Jacob Gowans - Secrets of Neverak

All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Visit us at ShadowMountain.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gowans, Jacob, author.

Secrets of Neverak / Jacob Gowans.

pages cm (A tale of light and shadow ; book 2)

Summary: Henry Vestin, along with his sister and his friends, continues the quest to save Isabelle, the woman he loves, from the clutches of the Emperor of Neverak, whose plans for war draw ever closer.

ISBN 978-1-60907-978-9 (hardbound : alk. paper)

1. Kings and rulersFiction. 2. Fantasy fiction. I. Title. II. Series: Gowans, Jacob. Tale of light and shadow ; bk. 2.

PS3607.O8963S43 2015

813'.6dc232014040882

Printed in the United States of America

Publishers Printing

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Art direction: Richard Erickson

Cover design: Sheryl Dickert Smith

Production design: Kayla Hackett

Cover photo: Butch Adams Photography

Models: Urban Talent Management

Background front cover Unholy Vault Designs/Shutterstock.com and Sylphe_7/Thinkstock/iStock

Background back cover Lukiyanova Natalia/frenta/Shutterstock.com

For Jake, my little hero

Prologue

The Old Woman

With my room situated directly above the tavern hall of the Silver Nugget, it often seemed that there was no floor at all between myself and the other guests. I heard each belted laugh, each slammed mug, and each roll of the dice with perfect clarity. I rested my head on my pillow for nearly an hour before giving up on sleep. Rather than waste time, I got up and lit the dry logs under the hearth. By the light of the fireplace and a few candles, I reviewed my papers from earlier in the evening.

Before long, I found myself jotting down notes and adding in details that I had not had time to write during the storytellers dictation. The night wore on, and I grew more engrossed in my work. During the twilight hours, the din underneath my room died down as the guests returned to their homes. I continued to read, marking the manuscript here and there, stopping only to refill my ink or add a log to the flames. At times I felt as though the old storyteller sat in the room with me, dictating the words anew.

I did not stop at the break of dawn. Something drove me to complete the tale while everything remained fresh in my mind. A knock came to my door as the first rays of dawn shone down on my table.

My heavens, Mr. Freeman, Benjamin Nugget, owner of the establishment, said. Have you been awake all night?

Sleep has abandoned me. To what do I owe your visit?

Breakfast! Nugget said with a smile and a booming laugh.

As hungry as I was, I turned him down politely. I couldnt afford to let anything distract me, and I wasnt certain I could afford the meal, either. Sometime after midday, when I finally reached the last page of the story, I set it aside with a sigh and stumbled to my bed. In an instant, I fell into a deep slumber.

When I awoke, the light of day had all but vanished. The storyteller would be returning soon to continue his tale. I sprang from my bed, threw on my clothes, and grabbed my writing supplies. I came quite close to breaking several ink bottlesand my neckwhile running down the stairs. When I entered the tavern hall, I could scarcely believe the crowd. Every seat was filled, and more people stood against the walls. The noisy din sounded like a lions roar.

I spotted Benjamin near the kitchen, watching with misty eyes as customers poured in and ordered food and drink. At the current rate, there wouldnt be enough room to fit everyone inside, standing or sitting.

Good evening! Benjamin said as I approached him. A fine night, isnt it? He rubbed his hands on his apron and offered me a handshake. How was your room?

Very comfortable, I told him. And clean.

Of course, was his answer. My wife used to clean the rooms when we first built the tavern, but now I have hired help for that.

No doubt. And after tonight, you can afford to hire a king to clean your rooms.

The mistiness in Nuggets eyes grew and he smiled widely. This may be the smartest decision Ive ever made. Did you finish your work?

I did.

Are you hungry? he asked.

In time, but at the moment I require something more urgent.

Anything for a customer.

Last night, when I arrived, the crowd wasnt a fourth this size, and I had no troubles finding my own table to sit and work. But Im afraid I overslept and... I nodded to the room, my hands filled with paper and ink bottles.

Benjamin leaned back on his heels. Yes, that is a problem. How much are you willing to pay?

What do you mean?

I doubt anyone will give up a seat for free tonight. You may have to stand against the wall for the eveningunless you can pay.

My last coins were spent arriving here last night.

Relax, Mr. Freeman! Nugget laughed. It was a jest. Give me a minute to find you a place.

Nugget darted around the tables and spoke to several patrons, most of whom responded by shaking their heads. The excited chatter and laughter was too noisy for me to hear any conversation. I swallowed, wishing I had a least a coin or two in my pocket. Perhaps Benjamin would allow me to sit on the floor and spread out my papers.

Benjamin returned, wiping sweat from his brow. Youre a lucky young man. Theres a woman over thereprobably older than Atolas itselfand shell let you sit by her. Her friend couldnt make it.

I followed Benjamin into the thick crowd. Wisps of pipe smoke parted around us. The smell of packed bodies, ale, and food was pervasive. I clutched my papers and ink tightly to my chest and said a silent prayer of thanks followed by a solemn oath to avoid this sort of tardiness again.

Benjamin had not lied. The woman was little more than skin, bones, and a nest of white hair on the crown of her head. She wore a lovely dress, though, and had a hearty meal sitting in front of her. She smiled when she saw me, making her wrinkled face even older, but not unkind. I returned the smile and accepted the seat across from her. It was as close to the tiny stage as I could have hoped for.

Thank you, I said loudly as I spread out my papers.

Youre welcome, she answered, her eyes bright and cheerful. Im glad for the company.

Consider me in your debt. I feared Id be sitting on the roof trying to hear through a hole in the ceiling.

She laughed genuinely.

I didnt see you here last night.

I was in the back. My knees arent what they used to be, but I wouldnt miss the story. Not this one.

My stomach growled so loudly that we both heard it.

She smiled and pushed her plate toward me.

Oh, no, thank you. Im here for work rather than pleasure.

Yes, I can see. She looked at my papers and then pushed her plate even closer to me.

With her permission, I ate with as much sense of propriety as I could in my famished state. She watched me eat as though she, too, could remember being so ravenous. From time to time, she fidgeted with her hair and her clothes. It reminded me of my older sister fiddling with her gowns before heading to a banquet. Before I could remark, a hush fell over the tavern hall.