Curse of the Shadowmage - Mark Anthony [52]
Melhuar Thantarth looked up as K'shar approached. The Master Harper was holding council-hence the presence of so many Harpers in the hall-but when he spotted
K'shar. he quickly dismissed the others with a wave of his hand. In moments, Thantarth and K'shar were alone in the stone forest.
"K'shar, I am glad you could come." Thantarth's deep voice echoed in the now-empty hall.
K'shar inclined his head slightly. "It is my duty to serve the Harpers," he said formally, even as a part of him wondered if this was truly so. Was his duty to the Harpers, or simply to the chase?
"It is with a heavy heart that I set this task before you, K'shar," Thantarth said somberly. "For both of those whom we ask you to seek are-or at least were, until recently-among the most exalted of Harpers."
While K'shar listened with growing interest, Thantarth explained what had transpired. There wasn't a Harper alive who had not heard the tale of the Shadowking in Iriaebor. The deeds of Caledan Caldorien and Mari Al'maren were heroic folklore passed down to all Harper apprentices. Thus it was all the more shocking-and intriguing-that Kshar's new prey were none other than these two legendary figures, now turned renegade.
"Caledan's transformation must be stopped at any cost," Thantarth finished firmly. "Whatever his deeds of the past, the Harpers cannot allow a shadowking to walk the Heartlands once more. Mari Al'maren has forsworn her vow as a Harper, and we can assume she will attempt to protect Caledan. While your mission is to find and destroy Caldorien, you are also authorized to… dispose of Al'maren should she block your way." Thantarth appeared troubled, but his expression was resolute. "Do you accept this mission, Kshar?"
"I accept it, Master Thantarth." K'shar spoke the words without emotion, but inwardly his heart soared. He could not believe his luck! He had longed for a mission that would test his skills, and now Thantarth had ordered him to hunt down two of the greatest heroes the Harpers had ever known. While it was regrettable that two such extraordinary individuals must die, K'shar felt no personal sorrow. Such decisions were beyond him. He was simply a Hunter.
Thantarth handed K'shar a scroll containing details of the mission. The half-elf scanned it quickly with his sharp golden eyes. Rumors placed Caldorien in Corm Or five days ago, and a Harper agent dispatched to Iriaebor reported that Al'maren had vanished. No doubt she hadd already gone to pursue Caldorien. Last on the parchment was a warning of the perils of Caldorien's mysterious shadow magic. This part K'shar read hastily. What did he, a creature so at home in the night, have to fear from shadows? He handed the parchment back to Thantarth.
When will you leave?" the Master Harper asked. "With the dawn?"
"No." K'shar said softly. "Now."
"Very well. I'll see to a horse and provisions for-" But K'shar had already turned, moving swiftly from the Great Hall. He needed no mount, no food, no weapons. There was no horse that could run faster or farther than K'shar, no sustenance he needed that the land would not provide, and no weapon deadlier than his own two hands. He headed outside, quickly leaving behind Twilight Hall and the city of Berdusk. Soon the dark wall of the Reaching
Woods loomed before him in the gloom. He stood on the edge of a vast, ancient forest that stretched all the way from Berdusk to the village of Corm Orp, sixty leagues to the northeast. He would be in Corm Orp by sunrise two days hence.
K'shar glanced once at the stars to fix his bearings. Then, like a stag taking flight, he plunged into the trees, running swiftly, tirelessly, and without sound. Something told him that this was going