Shadowlight MIKE JEF'F'ERIES was born in Kent but spent his early years in Australia. He attended the Goldsmiths School of Arts and then taught art in schools and in prisons. A keen rider, he was selected in 1980 to ride for Britain in the Belgian Three Day Event. He now lives in Norfolk with his wife and three stepchildren, working full time as an author and illustrator. Shadowlight is the sequel to The Road to Underfall and Palace of Kings in Mike Jefferies' trilogy Loremasters of Elundium. Gliaerspike Hall, the first volume of a new series, The Heirs to Gnarlsmyre, is also available in Fontana Paperbacks. Its sequel will be Hall of Whispers. by Mike Jefferies Loremasters of Elundium 1. The Road to Underfall 2. Palace of Kings 3. Shadowlight The Heirs to Gnarlsmyre 1. Glitterspike Hall 2. Hall of Whispers (autumn 1990) ,, !1 . MIKE JEFFERIES Sh ado relight .~ F O NTA N A/ Collins To Paul - who first gave me the reins and set my foot in the stirrup. Would that you were with me now to hear the Warhorses shout against the shadowlight, for you were brave and feared nothing in the dark. First published in Great Britain by FontanaPaperbacks 1988 Second impression January 1990 Copyright (I) 1988 Mike Jefferies Printed and bound in Great Britain by William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. Glasgow CONDITIONS OF SALE This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser Shadowlight Doubts crowded in the darkness, whispered fears spread through the warriors in the battle crescent as all eyes waited on King Holbian. 'What if Thanehand fails to destroy the Nightmare, Krulshards? What then will become of the sunlight of Elundium?' The battle crescent trembled and swayed, stirred by each man's fears of what the new daylight would bring. A hand gently touched the King's elbow, making him start in the darkness, setting the steelsilver battlecoat he wore jingling with sweet musical whispers of the daylight yet to dawn. 'It is time, my Lord,' Breakmaster called quietly, lifting his hand and pointing out beyond the darkened Causeway Field to where a streak of cold grey light edged the dark bulk of Mantern's Mountain. 'The grey hours are upon us, Lord, and the battle crescent stands as you commanded; every warrior is in his place.' Slowly King Holbian turned towards the horseman. 'The city folk?' he asked, gripping Breakmaster's arm in his brittle fingers. 'Will they be safe if the Nightbeasts come?' Breakmaster nodded, sweeping his rein-hand out towards dark shapes huddling behind the battle crescent. 'I have placed the Nighthorses before them, my Lord, they will protect the city folk whatever the new daylight brings.' King Holbian laughed, releasing Breakmaster's arm. 'They are the new Elundium, Breakmaster, they are here to witness s our last great moments and welcome a new king to rule in my place!' 'But, Lord,' cried the horseman, 'you have an age of daylights yet.' King Holbian sighed, putting his finger on Breakmaster's lips. 'I am old beyond counting, frail and bristled with age; help me now to see out my last daylight for we stand in the shadow of the Palace of Kings.' 6 _ _ Waiting for Old Legends As the King spoke he unbuckled a small silver buckler at his throat and removed the steelsilver battlecoat from his shoulders. Carefully he placed it in the horseman's arms. 'When this daylight is at an end and I am laid to rest in my father's house, then this precious battlecoat shall be yours.' For a moment the King paused, looking out beyond the towering walls of Underfall across the darkened Causeway Field. Smiling he turned back to Breakmaster. 'With it I give you Beacon Light, the Queen of Horses, for you were there at her breaking and made her proud and brave to serve me during these last desperate daylights. Go! Go now and spread the battlecoat across her back.' Breakmaster fell to his knees, the battlecoat clutched in his utstretched hands. 'Lord,' he cried, tears coursing down his cheeks, 'I asked for nothing but to love you, and to serve you all my days against the Nightbeasts. There was no ambition for such a treasure, such a beautiful gift.' King Holbian smiled, putting his ancient hand on the horseman's shoulder. 'I know it,' he whispered, 'and without your love and loyalty I would have perished long ago in the ruins of the Granite City beneath the Nightbeasts' shadows. The gift is given and cannot be taken back. Go now and prepare Beacon Light for me. Let me come to her this last time proud, and sure of my purpose. Go, true friend, go.' Breakmaster rose, blinking away his tears, and stepped backwards into the shadows. 7 'Use it well,' called out the King. 