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Fantasy Fiction
Chronicles of War I: The Warfarer's Exodus
Chronicles of War I: The Warfarer's Exodus
Chapter 1:
Before the Wall
Epsilon Three and Helmcleaver spend a final night within the Great Barricade.
Page 1:
"The ritual of Alcorde was but a moldering ember of..."
Page 2: "It will come soon enough, now, sighed the sacrific..."
Page 3: ""Hail, Holy Warrior. Gods save the Emperor and Hi..."
Page 4: ""Aye, no other man, and still many truths are left..."
Page 5: ""Well, uhm, yes, forgive me, lord. Forgive us all..."
Page 6: "Holding his wrap with one hand and scratching his ..."
Page 7: ""I won't," interrupted the Warfarer. The Ritual o..."
Page 8: "Deldric smiled crookedly and ran his right hand th..."
Page 9: ""No need, citizen," returned the Warfarer gruffly,..."
Page 10: ""Earn it, then. Tell me news of these parts. Imp..."
Page 11: ""Anyway, she leaves a light burning in the window ..."
Page 12: "For the first time, Epsilon addressed the wretched..."
Page 13: "Epsilon's gaze shifted to find Mary's own crazily ..."
Page 14: ""Sir Horn has trusted you, Ma'am, and you have not..."
Page 15: ""Aye, that I shall do." Epsilon stood to get a pi..."
Page 16: "The big forester smiled slyly and tapped a knowing..."
Page 17: "Epsilon placated the disturbed man with a motion o..."
Page 18: ""Well, I have never been a coward, but I cannot pa..."
Page 19: ""Do not drink water from that river, if you return..."
Page 20: ""No."
"Good, then. Sit back easy now, and ..."
Page 21: ""We mostly get the flying or digging monsters here..."
Page 22: ""A mighty fight ensued, which I cannot describe be..."
Page 23: ""Nothing much happened for the next two sunsets, w..."
Page 24: ""Now I am reminded of a rhyme I have from my child..."
Page 25: ""For the most part they seem benign, scarcely felt..."
Page 26: ""At the least, I and my family have had the what o..."
Page 27: ""Here it was that Marshal's son first encountered ..."
Page 28: "Epsilon spat a stream of jill juice onto the floor..."
Page 29: ""You will want to hear of Grawyler Glenn's Son, no..."
Page 30: ""Oh, I was never offended. I merely questioned yo..."
Page 31: ""Exactly. The horse." Deldric beamed and smacked..."
Page 32: ""And what of the horse? Let me tell you of the ho..."
Page 33: ""We all wondered what had become of him, and it wa..."
Page 34: ""Now none of us could really be said to mourn his ..."
Page 35: ""I hope not so, lord, for you seem a good enough m..."
Page 36: ""You honor me, Deldric Soldwin's Son, more than I ..."
Page 37: ""My flesh lives, citizen, but my soul is long depa..."
Page 38: ""Helmcleaver!" cried Epsilon. Standing and drawin..."
Page 2: "It will come soon enough, now, sighed the sacrific..."
Page 3: ""Hail, Holy Warrior. Gods save the Emperor and Hi..."
Page 4: ""Aye, no other man, and still many truths are left..."
Page 5: ""Well, uhm, yes, forgive me, lord. Forgive us all..."
Page 6: "Holding his wrap with one hand and scratching his ..."
Page 7: ""I won't," interrupted the Warfarer. The Ritual o..."
Page 8: "Deldric smiled crookedly and ran his right hand th..."
Page 9: ""No need, citizen," returned the Warfarer gruffly,..."
Page 10: ""Earn it, then. Tell me news of these parts. Imp..."
Page 11: ""Anyway, she leaves a light burning in the window ..."
Page 12: "For the first time, Epsilon addressed the wretched..."
Page 13: "Epsilon's gaze shifted to find Mary's own crazily ..."
Page 14: ""Sir Horn has trusted you, Ma'am, and you have not..."
Page 15: ""Aye, that I shall do." Epsilon stood to get a pi..."
Page 16: "The big forester smiled slyly and tapped a knowing..."
Page 17: "Epsilon placated the disturbed man with a motion o..."
Page 18: ""Well, I have never been a coward, but I cannot pa..."
Page 19: ""Do not drink water from that river, if you return..."
Page 20: ""No."
"Good, then. Sit back easy now, and ..."
Page 21: ""We mostly get the flying or digging monsters here..."
Page 22: ""A mighty fight ensued, which I cannot describe be..."
Page 23: ""Nothing much happened for the next two sunsets, w..."
Page 24: ""Now I am reminded of a rhyme I have from my child..."
Page 25: ""For the most part they seem benign, scarcely felt..."
Page 26: ""At the least, I and my family have had the what o..."
Page 27: ""Here it was that Marshal's son first encountered ..."
Page 28: "Epsilon spat a stream of jill juice onto the floor..."
Page 29: ""You will want to hear of Grawyler Glenn's Son, no..."
Page 30: ""Oh, I was never offended. I merely questioned yo..."
Page 31: ""Exactly. The horse." Deldric beamed and smacked..."
Page 32: ""And what of the horse? Let me tell you of the ho..."
Page 33: ""We all wondered what had become of him, and it wa..."
Page 34: ""Now none of us could really be said to mourn his ..."
Page 35: ""I hope not so, lord, for you seem a good enough m..."
Page 36: ""You honor me, Deldric Soldwin's Son, more than I ..."
Page 37: ""My flesh lives, citizen, but my soul is long depa..."
Page 38: ""Helmcleaver!" cried Epsilon. Standing and drawin..."
Chapter 5:
Tolls of Empire
Strange travels through the Wilderlands.
Page 1:
"Helmcleaver screamed! The stallion's footfalls we..."
Page 2: "Stooping to retrieve Mary's dried foods, Epsilon s..."
Page 3: "The forester would not answer. He, or she, only c..."
Page 4: "He strode over and dabbed but two crystalline drop..."
Page 5: "Epsilon hung the carcasses from a thick branch, th..."
Page 6: "Aye, this proud maker of war has a heart!
F..."
Page 7: "His crossbow remained ever ready, but no clear opp..."
Page 8: "A strange voice boomed out of the trees now. It w..."
Page 9: "To serve this end, he brought his horse up short a..."
Page 10: "Now the centaur's arrow centered on target. Just ..."
Page 11: "Needing to see no more, Epsilon yanked Helmcleaver..."
Page 12: "It raised its bow. Epsilon saw sunlight flash at ..."
Page 13: ""NAY, FOR YOUR CRIMES ARE NOW CAPITAL! YOU HAVE S..."
Page 14: ""And if I do not?" Epsilon picked a gentle bank t..."
Page 15: "Though he wanted to make a reply, Epsilon dared no..."
Page 16: ""SURRENDER NOW, FRIGHTENED RODENT! YOU ARE FACED ..."
Page 17: "Completely spooked now, Epsilon pressed his back u..."
Page 18: ""No, deception! My bow is lost and broken."
Page 19: ""WHAT?!" it raged, surprised, in the moment before..."
Page 20: ""THEN YOU ARE A FOOL! LEAN CLOSER THAT I MIGHT DA..."
Page 21: ""True, true," he replied, placing his booted foot ..."
Page 22: "The centaur appeared to relent. "PERHAPS IT NEVER..."
Page 23: "He had gathered the reins to walk his winded horse..."
Page 24: "At his back and out of the corner of his right eye..."
Page 25: "Then it began to elongate oddly. Epsilon cocked h..."
Page 26: "Whereupon a heavy weight slammed into the backs of..."
Page 27: "As they wrestled wildly about, Epsilon drew his lo..."
Page 28: "Epsilon growled in rage and pain. With a monument..."
Page 29: "Much like the three creatures he had encountered i..."
Page 30: "Timidly, from well beyond the tree line, a soft, l..."
Page 31: ""Perhaps, but I am learning."
"Perhaps, but..."
Page 32: "Unseen, she laughed again, louder and mockingly th..."
Page 33: ""You did not make me look back. I heard a noise, ..."
Page 34: ""You should be so fortunate." Her tone was sudden..."
Page 35: "The Warfarer's guts stirred uncomfortably. Was sh..."
Page 36: ""It is not an enchanted sort of ugliness... still,..."
Page 37: "Epsilon raised his hand in placation. "No! Stay!..."
Page 38: "The Invisible One fell silent for a time. Epsilon..."
Page 39: ""Why not remain hidden altogether?"
Epsilon..."
Page 40: ""I know. You are of the Martial Rite. Yours is a..."
Page 41: ""So be it. Come down, now, and befriend a fellow ..."
Page 42: "The unseen woman laughed again, mocking him. "I m..."
Page 43: ""Longer, perhaps, with your unqualified aid. Come..."
Page 44: ""That is none of your concern for the moment."
..."
Page 45: ""And perhaps I will one day find a milk cow lodged..."
Page 46: ""I would win."
Epsilon shrugged his shoulde..."
Page 47: ""So you left the notes, hoping to establish the re..."
Page 48: ""There will be other Warfarers, you know." Her to..."
Page 49: "Presently, his benefactor hedged, "And if I step o..."
Page 50: ""And I you."
Another short hesitation follo..."
Page 51: ""Good. I do not want your pity. Or your sympathy..."
