Palace of Kings.

Loremasters of Elundium.

MIKE JEFFERIES.

King Holbian, the last Granite King of Elundium, is trapped, siege-locked within the Granite City. He waits in terror, bravely trying to master his fear of the dark as the black shadowy Nightbeast army swarms against the walls of his once beautiful city. Unknown to the King during these desperate daylights as the great wall crumbles, Thanehand, the candleman'

s son he despatched with a last message to the fortress of Underfall, has survived his dangerous journey and risen from humble messenger in the shadows of World's End to lead the warriors of Underfall to victory on the high plateau of Mantern's Mountain before the Gates of Night.

Krulshards, the Master of Nightbeasts, has fled from defeat back into the darkness and Thane waits with bated breath between the black gates, stretching his hand up towards the owl that hovers with his grandfather's sword held in its talons. He knows that with that sword in his hand he can enter the darkness and destroy Krulshards.

Into the City of Night

Thanehand balanced lightly on the b.a.l.l.s of his feet, stretching his hand towards the hovering owl. Laughing, he closed his fingers around the hilt of his grandfather's sword and took it easily from Eagle Owl's talons.

'Thoron is somewhere beyond the black gates,' he whispered to the owl. 'But I will find him no matter how thick the darkness becomes.'

Thane turned towards the plateau and lifted his sword to catch all the evening light, sweeping it in a glittering arc above his head. The warriors surged forward, a shout of victory on their lips.

'Who will follow me into the darkness?' he cried, taking a step towards the black marble gates that led into the City of Night. Behind him an eerie battle silence spread across the plateau. Thane hesitated and looked back towards the warriors beneath the standard of the owl in blue and gold and saw their fear of the dark pa.s.s like a shadow across their faces.

'Is there none brave enough to hold my spark while I fight with the Master of Night to free Thoron?' he shouted.

All the Marchers, Gallopers and Archers had shuffled to a halt, unable to face their fears and look Thanehand in the eye.

Tombel, the greatest Marcher Captain in all Elundium, shouldered his way through the press of warriors until he stood before Thane. Lifting his broad Marching sword he pointed at the body of Amarch, Thoron's warhorse, where

I will lead you, Thane,' rang a clear voice near the black gates.

Tombel spun round and stared in bewilderment at Willow Leaf, the tunnel slave who had helped to defeat the Nightbeast army at Battle's End from within the City of Night.

'Who in all Elundium ...?' gasped Tombel, his look pa.s.sing from Willow's sh.e.l.l-like ears and huge round eyes to his white, almost transparent, skin.

Thane laughed, for a moment forgetting his haste. 'Willow, come and meet the greatest Lord of the Marchers ever to cross Elundium.'

'The horse at Willow's side is a greater lord than I could ever be!' said Tombel, admiringly.

'He is the Lord of Horses, Equestrius,' Willow replied, proudly, moving forward to stand before Tombel. 'He is the greatest warhorse ever to live. He took me back into the City of Night and helped me to rally my people into a great army. Together we won the black gates and the beautiful sunlight.'

Then he remembered the old mare, Evening Star, who had started it all an age ago when the Lord of Horses had served her while the Nightbeasts slept; and his large eyes grew soft, filling with a far away look. 'Well, almost the greatest horse ever to live.'

Equestrius snorted, nudging Willow with his head. Tombel laughed, saying, 'You go too fast for an old Marcher, child.

Start at the beginning, tell me who you are.

Thane turned impatiently towards the setting sun. 'Thoron's life may hang on each word we waste. Let it be enough for now to know that without Willow and the black warhorse

she lay, stabbed to death, before the black gates. He lowered his eyes and wept.

'Dearly would I love to avenge her death and help you to free your grandfather but without a glimmer of starlight, no matter how faint, how can I? I fear the dark and I cannot be at your side, not even to hold the spark.'

you would have found us trampled beneath the Nightbeast army.' ~

'Lord, I will lead you to the very heart of our torment, through black chambers that are choked with the forgotten bones of our people. I will guide you to the chamber where Thoron hangs, but you can only travel that road if you are not afraid of the dark, for within the City of Night there is a blackness so complete that you will be lost, even within yourself, if night holds any fear for you.'

Willow turned, grim-faced, towards the warrior army and

called in a loud voice. 'I will take anyone who is not afraid of the dark.'

Thane laughed, moving into the entrance. 'I was born to the Candlelighter in Candlebane Hall. I fear nothing in the dark.'

'There are no candles in the City of Night,' added Willow.

'I will stand by your side,' cried out Kyotorm, a little nervously. 'The dash to World's End made us brothers. I will go with you.'

Tombel moved close to Thane and whispered, 'My heart yearns to follow you, but I cannot face the darkness. Forgive me.'

Thane took Tombel's hand and gripped it tightly. 'Oh, Lord and greatest Marcher Captain, when I came to your house, a low and humble Candleman's son, you made me strong with patient hours of teaching. You readied me for this

task and taught me that we must use the strengths we have.

Your place is here beneath the stars, marshalling day's end and setting fair the wreck of battle. Wait for us two daylights on the high plateau. If we have not returned by then, go back to Underfall and strengthen it against the Master of Darkness.

We are ready to go now.'

'There are no candles beneath the mountain to light the way,' repeated Willow.

'Nor were there candles on the road,' answered Thane.

'l~ulcade, chief Loftmaster Owl shall come with us and be my

eyes for he can see in the dark.'

Esteron, the Warhorse who had carried Thane the length of Elundium, snorted and pawed the ground. 'Esteron shall come, for he fears nothing that moves by night.'

Kyot hesitated between the great marble portals as a hot wind blew on his face and cries of terror came out of the dark.

'I cannot come with you into that blackness!'

'Take my hand, brother,' Thane whispered as Rockspray the Battle Owl stooped to Kyot's shoulder and hooted a challenge at the darkness.

Kyot laughed, lifted his hand and caressed the owl's chest feathers. 'You will be my eyes, great bird of war. Now I can follow!'

Willow pa.s.sed into the darkness, his eyes widening as the Mghtshapes closed off the last shades of evening light, and followed the main highway into the heart of Mantern's Mountain. 'Take care,' willow whispered, 'for the Nightbeast armour has poison in the spikes.'

They carefully picked their way between the fallen carca.s.ses

that littered and in some places almost blocked their road.

'You fought a great battle here in the darkness,' Thane called out softly to Willow, lighting his spark to find a way through the heaps of dead.

'Put out the light!' hissed Willow. 'I can hear voices far ahead of us retreating into the high chambers.'

Seeds of Revenge