Read The Coastal Kingdoms of Olvion: Book Two of The Chronicles of Olvion for Free Online Page B

that was so prized by the Vikings of earth.  Taggart’s family had been able to trace their own lineage back to those old world raiders. 
    Taggart raised the jug in a quasi-toast and took a long, satisfying gulp.  Memories came flooding back to him as the liquid slid down his throat leaving a satisfying warmth in its path.  There was little conversation as the jug made several circuits of the fire pit.  Even the two boys took small sips under the eye of their father.  Markh was just about to take a third taste when the ladies came out of the house.  Mattus snatched the jug from his youngest son’s hands and quickly shoved it at Taggart.  The warrior’s face then assumed an innocent expression as he pretended to stretch.
    Summ took a chair by the fire, pretending she didn’t notice that her youngest smelled of sween.  She straightened her clothing and put her hand on her husband’s arm.  As Lonn and Toria settled into their own chairs it was Toria, not surprisingly, who brought up the subject about which everyone was thinking.
    “Are you The Legend?”
    Mattus shot his daughter a warning glare, but Taggart found her honesty and lack of pretension to be endearing.  He poked a smoldering stick into the flames and looked at each of them as he spoke.
    “That, my new friends, is a question without an answer.  The old stories and books tell of the Legend coming out of nowhere and helping King Ausloe to defeat the Grey Horde many years ago.  What happened to him after that is a mystery.  It was said that he would return when needed and he was needed two seasons past.”
    Seeja had just finished a quick sip from the jug and offered it to Taggart.  He waved it past and Seeja handed it to Mattus.  Taggart resumed his musings.
    “I fell asleep in another world and woke up here as the new invasion of Greys started descending from the mountains.  I have no explanation as to how that happened.  I know you have a thousand questions about it and so do I, but there are no answers.  One moment I was in that world, and then I was here.
    Toria scooted her chair closer and leaned in as far as she could without straining the boundaries of good manners.
    Taggart leaned back a bit.  The flames painted shadows on his face as he continued talking.  “When I awakened I was cold, naked, hungry and very much afraid.  An incredible animal found me and became my friend.”
    “Tinker, the white Mountain Child!” Toria jumped up as she spoke the words, unable to contain her excitement.
    Taggart nodded.  “Indeed.  She became my protector and my teacher.  Her wonderful abilities allowed me to speak to the people of Olvion and them to me.  I became friends with King Zander, Lord Ruguer and many wonderful and noble warriors of Olvion.  We fought against the Greys in the great valley outside of the city.”
    Here Taggart stopped and turned his face from the fire for a moment.  The other people at the circle gave him a moment of respectful silence.  Eventually he turned back and gestured for another sip of sween.  When he finished with the jug he continued.
    “With my own eyes I saw King Zander pulled from his mount and killed when the Grey King sprung a trap upon us.  Myself and several others fought to get to his side, but we were driven away.  Then I saw Lord Ruguer, the Sword of the King, torn from his saddle.  Thousands of Greys came sweeping down out of the bluffs into the valley and drove us back.  They had been hidden there by the Grey King who had been advised by a silver Mountain Child.  We were exhausted after hours of combat and had nothing left to give.  Thousands of us, including myself, were struggling to reach the safety of our walls as the enemy that had been hidden up in the bluffs massed for a final assault.”
    Taggart leaned back in his chair and poked at the embers with a new stick.  The others gave him the time he needed.
    “Then, as we all fled for the safety of the city walls we saw one