The Tomb of the Dark Paladin Read Online Free PDF

training with an involuntary wince, and his muscles recalled well the merciless strikes from wooden swords, spears and clubs. By the time winter's harsh grip had diminished, Carym found that his old skills had been refined by new tactics and forms he had not known; his reflexes were now razor sharp. The daily exercise routines strengthened him and helped him to work out the kinks and knots that formed in his muscles during the previous months of travel and combat. He was fit, his mind was sharp and he felt like he could take on the world.
    At first Carym had not been keen to take part in the rigorous training, having been an accomplished fighter in his own right, but Bishop Rohan convinced him otherwise. Soon Carym learned a very important and painful lesson, there was always more to learn. The bishop was a very wise man and Carym had tremendous respect for him. It was under Rohan's tutelage that Carym learned more of the conflict in the heavens, the conflict between Zuhr and his children, and of the faith of devotees to Zuhr. The conflict that would soon spill over onto Llars.
    Carym took another pull of the strong brew and looked at Genn as she looked back at him. Her beauty was dark and intoxicating, Carym was reminded of his brief meeting with Zerva in the woods beside the old druid's grove; the two were very different. Where Zerva was soft, gentle and nurturing, Genn was possessed of an inner fire of determination and drive. She seemed to harbor an inner anger, nurtured it, and railed against those whom she felt were working against her. At times she had the right of it, being Keneerie among humans was no easy thing, though her reaction was prideful all the same.
    Rohan had warned against the damage a person could do to themselves and to others by excessive pride and hubris. Carym grew worried for his own soul as well as for Genn's. He had done a great many dark deeds in the throes of pride. Just when Carym feared that he may have done irreparable damage to his own soul, he learned of there was much more to Zuhr. Zuhr was a kind and forgiving god, and among his many virtues were those of forgiveness and redemption, something that Carym took great consolation in. Knowing that he could be redeemed, that he could be forgiven, brought out an inner strength he never knew he had. And Gennevera, she just could not seem to grasp the significance.
    In all, Carym found very little time to spend with the woman who had become his lover. Gennevera had been involved in her own rigorous training and was now a full-fledged member in the revived and very ancient Order of the Divine Healer. This was an order of sisters devoted to Zuhr and skilled in the natural arts of healing. It was even said that the older and wiser sisters had been granted special gifts of power by Zuhr, but the truth was a secret the women guarded fiercely and would not speak of with men, not even the Knights of the Hand. The Sisters were a tough bunch, Carym noted, and even engaged in their own forms of marital training for they would be called upon to take part in dangerous missions to spread their faith. Those who undertook a mission were assigned a Hand Protector to guard over them on their journey. Bishop Rohan, mindful of the significance of their quest, saw to it that Carym would be assigned that duty for Gennevera.
    Still, there were precious few moments for the couple to spend time together. During those rare moments, Carym found that Gennevera's personality had taken on a much harder edge. She seemed distant, aloof, but Carym suspected that the training she was going through was much more rigorous than he could imagine and did not press her.
    "We can't stay here forever," she said suddenly, steel in her voice.
    "You're right, spring is coming and the way through to the Jaguar Lands will be easier to negotiate."
    Gennevera nodded and said nothing more. The silence was uncomfortable for Carym, he wanted her to keep talking. She looked out into the street,