Page 52: ""Instantly I realized I should be the one disappea..."
Page 53: ""When I was not found, the troupe panicked, fearin..."
Page 54: ""I experienced many things in my time with the sho..."
Page 55: ""At first glance, this seemed to be no great honor..."
Page 56: ""As it stands, you have heard only the gentlest po..."
Page 57: ""Marakeel charged us with breaching our contract, ..."
Page 58: ""Whatever it wrought in me, that awesome exchange ..."
Page 59: ""I slew men of all shapes and sizes and demeanors,..."
Page 60: ""Then his doors burst asunder, and I entered into ..."
Page 61: ""I followed, only to encounter the way blocked at ..."
Page 62: ""From there, I returned to the dungeons to free my..."
Page 63: ""Having said this, I ask you one last time; will y..."
Page 64: ""Naked, Ma'am? How naked?"
"Utterly. Exce..."
Page 65: "The undergrowth was disturbed quite nearby. Fern ..."
Page 66: "The vision was not what he had expected. He had e..."
Page 67: "Her oddly expressive mouth moved to shape these wo..."
Page 68: ""Oh, that," he intoned dryly. Though he was yet w..."
Page 2: "Stooping to retrieve Mary's dried foods, Epsilon s..."
Page 3: "The forester would not answer. He, or she, only c..."
Page 4: "He strode over and dabbed but two crystalline drop..."
Page 5: "Epsilon hung the carcasses from a thick branch, th..."
Page 6: "Aye, this proud maker of war has a heart!
F..."
Page 7: "His crossbow remained ever ready, but no clear opp..."
Page 8: "A strange voice boomed out of the trees now. It w..."
Page 9: "To serve this end, he brought his horse up short a..."
Page 10: "Now the centaur's arrow centered on target. Just ..."
Page 11: "Needing to see no more, Epsilon yanked Helmcleaver..."
Page 12: "It raised its bow. Epsilon saw sunlight flash at ..."
Page 13: ""NAY, FOR YOUR CRIMES ARE NOW CAPITAL! YOU HAVE S..."
Page 14: ""And if I do not?" Epsilon picked a gentle bank t..."
Page 15: "Though he wanted to make a reply, Epsilon dared no..."
Page 16: ""SURRENDER NOW, FRIGHTENED RODENT! YOU ARE FACED ..."
Page 17: "Completely spooked now, Epsilon pressed his back u..."
Page 18: ""No, deception! My bow is lost and broken."
Page 19: ""WHAT?!" it raged, surprised, in the moment before..."
Page 20: ""THEN YOU ARE A FOOL! LEAN CLOSER THAT I MIGHT DA..."
Page 21: ""True, true," he replied, placing his booted foot ..."
Page 22: "The centaur appeared to relent. "PERHAPS IT NEVER..."
Page 23: "He had gathered the reins to walk his winded horse..."
Page 24: "At his back and out of the corner of his right eye..."
Page 25: "Then it began to elongate oddly. Epsilon cocked h..."
Page 26: "Whereupon a heavy weight slammed into the backs of..."
Page 27: "As they wrestled wildly about, Epsilon drew his lo..."
Page 28: "Epsilon growled in rage and pain. With a monument..."
Page 29: "Much like the three creatures he had encountered i..."
Page 30: "Timidly, from well beyond the tree line, a soft, l..."
Page 31: ""Perhaps, but I am learning."
"Perhaps, but..."
Page 32: "Unseen, she laughed again, louder and mockingly th..."
Page 33: ""You did not make me look back. I heard a noise, ..."
Page 34: ""You should be so fortunate." Her tone was sudden..."
Page 35: "The Warfarer's guts stirred uncomfortably. Was sh..."
Page 36: ""It is not an enchanted sort of ugliness... still,..."
Page 37: "Epsilon raised his hand in placation. "No! Stay!..."
Page 38: "The Invisible One fell silent for a time. Epsilon..."
Page 39: ""Why not remain hidden altogether?"
Epsilon..."
Page 40: ""I know. You are of the Martial Rite. Yours is a..."
Page 41: ""So be it. Come down, now, and befriend a fellow ..."
Page 42: "The unseen woman laughed again, mocking him. "I m..."
Page 43: ""Longer, perhaps, with your unqualified aid. Come..."
Page 44: ""That is none of your concern for the moment."
..."
Page 45: ""And perhaps I will one day find a milk cow lodged..."
Page 46: ""I would win."
Epsilon shrugged his shoulde..."
Page 47: ""So you left the notes, hoping to establish the re..."
Page 48: ""There will be other Warfarers, you know." Her to..."
Page 49: "Presently, his benefactor hedged, "And if I step o..."
Page 50: ""And I you."
Another short hesitation follo..."
Page 51: ""Good. I do not want your pity. Or your sympathy..."
Page 52: ""Instantly I realized I should be the one disappea..."
Page 53: ""When I was not found, the troupe panicked, fearin..."
Page 54: ""I experienced many things in my time with the sho..."
Page 55: ""At first glance, this seemed to be no great honor..."
Page 56: ""As it stands, you have heard only the gentlest po..."
Page 57: ""Marakeel charged us with breaching our contract, ..."
Page 58: ""Whatever it wrought in me, that awesome exchange ..."
Page 59: ""I slew men of all shapes and sizes and demeanors,..."
Page 60: ""Then his doors burst asunder, and I entered into ..."
Page 61: ""I followed, only to encounter the way blocked at ..."
Page 62: ""From there, I returned to the dungeons to free my..."
Page 63: ""Having said this, I ask you one last time; will y..."
Page 64: ""Naked, Ma'am? How naked?"
"Utterly. Exce..."
Page 65: "The undergrowth was disturbed quite nearby. Fern ..."
Page 66: "The vision was not what he had expected. He had e..."
Page 67: "Her oddly expressive mouth moved to shape these wo..."
Page 68: ""Oh, that," he intoned dryly. Though he was yet w..."
Chapter 9:
Half a Pint
In Oreset, Epsilon Three meets a future king.
Page 1:
"That night, long after moonset, they pitched camp ..."
Page 2: ""Why am I unsurprised?"
"Then you will go?"..."
Page 3: ""Never mind the boy, Sir Epsilon." She opened her..."
Page 4: ""How shall we find each other?"
"Once you l..."
Page 5: ""Here." Her talon lingered just south of Oreset, ..."
Page 6: ""Watch your pockets and pouches, and do not make f..."
Page 7: ""Is there no king in this city? No king's men?"
Page 8: ""As it is unlikely you will enter the city walls m..."
Page 9: ""It should be little trouble to get an audience wi..."
Page 10: ""Then what will you do with it?"
"The quest..."
Page 11: ""Why should I do that?"
"Because he owns th..."
Page 12: ""I come to that presently. Let me finish instruct..."
Page 13: ""Oh? Why the lowliest?" The other part of her ad..."
Page 14: "They rode on in silence for a time while Epsilon m..."
Page 15: "Casting a quick spell of protection over her gener..."
Page 16: "In fact, it was Helmcleaver that made the discover..."
Page 17: ""Oreset," he huffed, "aye. It will be my first vi..."
Page 18: ""Why, damnation, Sir, it is a fortunate thing you ..."
Page 19: ""Yes," giggled Beege, "when it is time."
"I..."
Page 20: "Before he could reach for his empty skins, Grithen..."
Page 21: "Epsilon pretended not to notice what had happened...."
Page 22: "While the youth waited for his turn at the skin, E..."
Page 23: "Wiping a run of wine from his hairy jowls, Grithen..."
Page 24: "Epsilon grunted impartially, and weighed the boy's..."
Page 25: ""W-what do you mean, sir?"
"I mean to say, ..."
Page 26: ""And you, pock-face? What is your opinion?"
Page 27: ""Aye, and easily so."
"Good. Then you shal..."
Page 28: ""Go now, boy, and quickly. Do not look back for f..."
Page 29: ""Be silent, filth! You were not addressed!"
Page 30: ""What was the boy to you, Fat Grithen? Or you, Be..."
Page 31: ""First you are infinitely wise in the ways of this..."
Page 32: "Perhaps the mean one expected mercy for his testim..."
Page 33: "Beege nodded, his face pale and eyes wide. He str..."
Page 34: "While the role of judge did not naturally suit him..."
Page 35: "Ahead of him, Oreset's massive gates closed ponder..."
Page 36: "A crowd surged up around him quite suddenly, appea..."
Page 37: "Epsilon was confused. "What would I do with twent..."
Page 38: ""Gratis? Really? Damnation, sir, let me buy you ..."
Page 39: "From the corner of his gaze, he watched the armore..."
Page 40: ""Each murdered the other, eh? How would that happ..."
Page 41: ""Knew well," corrected Epsilon automatically.
<..."
Page 42: ""Oh, yes, that. It is a simple matter of taxes an..."
Page 43: ""You did not spit at his name or call him your ene..."
Page 44: ""What matter here," whined the guard? "Am I soile..."
Page 45: ""Take them off at once. I will buy them from you...."
Page 46: ""Oreset."
"No, its ancient name. Its name ..."
Page 47: "Naturally, Epsilon made no move to catch the drunk..."
Page 48: ""Oh, I will not."
"Good. Now I should like..."
