BOOK ONE OF THE PLAINS’ KNIGHT TRILOGY

PROLOGUE

He stretched his arms, exing his muscles as he lookedaround and wondered where he was. As he racked hisbrain, he couldn’t remember where he’d been, nor how he’dgotten here. It was, he concluded, a most disturbing feeling.He vowed to do something about it quickly.Looking around, he surveyed his surroundings.

This is not home!

He could see…trees? No, wait. That was…. Grass. Yes, that was it.Grass!Grass? But how could that be? No one of his kind hadseen grass for many thousands of years. None of his kindhad been anywhere near anything even

resembling

grass inall that time. He continued to look around, drinking in hissurroundings.

If there’s grass, there is also… life!

He sighedponderously. He didn’t even remember how long it had beensince he had been around so much life. He inhaled deeply,and he could smell the scent of so much life all around him.It was, he admitted, quite…. intoxicating.

How did I get here?

How did I leave my home and come to this place? How have I left the embrace of Lord Grummish?

His vision was blurry, and seemed to be taking forever toclear. He relaxed, and let the fragrances of this place bringhim a feeling of bliss that he had not felt since…..A voice cut through the haze. “Do you know where youare, Great One?”

His eyes snapped open.

Mortal!

But where? He lookedaround. “Somewhere where I can end your pitiful existence,puny one.” He looked about and saw the one who spoke tohim.

So small!

He started to march over toward the mortal,ready to grab it and eat it, the rst chance to satisfy hisbloodlust after so many centuries. He could already tasteit —such tender, succulent mortal esh. He was dizzy withanticipation as his claws extended with a

schnik.

He was then stopped by a force, magical in nature —and powerful. He slammed against the invisible wall,bellowing rst in frustration that sharpened quickly intopain, bursting into red hot rage as the small mortal startedto laugh at him. “You can not get past my barrier, GreatOne. Not without my help, at least. I assure you, it is foolishto try. I have spent many moons practicing this spell, andLord Grummish himself has granted me the boon which Ihave used to complete it.”Frustrated, he stood back, considering his options. They were, he realized after much thought, rather limited. Werethis shaman not here, this barrier not present, even oneso seemingly skilled in the arcane arts would not pose achallenge to him. But now, as it was….He was a killer. He knew that, and it was obvious thepuny mortal who had summoned him did so as well, or it would not have taken such great precautions to prevent hisescape.

But he was so close!

A growl rumbled up from deepin his belly as he bared his fangs, barely able to suppressa roar of frustration. The mortal’s laughter only made thesituation more intolerable.Gradually, he allowed his claws to retract, and satdown. He realized that he could wait. Unlike the mortal who had called and trapped him, he had no need of rest or

sleep, and could wait weeks between meals. He told the tinylittle thing as much.“Oh, I’m sure you’re right,” it said, a sneer on its face.“But I have kin. They can relieve me. And before long, thesmells of this plain will drive you mad with anticipation,and then you will be mine to command.”He laughed at that. Such…. effrontery amused him. “Idoubt that, eshy one. I seriously doubt one of your kindcould ever outlast me. ““Perhaps, Noslium-Amnorach. Perhaps.”

It knows my name! How could this be!

He tried to controlhis surprise. This mortal had too much control over him if it knew his name. He must be cautious. He spread his arms wide. “Perhaps, little mortal, I spoke too soon. It is obvious your power is great, or you could not have called me here.Why have you done so?”A half smile crossed the mortal’s face. “To serve me.”“Serve you? I serve no one but the Lord Grummish! I amhis to command!”“Perhaps, perhaps. But service to me has rewards as well, Great One.” The mortal paused. When it started tospeak again, he could tell it was being less than truthful with him. Then again, it did appear to have the upper hand,so he would have to play along — at least for now.“Tell me,” the mortal continued. “When was the last time you walked this land?”“Many, many turnings of the moon ago. Longer thaneven I can remember