Kingdoms in Chaos by Michael James Ploof Read Free Book Online Page A

something bothering you?” Nah’Zed asked.
    Roakore realized that he had been staring off into space. “O’ course not,” he said, waving her off. “I’ll be out in a moment.”
    He watched her leave, and pondered whether or not he should bring her in on his dilemma. Nah’Zed was a smart one, to be sure, and the most read dwarf he had ever met. But he finally decided it was best to keep quiet about it. She would likely be unable to deal with the implications of the book’s teachings.

Chapter 10
Crossing the Line
     
     
    Dirk walked through the dark streets of Brinn. With a thought, he turned to mist and flew through an alley. He solidified in front of a tower built into the battlements on the southern wall. The building at the base of the tower had many windows aglow. Voices—those of soldiers—spilled out into the summer night. Dirk floated along the barrack’s windows, listening. He was looking for hushed conversations, those with fear in their voice. Two guards turned the far corner and Dirk turned to mist once more. He flew past the oblivious guards and soon found what he sought. Three men sitting at a small table in the center of their sleeping quarters were hunched toward each other as if imparting secrets. Dirk flew into the room and listened.
    “…or I’m a liar,” a bearded man was saying.
    The youngest of the three looked petrified. “Dragonshyte,” he said with a nervous laugh, and then sat back on his stool with a dismissive wave.
    The bearded guard leaned in closer, his animated expressions urgent. “Peterson seen it with his own damn eyes!” He kept his voice to a whisper, though a harsh one.
    The oldest of the three gave a chuckle, drank from his mug and wiped his wide mustache. “A lot of strange things happened afore the winter, but the dark elf is dead. Don’t be helping spread these fables.”
    “I tell you, there be undead been seen in the woods, and Peterson ain’t the only one who saw them,” said the bearded guard insistently.
    Dirk withdrew. He had already heard as much from another pair of guards. He needed to get to the commanders. He made his way to the southern keep and wisped his way up the stairs to the chambers of the residing general of Brinn, under the new ruler, King McKinnon, one of three now controlling northern Uthen-Arden.
    The general sat at a thick desk reading over scrolls by candlelight. Dirk moved to the window behind him and watched over his shoulder as the man settled his business for the day. The first few scrolls were inconsequential: refugee numbers, reports on grain and corn reserves, promotion recommendations, enlistee information, and finally, troop movements.
    Dirk gathered what information he needed and flew back through the city to the hillside that Raene waited upon. Krentz was already back, and Chief wagged a translucent tail upon his arrival.
    “What you got?” Raene asked between chews. The pheasant drumstick in her hand reminded him how much he missed having to eat.
    “They’re fortifying northern positions around Lake Eardon rather than concentrating their efforts on the southern front. Soon they will attempt to take Belldon Island and the seat of Shierdon’s power.”
    Krentz nodded. “I’ve learned as much, but they are also fortifying borders running east and west. They fear attack from the north. There is word of armies of roaming undead.
    “Armies?” said Dirk. “I only heard rumors of isolated sightings.
    “Undead Armies marching across the north…” said Raene. “Which direction they be headin’?”
    “West,” said Krentz.
    Raene tore off another greasy bite, dribbling the juice down her chin. “Zander be convertin’ the entire countryside to join his undead legions.”
    “He has grown considerably more powerful since the fall of Eadon,” said Dirk. “And without the magic of the elves, he may prove to be a grave threat to all of Agora.”
    “Bah!” Raene spat. “Ain’t no elf magic needed. We four are