Page 49: ""What is the name of this place, then?"
"Er..."
Page 50: ""It takes more than a badge, citizen. Now tell me..."
Page 51: "Old Bob laughed long and loud at Epsilon's first r..."
Page 52: ""I see. So you simply declare yourself the gateke..."
Page 53: ""I see no need to boast in your company, sir, but ..."
Page 54: "Of Old Bob, he asked, "How does the entire company..."
Page 55: ""I know not, precisely. The Guard receives nothin..."
Page 56: ""Have you rid yourselves of all law and order?"
Page 57: ""They have tried, sir, but the first time one of t..."
Page 58: ""Surely you feel free to confide in me, Old Bob. ..."
Page 59: ""As the story was told to me, chaos reined in the ..."
Page 60: ""It was a hard year for us, sir. We lost twenty f..."
Page 61: ""Well? I am waiting still."
"Still," parrie..."
Page 62: ""Yes, well, as I said, sir, they of the Round Tabl..."
Page 63: ""Must you hurry off so quickly, Old Bob," wondered..."
Page 64: "Applauding the woman's ferocity and her bloodied n..."
Page 65: "No one else seemed to notice the vacancy, as he ha..."
Page 66: ""He will awaken missing a few more, I think." The..."
Page 67: "The midget's face went from confused and mystified..."
Page 68: "A fat, rancid old man with one peg leg and a scrag..."
Page 69: ""Here, now," inserted the old man's table mate. "..."
Page 70: "He cackled again, "You make sport, sir! You make ..."
Page 71: "The Ritesman arched his eyebrows suggestively. He..."
Page 72: ""The captains, sir. Traders. Explorers. Adventu..."
Page 73: ""Well done, brave Half Pint, and just the bladder ..."
Page 74: ""And the bath?"
"Simply call for it, sir. ..."
Page 75: "The dwarf smiled happily and bobbed a quick bow be..."
Page 76: "Jod and Nod exchanged puzzled looks. Jod, apparen..."
Page 77: "Jod swelled noticeably and belched, "Nobody in thi..."
Page 78: ""There," boasted Jod, "you see how easily Nod may ..."
Page 79: "A large man backed through, wielding a cumbersome ..."
Page 80: "Epsilon drew Helmcleaver through the high double d..."
Page 81: "He felt the overall atmosphere of this portion of ..."
Page 82: "The halfling fell silent abruptly, and Epsilon wai..."
Page 83: "Here was living proof. These simple, backward cit..."
Page 84: "With a last bow, Selena danced to the center of th..."
Page 85: "While he ate, Selena shed her gaudy clothing bit b..."
Page 86: ""I have nothing to trade at present, citizen. No,..."
Page 87: ""Then may I have your name, sir?"
"Epsilon ..."
Page 88: "Leering happily, the southron pushed his chair aro..."
Page 89: "The Ritesman chewed thoughtfully, and eyed the moo..."
Page 90: ""No, for I am already dead. This flesh you see si..."
Page 91: "Andrietti waved his mate's animosity aside. "Word..."
Page 92: ""Hedonist."
"Aye, and proudly so. Yet, tel..."
Page 93: ""No, he cannot," conceded Andrietti Vespuzia.
<..."
Page 94: ""Aye. It would be foolish to deny what you say, f..."
Page 95: "The Ritesman remained silent while the tirade cont..."
Page 96: ""You mean to say the winning fight," and the south..."
Page 97: "The Ritesman maintained a neutral expression. "I ..."
Page 98: "Epsilon patiently waited for his affable mate's ga..."
Page 99: "The southron waxed suddenly angry. "Peshau me'leu..."
Page 100: ""His father and brothers, you mean."
"Aye. ..."
Page 101: ""Cat?"
"Cat-o'-nine tails. The mariner's h..."
Page 102: ""Of course you do. You must. Note that I did not..."
Page 103: ""Yet we endured. We endured the lacerating, gale ..."
Page 104: ""But sail was our only recourse. The City of Lost..."
Page 105: "Somebody across the way, possibly another of Doole..."
Page 106: ""Which action served to add further fuel to our ra..."
Page 107: "Andrietti stopped speaking, breathless from his ta..."
Page 108: ""Then I retired to my tent to tie bits of the boat..."
Page 109: ""Bah," he belched at last, his leer returning! Th..."
Page 110: ""How do you pilot your boat, captain? With a so c..."
Page 111: "A long, sinister shadow rolled suddenly across the..."
Page 112: ""Hold there, citizen," protested the Ritesman, rai..."
Page 113: ""The devil you say," bellowed an enraged Epsilon! ..."
Page 2: ""Why am I unsurprised?"
"Then you will go?"..."
Page 3: ""Never mind the boy, Sir Epsilon." She opened her..."
Page 4: ""How shall we find each other?"
"Once you l..."
Page 5: ""Here." Her talon lingered just south of Oreset, ..."
Page 6: ""Watch your pockets and pouches, and do not make f..."
Page 7: ""Is there no king in this city? No king's men?"
Page 8: ""As it is unlikely you will enter the city walls m..."
Page 9: ""It should be little trouble to get an audience wi..."
Page 10: ""Then what will you do with it?"
"The quest..."
Page 11: ""Why should I do that?"
"Because he owns th..."
Page 12: ""I come to that presently. Let me finish instruct..."
Page 13: ""Oh? Why the lowliest?" The other part of her ad..."
Page 14: "They rode on in silence for a time while Epsilon m..."
Page 15: "Casting a quick spell of protection over her gener..."
Page 16: "In fact, it was Helmcleaver that made the discover..."
Page 17: ""Oreset," he huffed, "aye. It will be my first vi..."
Page 18: ""Why, damnation, Sir, it is a fortunate thing you ..."
Page 19: ""Yes," giggled Beege, "when it is time."
"I..."
Page 20: "Before he could reach for his empty skins, Grithen..."
Page 21: "Epsilon pretended not to notice what had happened...."
Page 22: "While the youth waited for his turn at the skin, E..."
Page 23: "Wiping a run of wine from his hairy jowls, Grithen..."
Page 24: "Epsilon grunted impartially, and weighed the boy's..."
Page 25: ""W-what do you mean, sir?"
"I mean to say, ..."
Page 26: ""And you, pock-face? What is your opinion?"
Page 27: ""Aye, and easily so."
"Good. Then you shal..."
Page 28: ""Go now, boy, and quickly. Do not look back for f..."
Page 29: ""Be silent, filth! You were not addressed!"
Page 30: ""What was the boy to you, Fat Grithen? Or you, Be..."
Page 31: ""First you are infinitely wise in the ways of this..."
Page 32: "Perhaps the mean one expected mercy for his testim..."
Page 33: "Beege nodded, his face pale and eyes wide. He str..."
Page 34: "While the role of judge did not naturally suit him..."
Page 35: "Ahead of him, Oreset's massive gates closed ponder..."
Page 36: "A crowd surged up around him quite suddenly, appea..."
Page 37: "Epsilon was confused. "What would I do with twent..."
Page 38: ""Gratis? Really? Damnation, sir, let me buy you ..."
Page 39: "From the corner of his gaze, he watched the armore..."
Page 40: ""Each murdered the other, eh? How would that happ..."
Page 41: ""Knew well," corrected Epsilon automatically.
<..."
Page 42: ""Oh, yes, that. It is a simple matter of taxes an..."
Page 43: ""You did not spit at his name or call him your ene..."
Page 44: ""What matter here," whined the guard? "Am I soile..."
Page 45: ""Take them off at once. I will buy them from you...."
Page 46: ""Oreset."
"No, its ancient name. Its name ..."
Page 47: "Naturally, Epsilon made no move to catch the drunk..."
Page 48: ""Oh, I will not."
"Good. Now I should like..."
Page 49: ""What is the name of this place, then?"
"Er..."
Page 50: ""It takes more than a badge, citizen. Now tell me..."
Page 51: "Old Bob laughed long and loud at Epsilon's first r..."
Page 52: ""I see. So you simply declare yourself the gateke..."
Page 53: ""I see no need to boast in your company, sir, but ..."
Page 54: "Of Old Bob, he asked, "How does the entire company..."
Page 55: ""I know not, precisely. The Guard receives nothin..."
Page 56: ""Have you rid yourselves of all law and order?"
Page 57: ""They have tried, sir, but the first time one of t..."
Page 58: ""Surely you feel free to confide in me, Old Bob. ..."
Page 59: ""As the story was told to me, chaos reined in the ..."
Page 60: ""It was a hard year for us, sir. We lost twenty f..."
Page 61: ""Well? I am waiting still."
"Still," parrie..."
Page 62: ""Yes, well, as I said, sir, they of the Round Tabl..."
Page 63: ""Must you hurry off so quickly, Old Bob," wondered..."
Page 64: "Applauding the woman's ferocity and her bloodied n..."
Page 65: "No one else seemed to notice the vacancy, as he ha..."
Page 66: ""He will awaken missing a few more, I think." The..."
Page 67: "The midget's face went from confused and mystified..."
Page 68: "A fat, rancid old man with one peg leg and a scrag..."
Page 69: ""Here, now," inserted the old man's table mate. "..."
Page 70: "He cackled again, "You make sport, sir! You make ..."
