Hallis ended his life in the army without fanfare or thanks and disappeared from Paedwyn. He’d seen enough of war and was ready for a quiet life. Fennic’s death proved the catalyst that changed his mind. He’d missed too many precious moments by being out on campaign or suffering in the dead of winter in a foreign land. His beloved Chella deserved better. Years of loneliness had taken their toll on both, making them older than their years. One day, during her solitude there came a knock on the door. Chella made her way to the door and gently opened it. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked upon the bedraggled face of her husband. Hallis smiled weakly and embraced her with all his love. He was finally home. For twenty-three years he never left her side. And then, late one winter night, they went to bed and never woke up. Happy at last, the lovers died in each other’s arms, entering the afterlife hand in hand.
Three years after the battle at Aingaard, the adventurers gathered together in the tiny town of Fel Darrins. Dakeb had never been happier. He and Delin stood overlooking the small creek than flowed through the town.
“This is a fine day, my boy,” Dakeb told him through a mouthful of roast pheasant.
Delin agreed. He and Tarren had just been married. The sounds of celebration echoed through the streets and homes. Folk from all over Averon were in attendance, including a surprise visit from King Maelor himself. The people of Fel Darrins were overawed by the amount of such high and noble people in their quaint town. Elves, Dwarves and Men from all over had come to pay respects to the lovers.
“I wish Fennic were here,” Delin replied. “He would have liked to have seen this.”
“Some things are often beyond our control. Fennic saved us all with his courage. Never take that from his memory. I think even now he is watching down on us,” Dakeb said thoughtfully.
“I won’t.”
They were quiet for a time. Then Delin looked over and asked, “what do you think the future will bring, Dakeb?”
Much of the pain from the war was gone. Tarren had been relieved of her dark memories thanks to the mage. It took a great deal of effort, but he was rewarded not long before the wedding.
The old man clapped his hands on his knees. “Oh, I don’t know. Very hard to predict. The Fates may have a grand design, but they’ve never been inclined to tell me of it. All we can do is live day to day, mind our own affairs and ask for a long, healthy life. All that I think you are about to discover. There are a great many things I know nothing of, but I do know this. Your adventures across Malweir are over. Enjoy this life, Delin Kerny. You’ve earned it.”
Delin and Tarren went on to have three children. Aptly, they named their first son Fennic. He was the pride of their lives. All told they spent nearly eighty years together.
Fel Darrins was never the same again. Pilgrims came from all over to see the birth place of one of Averon’s greatest heroes. Taverns and inns sprang up. Monuments were erected. Roads were improved all the way to Alloenis. The population grew, rising dramatically in the span of a decade. Generations were born and passed and soon the world forgot about the events of King Maelor’s day. The tales of Phaelor and the cracked crystal of Tol Shere faded into legend.
And of Dakeb? Well, no one rightly knows. He simply stopped coming. They never saw him again. Many times through the years people came upon a wild looking old man in one place or another who disappeared as fast as he came. No one ever learned his name or found out where he went.
EPILOGUE
A lone man dressed in riding leathers and a light cloak urged his horse to a stop. He’d entered the forest a day ago and still hadn’t found what he was looking for. Exhausted and filthy, he practically cried when he saw his reflection in the silver stream babbling nearby. He’d been on the trail for almost a month, all because of a silly dream. He had no money left and was starting to feel dejected. He was also feeling foolish for following the whim of a dream.
The rider dunked his head in the cool water and instantly felt refreshed. He ran his hands through his wet hair, relishing the simple relief from the summer heat. His horse snorted, making the young man to look up in alarm. Three archers stood before him, bows drawn and ready to fire. He looked up in the hardened eyes of the Elven hunter and wondered if he was going to die.
“Why have you come into our lands? This is a secret way by which none shall pass. Who are you and why have you come?” the Elf asked harshly.
“My name is Braeden Kirth. I’m here because a dream told me to come and seek out a sword made of the finest silver,” he stammered, shocked and awed at the slender Elves that appeared out of thin air.
Easing the tension on his bow string, Celegon passed a wary glance to Derlith. Six hundred years after the destruction of Gren, it was happening again.
Table of Contents
ARMIES OF THE SILVER MAGE
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE
TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-EIGHT
TWENTY-NINE
THIRTY
THIRTY-ONE
THIRTY-TWO
THIRTY-THREE
THIRTY-FOUR
THIRTY-FIVE
THIRTY-SIX
THIRTY-SEVEN
THIRTY-EIGHT
THIRTY-NINE
FORTY
FORTY-ONE
FORTY-TWO
FORTY-THREE
FORTY-FOUR
FORTY-FIVE
FORTY-SIX
FORTY-SEVEN
FORTY-EIGHT
FORTY-NINE
FIFTY
FIFTY-ONE
FIFTY-TWO
FIFTY-THREE
FIFTY-FOUR
FIFTY-FIVE
FIFTY-SIX
FIFTY-SEVEN
FIFTY-EIGHT
FIFTY-NINE
SIXTY
SIXTY-ONE
SIXTY-TWO
EPILOGUE
Table of Contents
ARMIES OF THE SILVER MAGE
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE
TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-EIGHT
TWENTY-NINE
THIRTY
THIRTY-ONE
THIRTY-TWO
THIRTY-THREE
THIRTY-FOUR
THIRTY-FIVE
THIRTY-SIX
THIRTY-SEVEN
THIRTY-EIGHT
THIRTY-NINE
FORTY
FORTY-ONE
FORTY-TWO
FORTY-THREE
FORTY-FOUR
FORTY-FIVE
FORTY-SIX
FORTY-SEVEN
FORTY-EIGHT
FORTY-NINE
FIFTY
FIFTY-ONE
FIFTY-TWO
FIFTY-THREE
FIFTY-FOUR
FIFTY-FIVE
FIFTY-SIX
FIFTY-SEVEN
FIFTY-EIGHT
FIFTY-NINE
SIXTY-ONE
SIXTY-TWO
EPILOGUE
Armies of the Silver Mage Page 39