The Tomb of the Dark Paladin Read Free Page A

Yerkses is drunk with power and in possession of a formidable army and navy. The earls have all sworn allegiance to him as their emperor and thirst to take over the lands of the Cklath.
    "But the worst is yet to come." Llew paused and looked each of the gathered princes in the eye. "The Shadow Sigil has returned and it is spreading like a disease across the world."
    "This cannot be!" barked Prince Belmar of the Black Serpent Tribe. "Zuhr took the Tides away from them, all of them!"
    "Umber is a crafty and wicked child, Prince Belmar. He imbued a dark and terrible power upon each of his Dark Disciples in the days before the Dark Paladin found salvation and turned on Umber. Each of them is connected to the dark power of the Shadowrealm, the place where the powers of the Shadow originate and spreads its wickedness throughout the universe. Through them, the Shadowtide has returned to the world.
    "But there is more. The Dark Disciples have not been idle. They have been consorting with Umber's Cjii and are at work creating an army of Shadow-beings. Shalthazar, the leader of the great army of Ilian Nah, has created a cadre of truly heinous monsters to fight for him. And the Hurkin Horde has come across the Rift, they are headed for Hybrand."
    "Umber and Q'raz," said Belmar, "in league against their father?"
    "So it would seem," agreed Llew.
    "There is no choice, then, but to call upon our ancient allies," said Dalfrija softly, the fire-jewels in her ears glimmering between strands of raven colored hair. "We cannot stand against their armies alone, and it seems none are left among the humans to stand with us."
    "Leave the humans to their own devices, they are the reason the Tides were taken from the world in the first place," grumbled Owyn.
    "How long, Prince Owyn, would it take before the combined might of Arnathia, Ilian Nah, the Hurkin Horde, and the Steel Empire bear down upon Alfheym? And if that were not enough, the Frost Elves have left the icy reaches of Erestonin. What will we do when they come to Alfheym?"
    "We flee!" said Lohik. "The High Elves of old fled Llars for the forests of Hastor ages ago, so should we."
    "Prince Lohik, Prince Owyn. If my husband were here, he would remind you of the ancient days when we Crimson Elves stood fast with our human and Dwarvish friends. We called upon our ancient allies once before. We must do so again!"
    As the words left Dalfrija's mouth, the air near the doorway to the balcony began to shimmer and glow. In minutes the shimmer became a light so bright that all eyes had to turn away. Then the light was gone and in its place stood the figure of a man.
    "Dear Lord!" gasped Owyn. The others were speechless at the sight of the figure that stood before them, shining and beautiful and deadly all at once. He wore armor of fireore and a sword with a gleaming red blade. He was tall as any Crimson Elf, and his skin was a deep crimson color; but this was no elf.
     

     
    "Noble lady and lords," said the newcomer striding noiselessly into the room. His voice was deep, melodious and commanding. He radiated a sense of peace and righteousness throughout the room. "I know that this visit is quite unexpected and I hope you can forgive me," he began, looking at each of the stunned elves. "But the danger to your realm, and to all of Llars, is as dire as you have learned and I can waste no time on formalities."
    "Prince Crystoph!" sputtered Belmar. "We are not--"
    "Silence, good Belmar," interrupted the Cjii. "We have no time. I am here with a warning: call upon your ancient allies and do it now!"
    The assembled rulers of the elves were stunned into silence, both by the appearance of this great Cjii and by the dire warning. Crystoph, warrior-prince of Zuhr's host, was well known in the lore of the Crimson Elves, and was highly revered. Throughout the storied history of the great nation of Alfheym, Crystoph occasionally appeared before its rulers with advice or warning. That significance was not lost upon