Page 71: "The Ritesman arched his eyebrows suggestively. He..."
Page 72: ""The captains, sir. Traders. Explorers. Adventu..."
Page 73: ""Well done, brave Half Pint, and just the bladder ..."
Page 74: ""And the bath?"
"Simply call for it, sir. ..."
Page 75: "The dwarf smiled happily and bobbed a quick bow be..."
Page 76: "Jod and Nod exchanged puzzled looks. Jod, apparen..."
Page 77: "Jod swelled noticeably and belched, "Nobody in thi..."
Page 78: ""There," boasted Jod, "you see how easily Nod may ..."
Page 79: "A large man backed through, wielding a cumbersome ..."
Page 80: "Epsilon drew Helmcleaver through the high double d..."
Page 81: "He felt the overall atmosphere of this portion of ..."
Page 82: "The halfling fell silent abruptly, and Epsilon wai..."
Page 83: "Here was living proof. These simple, backward cit..."
Page 84: "With a last bow, Selena danced to the center of th..."
Page 85: "While he ate, Selena shed her gaudy clothing bit b..."
Page 86: ""I have nothing to trade at present, citizen. No,..."
Page 87: ""Then may I have your name, sir?"
"Epsilon ..."
Page 88: "Leering happily, the southron pushed his chair aro..."
Page 89: "The Ritesman chewed thoughtfully, and eyed the moo..."
Page 90: ""No, for I am already dead. This flesh you see si..."
Page 91: "Andrietti waved his mate's animosity aside. "Word..."
Page 92: ""Hedonist."
"Aye, and proudly so. Yet, tel..."
Page 93: ""No, he cannot," conceded Andrietti Vespuzia.
<..."
Page 94: ""Aye. It would be foolish to deny what you say, f..."
Page 95: "The Ritesman remained silent while the tirade cont..."
Page 96: ""You mean to say the winning fight," and the south..."
Page 97: "The Ritesman maintained a neutral expression. "I ..."
Page 98: "Epsilon patiently waited for his affable mate's ga..."
Page 99: "The southron waxed suddenly angry. "Peshau me'leu..."
Page 100: ""His father and brothers, you mean."
"Aye. ..."
Page 101: ""Cat?"
"Cat-o'-nine tails. The mariner's h..."
Page 102: ""Of course you do. You must. Note that I did not..."
Page 103: ""Yet we endured. We endured the lacerating, gale ..."
Page 104: ""But sail was our only recourse. The City of Lost..."
Page 105: "Somebody across the way, possibly another of Doole..."
Page 106: ""Which action served to add further fuel to our ra..."
Page 107: "Andrietti stopped speaking, breathless from his ta..."
Page 108: ""Then I retired to my tent to tie bits of the boat..."
Page 109: ""Bah," he belched at last, his leer returning! Th..."
Page 110: ""How do you pilot your boat, captain? With a so c..."
Page 111: "A long, sinister shadow rolled suddenly across the..."
Page 112: ""Hold there, citizen," protested the Ritesman, rai..."
Page 113: ""The devil you say," bellowed an enraged Epsilon! ..."
Chapter 2:
Of Empire and Alcorde
Epsilon Three and Helmcleaver travel to the postern gate where they will depart from Empire.
Page 1:
"Epsilon's warhorse was quartered in a small corral..."
Page 2: "Whining, the foiled thief collapsed to his knees, ..."
Page 3: ""The coward will not bare his hands or his face." ..."
Page 4: "Epsilon had already taken note of the changeling i..."
Page 5: ""Oh, beasts most assuredly, sire. Beasts from the..."
Page 6: "The Warfarer made a scoffing, derisive noise with ..."
Page 7: ""Twice, actually, lord. Many years ago."
"..."
Page 8: ""All of them born into the Martial Rite. All of t..."
Page 9: "Deldric gasped to hear the Warfarer's last words, ..."
Page 10: ""Unfortunately for us all, The Wall Builder was no..."
Page 11: ""Yet, this was not to be, for old men that perish ..."
Page 12: ""Now it is well known even among the common people..."
Page 13: "Soldwin's Son scratched his head and averted his k..."
Page 2: "Whining, the foiled thief collapsed to his knees, ..."
Page 3: ""The coward will not bare his hands or his face." ..."
Page 4: "Epsilon had already taken note of the changeling i..."
Page 5: ""Oh, beasts most assuredly, sire. Beasts from the..."
Page 6: "The Warfarer made a scoffing, derisive noise with ..."
Page 7: ""Twice, actually, lord. Many years ago."
"..."
Page 8: ""All of them born into the Martial Rite. All of t..."
Page 9: "Deldric gasped to hear the Warfarer's last words, ..."
Page 10: ""Unfortunately for us all, The Wall Builder was no..."
Page 11: ""Yet, this was not to be, for old men that perish ..."
Page 12: ""Now it is well known even among the common people..."
Page 13: "Soldwin's Son scratched his head and averted his k..."
Chapter 6:
The Invisible Revealed
Epsilon Three meets a wizardess, Pandolyn.
Page 1:
"They faced one another squarely and without speaki..."
Page 2: "The monster rubbed snouts with the fierce warhorse..."
Page 3: ""As with your other forebodings, I can only reply ..."
Page 4: ""Fair enough. Perhaps you would like to know what..."
Page 5: "Epsilon stood in front of his squatting benefactor..."
Page 6: ""I have a cup, but perhaps you would prefer wine, ..."
Page 7: ""Juliose."
"Juliose..." he let the syllable..."
Page 8: ""I had not thought them to be. These woods could ..."
Page 9: "Raising it to his nose, he sniffled it cautiously ..."
Page 10: ""I know what they are called, sir. Do not forget ..."
Page 11: ""But this Semmelweiss... was he not great?"
Page 12: ""I am. Or would be. I inherited Semmelweiss' pow..."
Page 13: ""The Septad is a circle of power, and the Synod oc..."
Page 14: ""I see," hedged Epsilon, thoroughly confused. He ..."
Page 15: ""Because the concept of ethereal power is a multi-..."
Page 16: ""For Sin or Rit?"
"That, I am sure, would d..."
Page 17: ""No, not destroyed. All but destroyed. Rit Infri..."
Page 18: "He shrugged, thinking how he was bound south, not ..."
Page 19: ""Because you want to survive."
"In that, yo..."
Page 20: ""There is, obviously, one thing you do not know," ..."
Page 21: ""Semantics. Simple semantics."
"I beg your..."
Page 22: ""And you say your predecessor magician lived to be..."
Page 23: ""What are your thoughts, sir?"
"I was consi..."
Page 24: ""What of this Rit Infri? Is he missing also, or h..."
Page 25: ""The power of the circle cannot be diminished, it ..."
Page 26: ""What do you think has become of him?"
"Or ..."
Page 27: ""Despised by whom?"
"The people... the crea..."
Page 28: ""Of course not. I simply had not realized the ful..."
Page 29: ""When your predecessors ventured into the Wilderla..."
Page 30: ""Primarily, I noted that you came equipped for an ..."
Page 31: ""Still you have not told me what becomes of those ..."
Page 32: ""A higher milt. It would have soon molted for the..."
Page 33: "He winced again, "I asked you to stop that, Ma'am...."
Page 34: ""Every single one. They are physically the top of..."
Page 35: ""Pardon me, Sir," she intoned apologetically, with..."
Page 36: ""Beg pardon, Ma'am, but I must ask again; why are ..."
Page 37: "Several times, as they hurried south, Epsilon foun..."
Page 38: "The monster had dashed to the tree line, and was p..."
Page 39: ""Or hers." Hoping his sudden outburst had not spo..."
Page 40: "She chuckled humorlessly, a child amused by an ins..."
Page 41: "How could he be anything but pleased to hear Pando..."
Page 42: "Epsilon spat poisonously. "To hell's heart with t..."
Page 43: "Pandolyn's tone indicated her confusion. "Why sho..."
Page 44: "His face red, he huffed, "You do me no honor, Ma'a..."
Page 45: ""Yes. Once. It is a violent, storming place, voi..."
Page 46: ""Ah," he gloated. "At last we are come to your bu..."
Page 47: ""Certainly not sand beaches and sea shores. Rathe..."
Page 48: "She felt irresistibly drawn into song;
"The..."
Page 49: "Pandolyn made a dismissive gesture with one powerf..."
Page 50: ""No! That is the damnable aspect of it all! Sin ..."
Page 51: ""Now there is only one way for Sin Supri to impose..."
Page 52: ""A poorly defended wall is one thing. An army to ..."
Page 53: ""No, Apica would not allow his minions to serve Ri..."
Page 54: ""Not one is older than thirty years, sir. All are..."
Page 55: "She was suddenly subdued. "Alas, I have no heavy ..."
Page 56: ""What of the walls? How will your armies get behi..."
Page 57: ""In this matter of offense, once must be enough."<..."
Page 58: ""I am not decided. I will want to know more, ere ..."
Page 59: ""Nothing of real value." Pandolyn fell silent to ..."
Page 60: "Epsilon eyed the lizard lady sharply, but held his..."
Page 2: "The monster rubbed snouts with the fierce warhorse..."
Page 3: ""As with your other forebodings, I can only reply ..."
Page 4: ""Fair enough. Perhaps you would like to know what..."
