Shades Of Dark

by Justin Sloan

  CONTENTS

  Dedication

  Legal

  Irth - The Lost Isles

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Author Notes - Justin Sloan

  Author Notes - Michael Anderle

  Social Links

  Series List

  DEDICATION

  From Justin

  To Ugulay, Verona and Brendan Sloan

  From Michael

  To Family, Friends and

  Those Who Love

  To Read.

  May We All Enjoy Grace

  To Live The Life We Are

  Called.

  Shades of Dark Team

  JIT Beta Readers

  Kimberly Boyer

  Joshua Ahles

  Paul Westman

  Alex Wilson

  Ginger Sparkman

  Kelly ODonnell

  Keith Verret

  John Findlay

  Erika Daly

  Thomas Ogden

  Melissa OHanlon

  If I missed anyone, please let me know!

  Editors

  Lynne Stiegler

  SHADES OF DARK (this book) is a work of fiction.

  All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

  This book Copyright © 2017 Justin Sloan, Michael T. Anderle, CM Raymond, LE Barbant

  Cover Design Cover Design by Damonza https://damonza.com/

  Cover copyright © LMBPN Publishing

  LMBPN Publishing supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact info@kurtherianbooks.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  LMBPN Publishing

  PMB 196, 2540 South Maryland Pkwy

  Las Vegas, NV 89109

  First US edition, 2017

  The Kurtherian Gambit (and what happens within / characters / situations / worlds) are copyright © 2017 by Michael T. Anderle.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Rhona sat at the edge of the water, staring west and wondering if they could ever truly be prepared to set foot on an island rumored to be covered in remnant and ghosts.

  It was bad enough that she’d be leaving Donnon and Kia behind, given that the remnant were starting to cause trouble even here. Then there was the invading force Master Irdin had told them about: a dark, secret society that meant to conquer these lands, as best they could figure. Oh, and they were powerful sorcerers, too.

  At least the land would be in good hands, since Donnon and his daughter had the ability to control fire.

  None of that would matter, though, if she and her brother could retrieve the Sword of Light from Sair Talem and return to unite the lands. For too long they had been at war, the paladins and the clans. For too long the King of Gulanri had left them to their own devices.

  Now all of that would come to an end, if only they could achieve their goal quickly.

  “So eager to be gone?” Donnon asked, stepping up behind her.

  She imagined him wrapping his arms around her, holding her and staring out at the setting sun with his lips gently pressed against her neck. The look in his eyes told her he had a similar idea, but they had agreed not to tempt themselves; not when she had to leave and he had to stay to unite the clans in the land’s defense.

  Neither wanted to be so emotionally attached that they would put their missions at risk, so she simply nodded with a forced smile while he licked his lips nervously.

  “When we return, everything will be different,” she finally said.

  “Aye, of course.” He nodded to the city walls. “Kia has fed the horses, and there is food in your packs.”

  “Thank you.” She got lost in his eyes for a moment, then turned, blushing. “If the sorcerers return while we’re gone—”

  “We’ll hold them off. I’ve sent riders to the nearest clans with messages for them and to pass on to the outlying clans. If nothing else, they’ll be ready. Best case scenario, we’ll hold our own with the paladins and stand united, even if we’re in hiding when the sorcerers arrive.”

  “Those damned paladins,” Rhona replied, shaking her head in frustration. “If they’d just listen to reason…”

  “A sentiment we’ve expressed for many years.”

  “Well…” Rhona sighed at the thought of the warrior order her brother had once belonged to; that she too, in some ways, had once belonged to. Taland and his wicked tongue—and she meant that in more ways than one—had spread his poison widely within the Order of Rodrick. As far as she was concerned, they were as much an enemy as the remnant at this point.

  “Leila was asking about that brother of yours. He seems to have run off.”

  Rhona chuckled. “Alastar is like a child who has never been to a bakery before. Suddenly he has access to cakes and tarts whenever he wants them, and can’t get enough.”

  “I’d say Estair is definitely more tart than cake, but yeah, I get your meaning.” Donnon flushed, and his eyes darted across her body before he looked away.

  She hadn’t meant the words to make him feel awkward, but if they were looking for Alastar, it was true that he was probably rolling in the clover near the river, likely somewhere hidden by the trees.

  “I’ll find him,” she offered.

  Donnon nodded, his eyes on the ground. “I’ll check on the provisions one last time.”

  He turned to go, but Rhona took him by the hand. Their fingers lingered, just barely touching each other, but with a heat that screamed for them to do so much more.

  “Be careful,” she said at last.

  “You too.” He paused, then lifted her hand and kissed the back of it before walking back to the village.

