market. The gnoll
helped at a blacksmith’s forge in Aladedas, usually hammering away
at various weapons. He felt like today would be a good day as he
grabbed his axe for the journey.
    But when he opened the door, before him was a
small battalion of humans, who all had their weapons pointed at
him.
    “Ahh!” Sank yelled in shock, raising his
hands in the air, one still holding the ax.
    “Kill the talking wolf creature!” yelled
someone from the group. A second later, an arrow pierced the gnoll.
Sank did not even get in one hit. A sword sliced his abdomen and
one severed his foot. His last thought was mundane. I am not a
wolf. I am a gnoll.
     
    ***
     
    Taylon hung back as Euphoria sent seven
battalions of men into the Territories.
    “Burn them out! Leave nothing alive! One
moment of hesitation can cost you your life!” Her rallying speech
invigorated the men into a frenzy. Taylon didn’t know if he would
ever see those men again.
    After blowing up the wall, the army made camp
and fortifications to protect their land. Nothing came out of the
Territories until nightfall. A couple of jet-black wolves ventured
forward. Arrows irritated them. One soldier got the idea to try out
the ballista against them. It took four men to crank, load, and aim
the heavy arrow.
    Fwung!
    The bolt caught the wolf through the skull
and pinned it to a nearby tree.
    Thunk!
    This caused several wolves to charge from the
forest. The animals slaughtered twelve men