Page 5: "Epsilon stood in front of his squatting benefactor..."
Page 6: ""I have a cup, but perhaps you would prefer wine, ..."
Page 7: ""Juliose."
"Juliose..." he let the syllable..."
Page 8: ""I had not thought them to be. These woods could ..."
Page 9: "Raising it to his nose, he sniffled it cautiously ..."
Page 10: ""I know what they are called, sir. Do not forget ..."
Page 11: ""But this Semmelweiss... was he not great?"
Page 12: ""I am. Or would be. I inherited Semmelweiss' pow..."
Page 13: ""The Septad is a circle of power, and the Synod oc..."
Page 14: ""I see," hedged Epsilon, thoroughly confused. He ..."
Page 15: ""Because the concept of ethereal power is a multi-..."
Page 16: ""For Sin or Rit?"
"That, I am sure, would d..."
Page 17: ""No, not destroyed. All but destroyed. Rit Infri..."
Page 18: "He shrugged, thinking how he was bound south, not ..."
Page 19: ""Because you want to survive."
"In that, yo..."
Page 20: ""There is, obviously, one thing you do not know," ..."
Page 21: ""Semantics. Simple semantics."
"I beg your..."
Page 22: ""And you say your predecessor magician lived to be..."
Page 23: ""What are your thoughts, sir?"
"I was consi..."
Page 24: ""What of this Rit Infri? Is he missing also, or h..."
Page 25: ""The power of the circle cannot be diminished, it ..."
Page 26: ""What do you think has become of him?"
"Or ..."
Page 27: ""Despised by whom?"
"The people... the crea..."
Page 28: ""Of course not. I simply had not realized the ful..."
Page 29: ""When your predecessors ventured into the Wilderla..."
Page 30: ""Primarily, I noted that you came equipped for an ..."
Page 31: ""Still you have not told me what becomes of those ..."
Page 32: ""A higher milt. It would have soon molted for the..."
Page 33: "He winced again, "I asked you to stop that, Ma'am...."
Page 34: ""Every single one. They are physically the top of..."
Page 35: ""Pardon me, Sir," she intoned apologetically, with..."
Page 36: ""Beg pardon, Ma'am, but I must ask again; why are ..."
Page 37: "Several times, as they hurried south, Epsilon foun..."
Page 38: "The monster had dashed to the tree line, and was p..."
Page 39: ""Or hers." Hoping his sudden outburst had not spo..."
Page 40: "She chuckled humorlessly, a child amused by an ins..."
Page 41: "How could he be anything but pleased to hear Pando..."
Page 42: "Epsilon spat poisonously. "To hell's heart with t..."
Page 43: "Pandolyn's tone indicated her confusion. "Why sho..."
Page 44: "His face red, he huffed, "You do me no honor, Ma'a..."
Page 45: ""Yes. Once. It is a violent, storming place, voi..."
Page 46: ""Ah," he gloated. "At last we are come to your bu..."
Page 47: ""Certainly not sand beaches and sea shores. Rathe..."
Page 48: "She felt irresistibly drawn into song;
"The..."
Page 49: "Pandolyn made a dismissive gesture with one powerf..."
Page 50: ""No! That is the damnable aspect of it all! Sin ..."
Page 51: ""Now there is only one way for Sin Supri to impose..."
Page 52: ""A poorly defended wall is one thing. An army to ..."
Page 53: ""No, Apica would not allow his minions to serve Ri..."
Page 54: ""Not one is older than thirty years, sir. All are..."
Page 55: "She was suddenly subdued. "Alas, I have no heavy ..."
Page 56: ""What of the walls? How will your armies get behi..."
Page 57: ""In this matter of offense, once must be enough."<..."
Page 58: ""I am not decided. I will want to know more, ere ..."
Page 59: ""Nothing of real value." Pandolyn fell silent to ..."
Page 60: "Epsilon eyed the lizard lady sharply, but held his..."
Chapter 10:
1Among Rogues and Vagabonds
Epsilon schemes to purge Oreset of its parasites.
Page 1:
"Epsilon stood at the foot of the stair in a crouch..."
Page 2: "He might easily have slain the hasty one on first ..."
Page 3: "In the silence that followed, a sound of splatteri..."
Page 4: "Paying his soiled opponents no further heed, Epsil..."
Page 5: ""Then bring it, ere I disrobe, and return with it ..."
Page 6: "After bolting the door, he removed his tattered cl..."
Page 7: ""None other."
"I only meant to help, sir. ..."
Page 8: "Half Pint cleared his throat and picked up his mas..."
Page 9: ""Perhaps. Or perhaps the trader will have sailed ..."
Page 10: ""None, sire. I swear it."
Epsilon approach..."
Page 11: "Eyeing the water longingly, the Ritesman relented ..."
Page 12: "The halfling blushed. "I thank you, master, for y..."
Page 13: "The Warfarer was quick to insert, "The Rite is not..."
Page 14: "Half Pint nodded and wiped at his nose with the ba..."
Page 15: ""Such as the Nefarious' final voyage."
"He ..."
Page 16: "The midget was appalled. "I have no need to doubt ..."
Page 17: ""Though nothing is sacred in Oreset, some men stil..."
Page 18: ""It will be a sadder day for me, citizen. Yet I t..."
Page 19: ""Of course."
Epsilon bolted the door and re..."
Page 2: "He might easily have slain the hasty one on first ..."
Page 3: "In the silence that followed, a sound of splatteri..."
Page 4: "Paying his soiled opponents no further heed, Epsil..."
Page 5: ""Then bring it, ere I disrobe, and return with it ..."
Page 6: "After bolting the door, he removed his tattered cl..."
Page 7: ""None other."
"I only meant to help, sir. ..."
Page 8: "Half Pint cleared his throat and picked up his mas..."
Page 9: ""Perhaps. Or perhaps the trader will have sailed ..."
Page 10: ""None, sire. I swear it."
Epsilon approach..."
Page 11: "Eyeing the water longingly, the Ritesman relented ..."
Page 12: "The halfling blushed. "I thank you, master, for y..."
Page 13: "The Warfarer was quick to insert, "The Rite is not..."
Page 14: "Half Pint nodded and wiped at his nose with the ba..."
Page 15: ""Such as the Nefarious' final voyage."
"He ..."
Page 16: "The midget was appalled. "I have no need to doubt ..."
Page 17: ""Though nothing is sacred in Oreset, some men stil..."
Page 18: ""It will be a sadder day for me, citizen. Yet I t..."
Page 19: ""Of course."
Epsilon bolted the door and re..."
Chapter 3:
Exodus
Epsilon Three's first moments in the Wilderlands.
Page 1:
"Epsilon was awakened the next morning by a flight ..."
Page 2: "Yet how should he spend these last precious moment..."
Page 3: "Epsilon was by nature a foot-sturdy man, not given..."
Page 4: "When this display was finished, the horse trotted ..."
Page 5: "When he finally pushed his platter away, satiated,..."
Page 6: "Outside, he tied the baggage to the back of his sa..."
Page 7: ""A bit, perhaps. We were too late and too long at ..."
Page 8: ""Indeed."
"Well, sir, what with you tending..."
Page 9: "A tiny voice squeaked, "Do you walk even in dreams..."
Page 10: ""Indeed."
"Then say you nothing at all, goo..."
Page 11: "So far from Capitol Tesla, the road was reduced to..."
Page 12: "Here again he was come up against a puzzle with no..."
Page 13: "Epsilon patiently awaited the outcome of this mort..."
Page 14: "As if in answer to Epsilon's unspoken queries, the..."
Page 15: "Presently, the bird ruffled its feathers and squaw..."
Page 16: "This was a massively dominating structure that str..."
Page 17: "For the most part, it was an aggrandized version o..."
Page 18: "Crudely written, as though the author had held the..."
Page 19: "Epsilon expected the granite underneath to swing o..."
Page 20: "He was just beginning to doubt the mechanism, when..."
Page 21: "The outer gates separated vertically by a column o..."
Page 22: "There might be little to fear in the Wilderlands. ..."
Page 23: "Something was indeed amiss in the Wilderlands. Of..."
Page 24: "Epsilon replaced the scroll where he had found it,..."
Page 25: "Epsilon spurred Helmcleaver forward into a mindles..."
Page 26: "...then, as quickly as his flight for life had beg..."
Page 27: "As it approached the tree line, the monster began ..."
Page 28: "When it at last came to rest, the broken monster c..."
Page 29: "Helmcleaver nodded and snorted, stamping. Epsilon..."
Page 30: "He scanned the trees nervously once more, chewing ..."
Page 31: "Unrolling it onto his knees, Epsilon extracted sev..."
Page 32: "All of this was comforting in many aspects, and wo..."
Page 33: "At any rate, night was coming on, and this seemed ..."
Page 34: "A folded piece of paper was wedged into the conica..."
Page 35: "Back at the well house, Epsilon ate dried venison,..."
Page 36: "He read hastily;
I am not a 'changeling sha..."
Page 37: "For destroy it he must. It was not a friend. Not..."
Page 38: "Epsilon would be cautious, then, on both fronts. ..."
Page 2: "Yet how should he spend these last precious moment..."
Page 3: "Epsilon was by nature a foot-sturdy man, not given..."
