Paladins of Shannara: The Black Irix (Short Story) Read Free Page B

shouting at each other, while inside
     the patrons of the inn drank and laughed and talked loud enough that they could not
     hear a word of the argument taking place out back.
    “I know where we’re going. Panamon told me. It’s in the lower Northland, not far from
     the ruins of the Skull Kingdom. I know a little about the country. It’s wild, but
     not so dangerous anymore. We’ll be close to Paranor and the Westland. Flick, listen
     to me. I have to do this. But I promise to be careful, and if I get sick or it becomes
     too dangerous, I will come home at once. I won’t take chances.”
    “How can you say that?” Flick exclaimed in disbelief. “What makes you think you will
     be allowed to come back? He needs the Elfstones! In fact, what if it’s the Elfstones
     he’s really after? Have you thought of that?”
    Shea had thought of everything. Some of it made him ashamed of himself, but Flick
     was right about one thing. This was Panamon Creel, and Panamon was capable of anything.
     So he wasn’t going into this blindfolded.
    When it was all said and done, Flick stood firm on his insistence that Shea not go,
     but Shea persisted and went anyway. He advised his father he would be traveling with
     Panamon for as long as two weeks and rode out the next day on a horse he had rented
     from the local stable master, his gear and clothing stowed in a bedroll tied to the
     back of the saddle, the Elfstones tucked down inside his tunic. Flick, to his surprise
     and disappointment, remained behind. He had almost believed that his brother would
     come with him, just as he had on the quest for the Sword of Shannara. But the times
     and the circumstances were different, and apparently Flick had done enough questing
     in his life. He loved Shea and feared for him, but he simply refused to support a
     cause in which he did not believe.
    “Turns out Audrana Coos was right,” he said in parting. “Try not to make me regret
     it. Come home safe.”
    So Shea and Panamon Creel rode north out of Shady Vale into the Duln Forests until
     they reached the banks of the Rainbow Lake. There they turned west to follow the lakeshore
     around to where they could begin their journey toward the Streleheim and into the
     Northland.
    Shea spent his time on horseback thinking of how long ago the last quest now seemed.
     It was almost as if it had happened in another lifetime—one he had lived as a different
     person entirely. He had grown up on that quest, seasoned and matured under the pressure
     of constantly being hunted and placed at risk, of facing death almost every day, of
     watching friends and strangers die all around him, and of knowing how much depended
     on the success of his efforts.
    This time the feelings were altogether different. He was not being chased, and the
     threat of death seemed remote. He was placing himself in some danger, but what was
     at stake was much smaller and less world-changing.
    What troubled him most was the absence of Flick, who had stuck with him before for
     as long as he was physically able, and had been there to reassure him when his doubts
     and fears threatened to undo him. He missed his brother and wished mightily he were
     there again.
    So when, on the third day out, Flick appeared, it was almost like a miracle. He had
     left the same afternoon, after telling their father what he was doing, unable to stand
     the idea of Shea going without him, surprising himself with the intensity of his feelings.
     Taking the trail he knew they would follow to go north, he had tracked them until
     he caught up.
    “Changed my mind,” he announced as he rode up. Noting the look of dismay on Panamon’s
     face, he added, “I can’t have my brother going off like this without someone reliable
     watching out for his best interests.”
    Shea laughed and clapped Flick on the back affectionately. Panamon Creel said nothing.
    * * *
    They were three now as the journey continued. Panamon regaled the other two with tales