The Veredor Chronicles: Book 03 - The Gate and Beyond Read Online Free PDF

and only had a single sword at his belt.
    ‘It’s him!’ cried Chief Parco in joy. ‘It truly is him! The Emperor has returned!’ The army of Jeanian tribesmen watched on in astonishment as the rider entered their camp. The unicorn glowed brightly. They could hardly believe their eyes. A complete silence fell over the entire multitude of tribesmen.
    ‘It’s Eben,’ said Quade, shaking his head and smiling.
    Eben rode toward them slowly as all the Jeanians watched on in awe. He halted his unicorn about twenty feet from where Quade was standing with the Desert Knights and the chiefs.
    ‘We have waited so long for your return,’ said Chief Parco. ‘Are you the Ecorian?’
    ‘My name is Eben Ecorian,’ said Eben as he dismounted. ‘I have come to ask for the help of the Jeanians. The Irvarians need your help. Will you help me save them?’
    Chief Parco bowed down. ‘We will prepare at once.’
    **
    King Edric had called a council in the Ecorian Hall. Already most of the seats of the table were taken by the commanders and knights of the city guard. Red, Cassiel, and Stella entered the hall. Baftel, Mostyn, Meara, Arlen, Princess Apherah, and Acartor were also seated at the table. They joined the company.
    ‘The muckron army is leaving,’ said King Edric. ‘King Ignis has moved his army across the Sunset Hills and has entered the east of Irvaria. Clearly the Astarian does not want to wait for King Ignis and his army to arrive at Faircastle. He is moving his army to intercept the Ortarians. I want to lead what remains of my army into the battle. My commanders have assessed our resources. We have two thousand cavalry and ten thousand soldiers. We also have another ten thousand men who are willing to fight.’
    ‘You mean the elderly men of the city?’ asked Acartor, shaking his head at the idea.
    ‘Yes, many of the older men of our city are willing to take up arms, and many brave women have already been assisting in the defence of Faircastle. They will also march with us.’
    ‘With such an army we will be completely destroyed,’ said Acartor. ‘We must face the reality that defeat is imminent.’
    King Edric stared sternly at Acartor for a few seconds and then looked around at the others seated at the table.
    ‘I believe this course of action is our best and only chance. King Ignis will not be able to overcome the enemy army alone, but with our help we may stand a chance.’
    ‘What chance!’ scoffed Acartor. ‘There simply is no chance. Even with King Ignis and his army there is still no hope. The muckrons, Skatheans, and wyverns will completely destroy us.’
    ‘I’m ready to die fighting,’ said Red with deep conviction. ‘Eben died fighting for freedom. We will fight as Eben fought.’
    ‘Do you think you are being brave, Sir Red?’ asked Acartor. ‘We will all be fools if we take this path. Men can survive and continue to live in Veredor, but if we choose to fight we will surely die. We should negotiate with the Prince of Shadows.’
    The mention of the Prince of Shadows silenced the company. King Edric stared across at Acartor for some time before speaking. ‘Acartor, I have already made the decision to march. We will fight with all our remaining courage. I sent a messenger falcon to King Ignis and received one back just before I called this council. He is waiting with his army at Jeriel’s Field. If we march on the north bank of the Adira River we will avoid the muckron army. We can then cross the river at the Morris Bridge. Jeriel’s Field is only a three day march. We must move quickly to outpace the enemy army. This will be our last stand.’
    **
    Eben looked across the table at Prince Armida of Ateria. The Aterian Prince had not moved his eyes from Eben since he had entered the command tent of the Aterian army. Chief Parco, Quade, Arthur, Dillon, and several other commanders and chiefs of the Jeanians and Aterians were seated at the table. Three wizards entered the tent and bowed to