![]() The entire hall was jammed elbow to elbow with the combatants whose object was to destroy as much fish, mutton, and fowl as possible. The most popular contest was held in Brandstok hall. When all the legal affairs were settled, the feasting and contests began. Valsidur opened up the great hall and its cellars, and the kitchens were as hot as forges with continuous roastings and stewings and seethings. The Thing was the traditional meeting of the Sciplings to settle lawsuits and feuds and to arrange weddings and divorces. The great tree that grew in the center of the hall, spreading its limbs over the black thatch, was the same one that had sheltered Valsid seven centuries ago on his first night on the shores of Skarpsey-or so it was said. The doorposts that he had cast overboard to guide him to a homesite now formed the doorposts of the Brandstok hall. In the midst of this plenty and contentment, the Midsummer Thing was held as usual at Valsidsness, where the participants had tented their booths for seven centuries, dating from the landing of Valsid the Kling-Bearer at Valsidsness. In Shieldbroad the placid Codfirth had broken up on schedule and the fields and flocks were more prosperous than ever, from the least peasant farm to the numerous upland shielings of Valsidur. It was unfortunate, but after all, it was none of their business that all the fjords and creeks and lakes in the Northern Quarter had stayed frozen all summer and the sun never warmed enough to bring the green to the land. After a quick peek inside, Valsidur's retainers rode home again as fast as their fat, sturdy ponies could carry them. There was indeed a huge cave at Ramskell and a local legend about the troll that was seven hundred years old, but there was no troll to be found. Valsidur of Shieldbroad, chieftain of the rich Western Quarter, secretly sent a delegation to bargain with the troll, certain that gold would soothe any grievance. The Ramskell troll was generally blamed for the Year of the Blight, although Sciplings hadn't bothered to believe in trolls for nearly a hundred years. Map by Chris Barbieri Cover art by Robert Florczak ![]() Manufactured in theUnited States of America First Edition: May 1980 Fourth Printing: December 1985 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 79-91716 ISBN 1-1 Boyer All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.Published in theUnited States by Ballantine Books, a division of Random House, Inc.,New York, and simultaneously inCanada by Random House of Canada Limited,Toronto. ADel Rey Book Published by Ballantine BooksĬopyright © 1980 by Elizabeth H. Whirling around, he saw a glow bobbing toward him and heard the racket of many feet approaching. Then a distant clamor came from the back of the room, and Kilgore realized there was a tunnel behind him. The figures backed away for a whispered consultation. With one stroke, the magic blade of Kildurin shattered two swords. Then all five attacked with a clashing of swords. He also saw five crouching figures lined up against the door, their eyes flinty with hatred. ![]() In the semi-darkness, he saw a rude little room of beaten earth, not quite as nice as a troll hole. Kilgore leaped to his feet, drawing the humming sword. Boyer LAIR OF THE DARK ELVESĪs the door fell inward, Kilgore felt hands grasp him and yank him inside before he could shout a warning.
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