The Catastrophe of the Emerald Queen by LR Manley Read Free Book Online Page A

mud but Mordalayn caught
his arm. "Careful lad, this ground is treacherous" he said
sternly.
      Near
them was the same orange ooze that he’d seen at the farm. Steam
twisted from it. “What is that stuff?” he asked.
     “ Old magic .” Mordalayn said and then added “since Our Lady
is hurt it is building like sewage. Don’t step in
it.”
      Jared
nodded, fearfully.
      They moved towards the lake
on a path cutting from the
field down to an area with an enclosed paved section with a large
wooden table and seats. The path veered right to a fence that
appeared to be made of some sort of livid, wet looking brown
plant.
      They
walked down further and before them was a large lake and a bridge
of maybe fifty metres in length extended out to a square dock port.
Moored there was a small yet elegantly carved boat with oars lashed
to it. The bridge was rickety and old looking with nothing to keep
someone from falling in, although wide enough for two people to
walk comfortably side by side. The water was a vivid, rich blue and
impossible to tell how deep.
      "Lo ok, I know you did something weird back there but this
is crazy" Jared said, stopping and turning round to face his
escort. Mordalayn stared at him impassively, towering over Jared.
He remained silent for a moment then said:
      "There
are many things I need to tell you but we're not safe here. Unless
we keep moving we can be found. I promise you I'll tell you
everything you need to know once we are somewhere beyond
danger."
      Just then heard there was the sound of hooves in the
distance. Mordalayn whirled, pulling Jared behind him. From behind
the large copse of trees there appeared five riders on large
horses. They were all hugely powerful beasts. The riders were all
men, all dressed in long, red cloaks and carrying sheathed swords
at their sides with what appeared to be a bundle of short spears
behind the saddles of their mounts. The horses were shining with
the exertion of the gallop.
      Mordalayn
whispered . "Don't move and
don't say anything.”
      The
horses slowed at a signal from the foremost rider and stopped a
short distance away forming a line. Then the riders dismounted and
stood looking towards them, hands on their swords.
      The
leader strode toward Mordalayn, smiling broadly, one of his front
teeth glinting. He was white haired and clean shaven with broad
shoulders and reminded Jared of a rugby player his dad knew. The
mud on the shore caked his dark leather boots. Flipping his cloak
over his shoulder he bowed theatrically, making a flourishing
gesture with his gloved right hand as he dipped low.
      "Well, well, my friend. Seems
you have collected a stray .”
      Mordalayn said nothing. Jared peered out anxiously from
behind him.
      "Come come Takoba, this is no
time to be belligerent or unfriendly .” He gestured behind him to his men who glanced quickly at
one another and their grips tightened on their sword
hilts.
      The man moved forward
slightly, his smile broad. "My thanks, it is indeed an
honour .”
      Mordalayn’s icy stare never
changed. “You have no honour Siavy” he hissed
angrily . “You are a mercenary
and a thief.”
      The man's smile never faded
but he took one step closer. "Mordalayn you are a loyal servant to
Alegria, however the boy comes with us .” He signalled to two of his men to move forward and
they did so, striding forward purposefully.
      Mordalayn snarled and stepped clear of Jared, unsheathing the
huge sword. The metal hissed free of the scabbard and two men
stuttered to a halt on the muddy shore.
      Siavy shook his head slowly.
"I will offer you one final chance. Give us the boy and you can go.
The alternative is that we kill you and take the boy
anyway .”
      Mordalayn said nothing.
      Siavy
sighed. "Very well" he said with a resigned air. His smile faded
and he turned to his men. "Take him" he said curtly.
      Mordalayn whirled, turning quickly to Jared and shoving him
hard. "Run to the boat" he