Page 4: "When this display was finished, the horse trotted ..."
Page 5: "When he finally pushed his platter away, satiated,..."
Page 6: "Outside, he tied the baggage to the back of his sa..."
Page 7: ""A bit, perhaps. We were too late and too long at ..."
Page 8: ""Indeed."
"Well, sir, what with you tending..."
Page 9: "A tiny voice squeaked, "Do you walk even in dreams..."
Page 10: ""Indeed."
"Then say you nothing at all, goo..."
Page 11: "So far from Capitol Tesla, the road was reduced to..."
Page 12: "Here again he was come up against a puzzle with no..."
Page 13: "Epsilon patiently awaited the outcome of this mort..."
Page 14: "As if in answer to Epsilon's unspoken queries, the..."
Page 15: "Presently, the bird ruffled its feathers and squaw..."
Page 16: "This was a massively dominating structure that str..."
Page 17: "For the most part, it was an aggrandized version o..."
Page 18: "Crudely written, as though the author had held the..."
Page 19: "Epsilon expected the granite underneath to swing o..."
Page 20: "He was just beginning to doubt the mechanism, when..."
Page 21: "The outer gates separated vertically by a column o..."
Page 22: "There might be little to fear in the Wilderlands. ..."
Page 23: "Something was indeed amiss in the Wilderlands. Of..."
Page 24: "Epsilon replaced the scroll where he had found it,..."
Page 25: "Epsilon spurred Helmcleaver forward into a mindles..."
Page 26: "...then, as quickly as his flight for life had beg..."
Page 27: "As it approached the tree line, the monster began ..."
Page 28: "When it at last came to rest, the broken monster c..."
Page 29: "Helmcleaver nodded and snorted, stamping. Epsilon..."
Page 30: "He scanned the trees nervously once more, chewing ..."
Page 31: "Unrolling it onto his knees, Epsilon extracted sev..."
Page 32: "All of this was comforting in many aspects, and wo..."
Page 33: "At any rate, night was coming on, and this seemed ..."
Page 34: "A folded piece of paper was wedged into the conica..."
Page 35: "Back at the well house, Epsilon ate dried venison,..."
Page 36: "He read hastily;
I am not a 'changeling sha..."
Page 37: "For destroy it he must. It was not a friend. Not..."
Page 38: "Epsilon would be cautious, then, on both fronts. ..."
Chapter 7:
Exile of Dung
Epsilon Three meets Pandolyn's protégé, Ubar.
Page 1:
"As Pandolyn had predicted, the two travelers came ..."
Page 2: "Helmcleaver passed through the huge, hanging cloud..."
Page 3: ""Ubar?" groaned the Hero of Alcorde. "Who is Ubar..."
Page 4: "Blinking his bleary, half blind eyes widely open, ..."
Page 5: "Epsilon shrugged helplessly. "I shall take your w..."
Page 6: ""He was intended to slay your enemies, not I!"
..."
Page 7: "The Warfarer extended a halting hand to stop the r..."
Page 8: ""Seventeen," provided the boy. He turned to Pando..."
Page 9: ""Do not be petty, sir. Your beauty will not win B..."
Page 10: ""Then he must feel lighter for the experience, I s..."
Page 11: ""A grove perhaps, in comparison. Again, feel no s..."
Page 12: ""Why must I?"
"For the good of our conquest..."
Page 13: "The wizard was suspicious. "A look or a cut?"
..."
Page 14: "Turning in his seat, the Ritesman spat to the grou..."
Page 15: "Epsilon's hand snapped away from its task abruptly..."
Page 16: "Pandolyn snorted softly, as though this was the la..."
Page 17: ""Of course. Did you think his enormous vanity wou..."
Page 18: ""Word of his prowess and depravity swept through t..."
Page 19: "Epsilon paled and gasped involuntarily. "What?" ..."
Page 20: ""With this in mind, he initiated his new campaign ..."
Page 21: ""Just before dawn, the slaughter began. When it w..."
Page 22: "The Warfarer struggled to absorb all he had heard...."
Page 23: ""To label it lightly," Epsilon agreed morosely. T..."
Page 24: "Indeed, the boy-lizard made a gargling noise far b..."
Page 25: ""I did not mean to imply that I would not serve as..."
Page 26: "With that said, he called Helmcleaver away from fo..."
Page 27: "As if in answer to this unspoken question, Epsilon..."
Page 28: "Suddenly filled with a violent spirit, Epsilon dre..."
Page 29: "From there, they pushed on in silence, each broodi..."
Page 30: "Pandolyn smiled a toothy, reptilian smile and rumm..."
Page 31: "Eyestone of Bebblegeth, un-blinded orb,
wat..."
Page 32: ""There, the boy king was betrayed, as Vandegarte w..."
Page 33: "Ubar raised his eyes to the heavens and mouthed a ..."
Page 34: ""Yes, High Wizard. I have erred. Forgive me, Sir..."
Page 35: ""Indeed, for I have not heard it in many months!"<..."
Page 36: ""As I have said, the Lyres were his answer to Tall..."
Page 37: ""As soon as the first string was plucked, all with..."
Page 38: ""I do not believe that for an instant," interjecte..."
Page 39: ""I wager you have never tasted its like, even then..."
Page 40: ""Half-Royal, actually. On my father's side, as we..."
Page 41: ""So precarious was my position, that I feared bein..."
Page 42: ""It was the mages, you see, corrupt as they are. ..."
Page 43: ""This was the crux of my enlightenment, for it had..."
Page 44: ""When I told him what I had discovered, he paled s..."
Page 45: ""Correct." Ubar fairly purred his approval. "You..."
Page 46: ""For a time, at least. Oh, I held no delusions th..."
Page 47: ""Weeks and months passed after my discovery was re..."
Page 48: ""Precisely. A fitting last jibe, eh?" Ubar spat ..."
Page 49: "The boy grinned broadly. "Really? I?"
"No..."
Page 50: ""Still," edged Ubar, "I feel I should thank you, s..."
Page 51: ""Neither did I expect the boy to cling to me after..."
Page 52: ""Meaning you are responsible for his... current co..."
Page 53: "Uncertainly, the boy lizard answered. "My master ..."
Page 54: "Before he could leap in a bluster out of bed, the ..."
Page 55: "His heart hastening its sluggish pace, Epsilon ret..."
Page 56: "With his free left hand, the Hero of Alcorde drew ..."
Page 57: "Blowing from his exertions, the valiant Hero of Al..."
Page 58: "Then Pandolyn charged past him, arrayed in gloriou..."
Page 59: "To which the second replied harshly, "Nun mul bun ..."
Page 60: "Warily, the two warriors regarded each other from ..."
Page 61: "The iron buckler came down hard across the Ritesma..."
Page 62: "Finally, Epsilon reared back to deliver the killin..."
Page 63: "One of the milts clutched at its throat, gargling...."
Page 64: "As he strode toward the granite building, Epsilon ..."
Page 65: "The boy might have blushed, had his stiff countena..."
Page 2: "Helmcleaver passed through the huge, hanging cloud..."
Page 3: ""Ubar?" groaned the Hero of Alcorde. "Who is Ubar..."
Page 4: "Blinking his bleary, half blind eyes widely open, ..."
Page 5: "Epsilon shrugged helplessly. "I shall take your w..."
Page 6: ""He was intended to slay your enemies, not I!"
..."
Page 7: "The Warfarer extended a halting hand to stop the r..."
Page 8: ""Seventeen," provided the boy. He turned to Pando..."
Page 9: ""Do not be petty, sir. Your beauty will not win B..."
Page 10: ""Then he must feel lighter for the experience, I s..."
Page 11: ""A grove perhaps, in comparison. Again, feel no s..."
Page 12: ""Why must I?"
"For the good of our conquest..."
Page 13: "The wizard was suspicious. "A look or a cut?"
..."
Page 14: "Turning in his seat, the Ritesman spat to the grou..."
Page 15: "Epsilon's hand snapped away from its task abruptly..."
Page 16: "Pandolyn snorted softly, as though this was the la..."
Page 17: ""Of course. Did you think his enormous vanity wou..."
Page 18: ""Word of his prowess and depravity swept through t..."
Page 19: "Epsilon paled and gasped involuntarily. "What?" ..."
Page 20: ""With this in mind, he initiated his new campaign ..."
Page 21: ""Just before dawn, the slaughter began. When it w..."
Page 22: "The Warfarer struggled to absorb all he had heard...."
Page 23: ""To label it lightly," Epsilon agreed morosely. T..."
Page 24: "Indeed, the boy-lizard made a gargling noise far b..."
Page 25: ""I did not mean to imply that I would not serve as..."
Page 26: "With that said, he called Helmcleaver away from fo..."
Page 27: "As if in answer to this unspoken question, Epsilon..."
Page 28: "Suddenly filled with a violent spirit, Epsilon dre..."
Page 29: "From there, they pushed on in silence, each broodi..."
Page 30: "Pandolyn smiled a toothy, reptilian smile and rumm..."
Page 31: "Eyestone of Bebblegeth, un-blinded orb,
wat..."
Page 32: ""There, the boy king was betrayed, as Vandegarte w..."
Page 33: "Ubar raised his eyes to the heavens and mouthed a ..."
