The Grim Wanderer by James Wolf Read Free Book Online Page B

the night. They were evil people who worshipped the Dark One, making sacrifices to him, killing in his name.
    ‘Yes,’ Hirandar whispered. ‘They’re not just stories, they are real . During the Great War of the Dark, they burned the whole world.’
    Taem shuddered, when he wondered how anyone could ever be part of that. How could anyone turn to evil? How could anyone betray all that was good in the world?
    ‘That was long ago,’ the Wizard put some more wood onto the campfire. ‘So distant that people forget Malveous exists, or doubt he ever did. But he’s always been there, threatening the Light. His wicked hand responsible for more than most people would care to imagine. After a thousand years lying in wait, he’s again powerful enough to threaten our world. The Krun that obey him – for his rewards, and for their delight of cruelty and slaughter – become ever more bold, raiding more and more frontier settlements every year.’
    Rage swelled in Taem. Why him? Why his village? Taem felt hatred of the Krun burn through him.
    Hirandar noticed the dark look in Taem’s eyes, but she continued regardless, ‘The Nargs, the Beastmen of Malveous, multiply in Zezometh, preparing for invasion. All this whilst the free peoples have never been more distant. The Rhungars are in decline. Men have become so proud of their great cities and their achievements that they do not believe Malveous is strong enough to affect them. Most people believe the Dark One never even existed, and that Nargs and demons are tales invented to scare children. The Sodan are all but gone. Magic is now a shadow of its former force. Meanwhile, the Dark Servants continue to sow the seeds of dissent in the taverns, streets and courts of the major cities.’
    Taem glanced around the campsite, out into the looming shadows, and shivered. The fire no longer seemed so bright or warm, and the darkness seemed to encroach in. Taem found himself reaching for his hunting knife.
    ‘Relax,’ Hirandar held up a placating hand. ‘The Dark One hasn’t won yet. There are still people to fight the Dark. People like me, and Logan... and you.’
    Taem felt a sudden rush of terror turn his blood cold. But at the same time, he felt a strong desire to do what was right.
    ‘It’s late,’ Hirandar turned to spread out her blankets, ‘let’s get some rest. I want us to make an early start tomorrow.’ They both got into their blankets, lying on their backs, looking skyward.
    Taem thought there was something special about sleeping under a blanket of stars, as his mind drifted into the world of sleep and dreams.
     
    The sun began to set in the dark mid-winter sky. Taem shuddered as he huddled his arms around his brothers and sister. The light was failing. He felt his siblings trembling with the freezing wind, but he could not let them return to the village. Elena hugged his arm, and he could feel her shaking in the bitter cold. The shelter protected them from the heavy snow but not the seeping winter chill. As much as Macen had begged him, Taem would not let them light a fire. He knew whatever was out there would be drawn to fire. His younger siblings had been spared the sight of the Krun raiders, but Taem had spied on them from his hidey-hole. Taem had seen how they had tortured everyone. He knew he had to be strong if they were going to survive. Taem wrapped his jacket around Edar. The child was quaking with fear. His big, round eyes questioned why Taem made them stay out in the wintry woods. Taem could not tell him. All he could do was gather Edar up in his arms and hold him tight.
    Darkness surrounded them. Taem jumped as something rustled in the undergrowth. His brother and sister clutched his hands as they felt him tense up in terror. The touch of their shivering hands was so cold. Taem had made them stay all night in the freezing woods, huddled together, until they could endure no more. But he knew that was what they had to do, if they were to survive at all.