Warriors of the Black Shroud Read Online Free PDF Page A

have been alive. You are right when you say that I am the only one of the Lightkeepers who lived through those days of fear and sorrow, and the terror that almost came to the walls of our homes. I have seen death and mourning, and I do not want to visit those places again. But I have also seen the casualties we inflicted upon our enemies. You remember the Black Count vowing revenge; I remember him fleeing in humiliation. I do not believe that after all these years he will attack us again. If we leave him alone he will remain in the deep wastes of Diabolonia, but if we provoke him he will defend himself and then the beasts that surround him will be enraged and the nightmares of the past will return. I most strongly advise you, sire, not to let that happen. Let our sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters enjoy the fruits of the peace that you and your comrades fought so hard for.”
    There was a murmur of approval among the crowd at the end of Lumina’s speech, and from the expression on his face the king was not happy.
    â€œI could do as you say and ignore the threat beyond the Kingdom’s walls,” he said, “but what about those within our boundaries? What about the Nightangels?”
    â€œNightangels, sire?” The king’s remark caught Lumina by surprise. “It never occurred to me that Nightangels might actually exist. I always looked upon them as make-believe creatures used to scare disobedient children.”
    â€œNo, Lumina,” said the king. “They exist.”
    â€œWhat evidence is there of their presence then, sire?” Lumina asked. “I see none. Most of our people are happy and content, but they will not remain so for long if they sense that their leaders live in fear.”
    The king looked around at the assembly and then turned his attention to Walker.
    â€œWell, Chosen One,” he said, “what do you think?”
    Walker said nothing for a few moments, and then he blurted out something he had been determined not to say.
    â€œPlease—I want to go home!”

Chapter 5
    I f Walker had been able to catch the words and stuff them back into his mouth he would have. But it was too late. Everyone had heard them. He looked around, frightened, but even the fearsome-looking Lumina softened her expression a little, and the king seemed almost as if he was in pain.
    â€œMy dear boy,” he said, “we have treated you so badly; you must forgive us. We have looked for so long for a Chosen One, and have had so many disappointments, that we forgot, in our joy and relief at finding you, that you are a person and have a life, and what we want may not be what you want.”
    Lumina looked at him and smiled a sympathetic smile.
    â€œThe mark,” she said, “grants you the ability to rule, but unless you have the will to rule it is as if you were a commoner.”
    â€œLumina is right,” the king agreed. “And I have faith that you shall have the will when you understand more of this realm. Come with me and I will explain many things to you. Lightkeepers, we must continue our discussion at a later date, but not too much later.”
    He took Walker by the hand and walked behind the throne. Eddie made as if to accompany them, and the king turned toward him.
    â€œNo, young prince,” he said gently. “This is only for Chosen Ones. I will reunite you with him when we are finished.”
    â€œVery well, sire,” said Eddie.
    It was at this moment that Walker looked up into the king’s face. There, in the same place as on Walker’s cheekbone, was an identical star-shaped birthmark. The king pulled open the drape that concealed his bedchamber. The room was very simple and mostly bare of furniture, but there was an enormous bed on a raised platform. The only decoration was a carving of an ancient heraldic shield on the wall opposite the entrance. The king took Walker over to the bed and sat down on it, indicating that the boy