  Her heart was about to tear itself out of her chest, so she focused on those damned paladins and the sorcerers, and what a mess they had caused. Taland’s annoying, cocky smile flashed across her mind and she wanted to reach out and slap him, or better yet, unleash her nails across his face and scar his perfect skin.

  She found herself breathing heavily, and she realized that a purple light had begun to glow around her fingertips, causing shadows to move through the grass toward her.

  Happy thoughts, she told herself, trying to push the darkness away. If it weren’t for all of this, she never would have met Donnon, right? Or his daughter, Kia, whom she had only just gotten to know and already loved like a little sister, or maybe a daughter, though Rhona wasn’t nearly old enough for that.

  She remembered the moment they defeated the witch and sent Master Irdin into retreat, the moment she knew Kia was safe, and flushed with joy.

  When she looked again, the purple light was gone and the shadows had retreated. Shaking her head to clear it, she stood up and headed toward the trees to find Alastar, hoping she wouldn’t see anything that would
scar her for life.

  ***

  Alastar laid on his back and closed his eyes for a moment, reveling in the speckled evening sunlight that made its way through the leaves above to warm his nude body.

  Just yesterday he had been a paladin, chaste and pure. He would never have thought about lying with a clanswoman; he had considered all members of the clans his enemy.

  But tonight, Estair was lying beside him, breasts exposed to the evening air, and he felt like he was the luckiest man in the world.

  She opened her eyes with a moan, then turned to her side. She propped her head on one hand, moving the other to caress his chest.

  She giggled. “You have dirt on your cheek.”

  “I’m sure I have it in worse places than that,” he said with amusement.

  She hit him playfully. “Don’t be dirty.”

  He laughed out loud. “That’s a tough one, out here.”

  For a moment he just laid there, enjoying the way her fingers played across his skin. When she stopped, he noticed the distant look in her eyes. “What is it?”

  “You mean aside from us being about to ride off to our potential deaths?”

  He smiled. “Aye, aside from that.”

  “Isn’t that enough to worry you?”

  “No,” he replied. “Because I’ve seen what we’re capable of when we all work together. You kicked butt back there, and my sister’s magic is unlike anything I’ve ever seen; anything any of us have seen.”

  “And to think you used to be one of the people who would chop off a person’s head for using magic.”

  He frowned, pushing himself to a sitting position and rearranging his robes to cover himself. “That’s not fair. While I was a paladin, and still am, maybe… I don’t know. But I never once beheaded anyone.”

  “So you weren’t a very good paladin. Is that what you’re saying?”

  “You honestly believe that’s our sole mission in life? To kill magic users?”

  She sat up too, but didn’t seem to feel the need to cover herself. He appreciated that, though it made him feel strange about his own modesty.

  After a moment, she continued, “What I see is a group of men who believe they’re better than the rest of the world. They dole out their version of justice while putting magic users down. For that matter, why aren’t there any female paladins? Explain that, if you’re going to defend the order.”

  He frowned. “It…it’s not perfect.”

  “Yeah, no shite,” she said with a scoff.

  “And that’s why we’re changing the world together,” he offered, placing a hand on her leg.

  “Speaking of which…” She glanced at the horizon, orange with sunset. “One day of our rest is almost over.”

  “Do you feel rested?” he asked.

  “You have no idea.” She scooted over to lean into him, and he wrapped his arms around her. “For a man who claims never to have been with a woman, I’d have to say… Actually, I’d have to say you are lying.”

  “Ha. Lying is also against the rules of the Order of Rodrick.”

  “But if you were a liar, you’d be fine with lying about lying.”

  “You have a point.”

  She looked into his eyes. “Are you worried about what we’re riding into?”

  “Aye.”

  “Is Rhona really your sister?”

  “Aye.”

  She paused, then asked, “Am I the best lover you’ve ever had?”

  “Trick question. You’re the only lover I’ve ever had.” He paused, noting the way her eyes narrowed, and then laughed as he added. “But definitely the best.”

  “You pass. I can see you’re telling the truth.”

  He kissed her, then froze as he heard someone clearing their throat. When he looked up, Rhona was standing ten feet away, hands over her eyes.

  “Please, get dressed you two,” she said. “And brother, you’ve changed.”

  “I’ve seen the light, and I like the warmth,” he replied as he stood up, faced away from her, and began to dress.

  “It’s only natural,” Estair told her, standing but not bothering to reach for her clothes. “Don’t tell me you’re a prude like your brother here?”

  “Don’t say anything,” Alastar warned. “I really don’t know if I want to hear the answer.”