'When Elundium is safe once more, ride out into the morning sunlight and listen to the sweet music in the battlecoat's weave and remember how we stood side by side and laughed at the Nightbeasts' shadows. Remember then our greatest moments.' 'But, Lord,' ventured the horseman, gathering his courage and stepping back to the King, 'Nevian, the Master of Magic, counselled me to put the coat about your shoulders to keep you warm and safe on our dark flight from the ruins of the Granite City. Surely you should keep it close about your shoulders?' King Holbian laughed, a soft light glowing in his eyes. 'Our flight from the Nightbeasts is over, Breakmaster. If Thanehand fails against the Nightmare, Krulshards, it will be here upon the Causeway Field that the last moments of sunlight will shine in all Elundium - here beneath the walls of Underfall. For this was foretold long ago in my youth and not even the power of magic or music in the steelsilver can stop what must unfold.' Breakmaster nodded dumbly and retreated into the shadows to prepare Beacon Light for the daylight yet to dawn. 'Be proud,' shouted the King as Breakmaster hurried away, 'for we kept the light and the people of Elundium safe through the darkest hours.' Angishand, Thane's mother, moved quickly through the dense huddle of city folk, urging them to keep close to the battle crescent, yet all the while her eyes were drawn towards the dark bulk of Mantern's Mountain looming against the starry skies. 'Keep safe, my child,' she whispered over and over again, shivering and twisting the hem of her shawl tightly between her fingers as she remembered Thane's last night in the Granite City. They had wanted his death then and had shouted for it through all the levels of the city but now . . . She laughed nervously, catching the noise in her throat stifling it back into silence. Nobody had realized then that the 8 fate of Elundium would rest so heavily on his shoulders, even the King had sent him beneath a blanket of darkness to perish at World's End. Angis sighed and turned her head, listening to the dark whispers rising from the assembled warriors, and heard Thane's name as the chill dawn breezes strengthened. Angis shivered ag un, pulling her shawl tight and heard far away the first blackbird herald the new morning, and saw the feathered edge of the blood-red sun breasting World's End. Beacon Light stood waiting in the centre of the battle crescent, her neck arched beneath the steelsilver coat. It rippled in the grey dawn breezes, shimmering with the colours of watered silk. King Holbian smiled to see her so proud, battle dresssed as the great Warhorses of yesterlight. 'It will be us the Nightmare strikes at first,' he whispered, moving to her side and gently stroking her velvet-soft muzzle. 'Silver against black we will fight for the sunlight! Good against evil we will fight to save Elundium!' Beacon Light neighed and struck at the dew-wet grass with her hoof, tossing her head in the half light. King Holbian laughed, setting his foot in the stirrups, and with Breakmaster' s help he climbed stiffly up into the saddle. Turning, he looked at the sheer walls of Underfall, casting his gaze across the rows of galleries that seemed to stare back at him, black empty eyes edged with twisted metal spokes climbing up into the morning light. On the highest gallery the great Lamp of World's End paled against the growing strength of the new day. 'I will come to you, Palace of Kings, when the Nightmare is dead!' he shouted before turning to the assembled battle crescent. For long moments he sat watching his warriors. Then slowly he stood up in the stirrups, his hand on the hilt of his sword. 'Warriors!' he cried, sweeping the sword aloft. 'Who will stand with me against the Nightmare, Krulshards? Who will stand with me if Thanehand fails?' 9 aThe battle crescent shifted as corn touched by a summer wind as each warrior took a step forward. 'Lead us to the Gates of Night!' shouted Errant, spurring Dawnlight, first stallion of the Nighthorses, out of the crescent and galloping to the King's side. 'Lead us! Lead us!' chanted Grey Goose, Captain Archer at the far end of the crescent, rattling his quiver of newforged arrows as he urged the Archers to step forward. King Holbian hesitated, drawing Beacon Light's reins tight in his hand. 'Our place is here as the legends foretold, upon the Causeway Field. We dare not climb towards the Gates of night.' Errant shaded his eyes against the new morning's light and looked up at the heather meadows where the sunlight reflected from a forest of fast-moving spear blades and broad Marching swords. 'Others have gone before us, my Lord. Look! They are spread out acro...
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