Page 34: ""Yes, High Wizard. I have erred. Forgive me, Sir..."
Page 35: ""Indeed, for I have not heard it in many months!"<..."
Page 36: ""As I have said, the Lyres were his answer to Tall..."
Page 37: ""As soon as the first string was plucked, all with..."
Page 38: ""I do not believe that for an instant," interjecte..."
Page 39: ""I wager you have never tasted its like, even then..."
Page 40: ""Half-Royal, actually. On my father's side, as we..."
Page 41: ""So precarious was my position, that I feared bein..."
Page 42: ""It was the mages, you see, corrupt as they are. ..."
Page 43: ""This was the crux of my enlightenment, for it had..."
Page 44: ""When I told him what I had discovered, he paled s..."
Page 45: ""Correct." Ubar fairly purred his approval. "You..."
Page 46: ""For a time, at least. Oh, I held no delusions th..."
Page 47: ""Weeks and months passed after my discovery was re..."
Page 48: ""Precisely. A fitting last jibe, eh?" Ubar spat ..."
Page 49: "The boy grinned broadly. "Really? I?"
"No..."
Page 50: ""Still," edged Ubar, "I feel I should thank you, s..."
Page 51: ""Neither did I expect the boy to cling to me after..."
Page 52: ""Meaning you are responsible for his... current co..."
Page 53: "Uncertainly, the boy lizard answered. "My master ..."
Page 54: "Before he could leap in a bluster out of bed, the ..."
Page 55: "His heart hastening its sluggish pace, Epsilon ret..."
Page 56: "With his free left hand, the Hero of Alcorde drew ..."
Page 57: "Blowing from his exertions, the valiant Hero of Al..."
Page 58: "Then Pandolyn charged past him, arrayed in gloriou..."
Page 59: "To which the second replied harshly, "Nun mul bun ..."
Page 60: "Warily, the two warriors regarded each other from ..."
Page 61: "The iron buckler came down hard across the Ritesma..."
Page 62: "Finally, Epsilon reared back to deliver the killin..."
Page 63: "One of the milts clutched at its throat, gargling...."
Page 64: "As he strode toward the granite building, Epsilon ..."
Page 65: "The boy might have blushed, had his stiff countena..."
Chapter 11:
All the Kings Gold
Epsilon makes a powerful new enemy.
Page 1:
"Epsilon was up and standing beside the door, sword..."
Page 2: ""You said you had business to conduct this morning..."
Page 3: ""I think I do," he replied, accepting the paper. ..."
Page 4: "Epsilon cut him short with, "Blood! You are right..."
Page 5: "The slight man sighed in exasperation and counted ..."
Page 6: ""It is a grime of ages, and nothing to bring shame..."
Page 7: "Half Pint noticed his attentions, and informed, "T..."
Page 8: ""Nothing, citizen. Nothing it all." The Ritesman..."
Page 9: "Half Pint waddled after him as he spurred Helmclea..."
Page 10: ""It may be a long day, mate. You should save your..."
Page 11: "Epsilon reached for his helm and strapped it on qu..."
Page 12: "Arriving at the poorly constructed gateway, the Ri..."
Page 13: ""Is it? How unfortunate. I suppose I shall have ..."
Page 14: "The gatekeeper shook his head dourly. "I want no ..."
Page 15: "The Warfarer let his gaze and tone wax icy and let..."
Page 16: "So it was with obvious surprise that he received t..."
Page 17: "The stallion's footsteps sounded hollowly on the s..."
Page 18: "Epsilon sheathed his dagger with a soft curse. "H..."
Page 19: "Through gritted teeth, he growled, "Listen careful..."
Page 20: ""Be that as it may, you shall certainly suffer one..."
Page 21: ""Yes, indeed. Patrons of one sort or another," ca..."
Page 22: "Upon finishing these words, a strange thing occurr..."
Page 23: "Both to take his mind off the hallucination and to..."
Page 24: "For the briefest of moments, for but the span of a..."
Page 25: ""Of course," was all the Ritesman managed to say. ..."
Page 26: ""Now he has come to me." Dembar's Son stared up a..."
Page 27: "Epsilon stopped at a respectful distance from the ..."
Page 28: ""There you are, my familiar," cooed the mage, stro..."
Page 29: ""Excellent," enthused Dellas, offering up a bit of..."
Page 30: ""Now for the tricky part," he mused, turning it th..."
Page 31: "Dellas clucked his tongue and turned pale. "Who c..."
Page 32: ""She is a lizard lady, as I have said."
"Of..."
Page 33: "Suddenly angry, he stalked up to his spellbound vi..."
Page 34: ""I could not say without more information. What i..."
Page 35: ""No, nothing of the sort. I am a powerful mage, b..."
Page 36: ""If you are bound to die, Dellas Dembar's Son, do ..."
Page 37: "("...nunna nunna nunna...")
From a distant ..."
Page 38: "The stadium was filled with the roaring of an enth..."
Page 39: "...aka, aka, aka... nunna nunna nunna...
H..."
Page 40: "Despite the chaos of close combat, he managed to s..."
Page 41: "Before he could be pinned down with a lancing thru..."
Page 42: "Weakly, functioning on instinct alone in absence o..."
Page 43: "Weeping, Epsilon retracted his blade and fell to h..."
Page 44: "The fading Tau choked, "Remember... soulless you a..."
Page 45: "...when the arena and its babbling audience dissol..."
Page 46: "Then it began weaving delicate, hypnotic movements..."
Page 47: "One taloned claw settled harshly about his straini..."
Page 48: "The mage finished reading Pandolyn's scroll, and d..."
Page 49: "Dembar's Son continued, his tone verging on hyster..."
Page 50: "The Warfarer heaved a reluctant breath. "Still," ..."
Page 51: "Epsilon was aghast. "It is sheer madness! Chaos ..."
Page 52: ""They are all your little bastards, Dellas, and yo..."
Page 53: ""I am bound by Rit Merdian's spell only to sign ov..."
Page 54: "Epsilon chuckled blackly and whipped his sword awa..."
Page 55: ""I am perfect as I am."
The Ritesman scoffe..."
Page 56: "The mage squirmed and made a sour face. "Bah! Ta..."
Page 57: ""What difference, how they were taken? Suffice it..."
Page 58: "Quite suddenly, the mage fell silent and brooding...."
Page 59: "The little clerk was enraged, and leapt unexpected..."
Page 60: "Pushing through the heavily reinforced doors, Epsi..."
Page 2: ""You said you had business to conduct this morning..."
Page 3: ""I think I do," he replied, accepting the paper. ..."
Page 4: "Epsilon cut him short with, "Blood! You are right..."
Page 5: "The slight man sighed in exasperation and counted ..."
Page 6: ""It is a grime of ages, and nothing to bring shame..."
Page 7: "Half Pint noticed his attentions, and informed, "T..."
Page 8: ""Nothing, citizen. Nothing it all." The Ritesman..."
Page 9: "Half Pint waddled after him as he spurred Helmclea..."
Page 10: ""It may be a long day, mate. You should save your..."
Page 11: "Epsilon reached for his helm and strapped it on qu..."
Page 12: "Arriving at the poorly constructed gateway, the Ri..."
Page 13: ""Is it? How unfortunate. I suppose I shall have ..."
Page 14: "The gatekeeper shook his head dourly. "I want no ..."
Page 15: "The Warfarer let his gaze and tone wax icy and let..."
Page 16: "So it was with obvious surprise that he received t..."
Page 17: "The stallion's footsteps sounded hollowly on the s..."
Page 18: "Epsilon sheathed his dagger with a soft curse. "H..."
Page 19: "Through gritted teeth, he growled, "Listen careful..."
Page 20: ""Be that as it may, you shall certainly suffer one..."
Page 21: ""Yes, indeed. Patrons of one sort or another," ca..."
Page 22: "Upon finishing these words, a strange thing occurr..."
Page 23: "Both to take his mind off the hallucination and to..."
Page 24: "For the briefest of moments, for but the span of a..."
Page 25: ""Of course," was all the Ritesman managed to say. ..."
Page 26: ""Now he has come to me." Dembar's Son stared up a..."
Page 27: "Epsilon stopped at a respectful distance from the ..."
Page 28: ""There you are, my familiar," cooed the mage, stro..."
Page 29: ""Excellent," enthused Dellas, offering up a bit of..."
Page 30: ""Now for the tricky part," he mused, turning it th..."
Page 31: "Dellas clucked his tongue and turned pale. "Who c..."
Page 32: ""She is a lizard lady, as I have said."
"Of..."
Page 33: "Suddenly angry, he stalked up to his spellbound vi..."
Page 34: ""I could not say without more information. What i..."
Page 35: ""No, nothing of the sort. I am a powerful mage, b..."
Page 36: ""If you are bound to die, Dellas Dembar's Son, do ..."
Page 37: "("...nunna nunna nunna...")
From a distant ..."
Page 38: "The stadium was filled with the roaring of an enth..."
Page 39: "...aka, aka, aka... nunna nunna nunna...
H..."
Page 40: "Despite the chaos of close combat, he managed to s..."
Page 41: "Before he could be pinned down with a lancing thru..."
Page 42: "Weakly, functioning on instinct alone in absence o..."