  Rhona removed her hands, then, seeing Estair, covered her eyes again. “Aye, well… Let’s just say I’m focused on the mission right now, and if this continues when we’re on the road, I’m going to kill somebody.”

  Alastar shared a concerned glance with Estair as he realized he hadn’t really thought about that. They’d be filthy out there, for one. The idea of going days without bathing and then being naked with a woman didn’t sit right.

  Apparently Estair was having similar thoughts. She looked away, and then started dressing without even making a joke on the subject. That’s how he knew she was concerned; usually she would make some crass comment, even when she was slightly uncomfortable. It seemed to be her way of dealing with touchy situations. But when she was to the point of not being able to joke about something?

  He realized with a gulp that he wasn’t getting any for a bit. Good thing he’d made this time count. And the time just after waking up, and the two times early that morning that had put them to sleep.

  Alastar knew he had been making up for lost time, but if he’d known he was making up for time he wasn’t going to get, he might have doubled up.

  “Wow, I didn’t mean to cast a blanket of gloom on this party,” Rhona said, hands now at her sides since both Alastar and Estair were mostly dressed. “But that’s more like it.”

  “You prefer it when I’m not smiling, sister?” Alastar asked.

  “I prefer it when your mind is focused on killing bad guys and finding the Sword of Light,” she replied. “Can you honestly say the last few hours have been spent in rest and preparation?”

  He thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. “If this is your long-winded way of saying we’re ready to ride, then let’s get to it. But the last thing I need—ever—is my little sister telling me what I should or shouldn’t be doing about my needs.”

  “And the last thing I ever want to discuss again is your needs, so…” She gestured toward the village. “Shall we?”

  “This is going to be a hoot,” Estair remarked, walking past Rhona.

  “It’s not supposed to be fun!” Rhona called after her. “We’re fighting to save lives!”

  Estair paused and turned back to say, “I’ve been fighting to save lives most of my life. If you don’t find a way to make it fun, you die of depression. The sooner you learn that, the better.”

  And that was one of many reasons Alastar liked her. He smiled as he watched her walk off, then saw his sister glaring at him with hands on her hips.

  “I think I prefer the old prudish you,” she told him. “So, the paladin oath… All that is out the window now?”

  He considered it. “I think it’s safe to say that the old way of being a paladin wasn’t working. It’s time I changed things up a bit.”

  “Fine, just do it where I can’t see or hear.” She turned to walk back to the village as well.

  He followed, weirdly wishing Donnon didn’t have to stay behind. He didn’t like the idea of his sister with someone any more than he imagined Rhona enjoyed finding him in the state she had. But if it would shut her up, he’d be happy to turn the other way and pretend nothing was happening.

  For now, though, he decided both women were right. He needed to focus on the mission ahead, while trying to find any way possible to ensure he kept it fun. Luckily, Estair would likely do plenty of the work in that regard for him.

  But whenever she couldn’t step up, he was committed to working on becoming a new man and a new kind of paladin. One who fought for the freedom and even the lives of those who couldn’t fight for themselves, and didn’t give a damn about the silly things the High Paladin had told him mattered.

  All
that mattered was the survival of the land and its people, as far as he was concerned.

  He was trailing behind the two women, just passing the village gate, when he spotted Leila nearby. Her eyes were black, hands moving in a circle as a ball of water rose out of the river and swirled around her, then turned into a small fairy that danced along her arm.

  It was a simple act, but one he found endearing. He walked over to her instead of continuing, careful to stand where she could see him.

  “I was under the impression that they only showed themselves as spirits or other beings to children,” he said, when it was clear she had noticed his arrival.

  Leila smiled and let the fairy dance away, plunging back into the water from whence she came.

  “That’s right,” she replied.

  “Then what was that?”

  Her kind eyes returned to their normal deep blue, smile lines heavy around them. “A woman can remember her friends, even if they never truly existed.”

  “Never truly…” He shook off the thought, then held out a hand, and as his eyes glowed gold, the light fairy appeared. She hovered before him, wings of moonlight-pure sparkling light fluttering, and then she flew around his head once before vanishing in a coruscating display that left light falling like sparks of a fire. “I don’t know. They act on their own, right? I mean, did you tell that spirit to make every move she did? Every flutter of her watery wings, was that you?”

  “You’d like to believe that light fairy isn’t simply your imagination, I see.” Leila stood and tilted her head as if talking to a child. “My dear Alastar, it’s a matter of your subconscious.”

  “My subconscious controls the spirit?”

  “When you aren’t specifically focused on it, yes,” Leila replied.

  “And you all are so sure…how?”