Page 43: "Weeping, Epsilon retracted his blade and fell to h..."
Page 44: "The fading Tau choked, "Remember... soulless you a..."
Page 45: "...when the arena and its babbling audience dissol..."
Page 46: "Then it began weaving delicate, hypnotic movements..."
Page 47: "One taloned claw settled harshly about his straini..."
Page 48: "The mage finished reading Pandolyn's scroll, and d..."
Page 49: "Dembar's Son continued, his tone verging on hyster..."
Page 50: "The Warfarer heaved a reluctant breath. "Still," ..."
Page 51: "Epsilon was aghast. "It is sheer madness! Chaos ..."
Page 52: ""They are all your little bastards, Dellas, and yo..."
Page 53: ""I am bound by Rit Merdian's spell only to sign ov..."
Page 54: "Epsilon chuckled blackly and whipped his sword awa..."
Page 55: ""I am perfect as I am."
The Ritesman scoffe..."
Page 56: "The mage squirmed and made a sour face. "Bah! Ta..."
Page 57: ""What difference, how they were taken? Suffice it..."
Page 58: "Quite suddenly, the mage fell silent and brooding...."
Page 59: "The little clerk was enraged, and leapt unexpected..."
Page 60: "Pushing through the heavily reinforced doors, Epsi..."
Chapter 4:
Dragons and Dead Men
His first kill beyond the Wall.
Page 1:
"It would be a long, dark ride. A chill crept into..."
Page 2: "There, Epsilon stopped and turned the horse about ..."
Page 3: "The road curved away slightly to the east, then ba..."
Page 4: "As they thumped along, Epsilon noted the presence ..."
Page 5: "Epsilon could think of only one scenario that migh..."
Page 6: "Rounding the corner of the base, Epsilon noted unc..."
Page 7: "Drawing his horse to a slow walk as he neared, the..."
Page 8: "Epsilon was tempted to turn and glance behind his ..."
Page 9: "While the stranger yet leaned close, Epsilon raise..."
Page 10: ""I am no mercenary, sire, I am called Epsilon Thre..."
Page 11: "Andol made a tortured sound far back in a throat h..."
Page 12: "Epsilon answered softly, "They are all dead and go..."
Page 13: ""Your business beyond the ford, further along the ..."
Page 14: ""I would be honored to hear them, Lord."
"G..."
Page 15: "Epsilon decided he would not go that way, for fear..."
Page 16: "Having made his decision, Epsilon eyed the heavens..."
Page 17: "They reached the middle span. Here, the water was..."
Page 18: "This observation, more than anything else, convinc..."
Page 19: "As he completed this thought, the monster came und..."
Page 20: "It was all the time he would ever need. The bow s..."
Page 21: "When the monster began thrashing about again, the ..."
Page 22: "Sloughing his footgear was the greatest service he..."
Page 2: "There, Epsilon stopped and turned the horse about ..."
Page 3: "The road curved away slightly to the east, then ba..."
Page 4: "As they thumped along, Epsilon noted the presence ..."
Page 5: "Epsilon could think of only one scenario that migh..."
Page 6: "Rounding the corner of the base, Epsilon noted unc..."
Page 7: "Drawing his horse to a slow walk as he neared, the..."
Page 8: "Epsilon was tempted to turn and glance behind his ..."
Page 9: "While the stranger yet leaned close, Epsilon raise..."
Page 10: ""I am no mercenary, sire, I am called Epsilon Thre..."
Page 11: "Andol made a tortured sound far back in a throat h..."
Page 12: "Epsilon answered softly, "They are all dead and go..."
Page 13: ""Your business beyond the ford, further along the ..."
Page 14: ""I would be honored to hear them, Lord."
"G..."
Page 15: "Epsilon decided he would not go that way, for fear..."
Page 16: "Having made his decision, Epsilon eyed the heavens..."
Page 17: "They reached the middle span. Here, the water was..."
Page 18: "This observation, more than anything else, convinc..."
Page 19: "As he completed this thought, the monster came und..."
Page 20: "It was all the time he would ever need. The bow s..."
Page 21: "When the monster began thrashing about again, the ..."
Page 22: "Sloughing his footgear was the greatest service he..."
Chapter 8:
Lost Talismans Found Again
The three find Sin Apica's lost staff.
Page 1:
""Retrieve the Eyestone. We break camp." Epsilon ..."
Page 2: ""I will not. Er, eh, I mean I should not. In trut..."
Page 3: ""I beg your further patience, sir," pleaded Ubar. ..."
Page 4: "Epsilon returned to the doorway and stared out acr..."
Page 5: "Unseen behind the Ritesman's back, Ubar rolled his..."
Page 6: ""Is this a strange thing?"
"Most strange in..."
Page 7: "Ubar heaved an anxious breath. "My master is Rit ..."
Page 8: ""Then why should we make the journey? I cannot la..."
Page 9: ""I think not," and he eased a few finger's breadth..."
Page 10: ""What, by all gods holy and unholy, was that?"
..."
Page 11: "When a sound struck his ears from behind, he turne..."
Page 12: "Apparently jealous of its comrade's success, anoth..."
Page 13: "Presently, a soft radiance erupted in the cup of h..."
Page 14: ""What attack," returned the adept sharply? "That ..."
Page 15: ""I will try. The first thing you should learn is ..."
Page 16: "Ubar was abashed, and averted his gaze. "I am sor..."
Page 17: ""We have naught but time, it seems." Another carg..."
Page 18: ""Why the distinction? Undone is undone."
E..."
Page 19: ""Perhaps it may."
"Such are dreams dreamt b..."
Page 20: "Beware of words for words cast spells--
rea..."
Page 21: "Ubar had emerged from the stone hut to blink disbe..."
Page 22: "To which Ubar mumbled an inaudible reply. Epsilon..."
Page 23: ""What was a mere jetla doing with the Rod," querie..."
Page 24: ""No," replied the wizardess instantly. "No, Apica..."
Page 25: "Once she released it, the wizardess started chanti..."
Page 26: "The mat of serpent bodies seethed and boiled until..."
Page 27: ""Doubtless they are, but why do they hesitate to b..."
Page 28: ""There," erupted Ubar happily, "at the top of the ..."
Page 29: "Apica darted from one loophole to the next, but ea..."
Page 30: "This might have been the end of Sin Apica's trials..."
Page 31: "A blasted, wasted landscape greeted their eyes, an..."
Page 32: ""Providing we achieved and held the Table, our ret..."
Page 33: ""And? What then?"
"My very question of you..."
Page 34: "Epsilon smiled skeptically. "Hmm," he intoned tho..."
Page 35: ""Ach," groaned the boy lizard, "thank the gods tha..."
Page 36: "She accepted the bolt of cloth when it was handed ..."
Page 37: ""Oh, I do not doubt you, lady." He sauntered over..."
Page 2: ""I will not. Er, eh, I mean I should not. In trut..."
Page 3: ""I beg your further patience, sir," pleaded Ubar. ..."
Page 4: "Epsilon returned to the doorway and stared out acr..."
Page 5: "Unseen behind the Ritesman's back, Ubar rolled his..."
Page 6: ""Is this a strange thing?"
"Most strange in..."
Page 7: "Ubar heaved an anxious breath. "My master is Rit ..."
Page 8: ""Then why should we make the journey? I cannot la..."
Page 9: ""I think not," and he eased a few finger's breadth..."
Page 10: ""What, by all gods holy and unholy, was that?"
..."
Page 11: "When a sound struck his ears from behind, he turne..."
Page 12: "Apparently jealous of its comrade's success, anoth..."
Page 13: "Presently, a soft radiance erupted in the cup of h..."
Page 14: ""What attack," returned the adept sharply? "That ..."
Page 15: ""I will try. The first thing you should learn is ..."
Page 16: "Ubar was abashed, and averted his gaze. "I am sor..."
Page 17: ""We have naught but time, it seems." Another carg..."
Page 18: ""Why the distinction? Undone is undone."
E..."
Page 19: ""Perhaps it may."
"Such are dreams dreamt b..."
Page 20: "Beware of words for words cast spells--
rea..."
Page 21: "Ubar had emerged from the stone hut to blink disbe..."
Page 22: "To which Ubar mumbled an inaudible reply. Epsilon..."
Page 23: ""What was a mere jetla doing with the Rod," querie..."
Page 24: ""No," replied the wizardess instantly. "No, Apica..."
Page 25: "Once she released it, the wizardess started chanti..."
Page 26: "The mat of serpent bodies seethed and boiled until..."
Page 27: ""Doubtless they are, but why do they hesitate to b..."
Page 28: ""There," erupted Ubar happily, "at the top of the ..."
Page 29: "Apica darted from one loophole to the next, but ea..."
Page 30: "This might have been the end of Sin Apica's trials..."
Page 31: "A blasted, wasted landscape greeted their eyes, an..."
Page 32: ""Providing we achieved and held the Table, our ret..."
Page 33: ""And? What then?"
"My very question of you..."
Page 34: "Epsilon smiled skeptically. "Hmm," he intoned tho..."
Page 35: ""Ach," groaned the boy lizard, "thank the gods tha..."
Page 36: "She accepted the bolt of cloth when it was handed ..."
Page 37: ""Oh, I do not doubt you, lady." He sauntered over..."
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