Stalking Darkness

(Book Two of The Nightrunner Series)
by
Lynn Flewelling

Bantam Spectra, March 1997, 501 pp.
ISBN: 0-553-57543-0

Genre: Fantasy

Reviewed: 3/25/2003

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

Crossing the mountain pass...

Alec has one foot in the stirrup to mount when the mare shied again. Alec staggered awkwardly, pulling his foot free in case she bolted.

The move probably saved his life. He'd just gotten both feet on the ground when he caught a hint of motion out of the corner of one eye and instinctively flinched.

Something struck his left shoulder hard before he could turn, hard enough to knock him sideways. scrabbling backward, he tugged his sword free and got it up in time to make his attacker pause.

The ragged bandit held a club in both hands, grinning wolfishly as he circled for another strike. He was gaunt but sinewy, with a long reach behind the long club he wielded. Alec suspected he was overmatched, but that his sword had surprised the man, judging by the way he watched it, still not pressing attack.

"What do you want?" Alec demanded as the first shock of the attack passed.

The bandit gave him a nasty, gap-toothed grin. "What else you got?" he sneered, jerking a thumb down the trail. "We already got yer 'orse."

Alec glanced quickly in that direction and saw a harsh-faced woman leading his horse away.

"I have gold," Alec told him, ignoring the dull pain that ran down his left arm as he pulled his purse from his belt and shook it so the coins inside jingled. "You're welcome to it, but I need that horse."

"Did you hear the fine young gentleman's offer, me love?" the bandit exclaimed gleefully. "He wants to buy back his 'orse!"

The woman gave a listless shrug and said nothing.

"Give us the bag, then, and we'll shake on the bargain," the bandit offered, sidling closer.

Alec lowered his sword and held out the purse, as if he'd been gulled into the bargain. As he expected, the bandit immediately stuck at him. Jumping back, he blocked the blow and swung a slashing stroke that opened the front of the man's jerkin and some of the skin below.

"Bilairy's Collop, the little bastard cut me!" the bandit snarled in surprise. "Got teeth, have you, you whelp? I'll soon blunt 'em!" Gripping his club in both hands, he flew at Alec and swung another blow at his head.

Synopsis

Alec and Seregil continue living in Rhiminee while Alec perfects becoming a gentleman. They spent time taking thieving jobs as the Rhiminee Cat, one of Seregil's many roles. During their adventures, they find evidence of a traitor in their midst. The traitor is working for the Plenimarians and is planning on helping enemies to enter the city of Rhiminee without being detected.

When Plenimar finally declares war on Skala, Beka and her horse troops (Queen's Horse) are part of an advance front sent into Mycena to help fight. Mardus, Vargul Ashnazai, a necromancer, and Irtuk Beshar, a dyrmagnos, continue to look for Seregil and Alex, because of the wooden coin they stole in Wolde. Their plan is to make a special sacrifice to their god, the Eater of Death, Seriamaius so they can recreate the mystical Helm that Mardus will wear to rule the world.

An ancient prophecy talks about four people; the Guardian, the Shaft, the Vanguard, and the Unseen One or Guide, but is a little vague about what they must do. All they know is that they must all be together at a specific point at a special time. The only questions that remain are:

• Who are the four from the prophecy?

• Where must they go?

• When must they be there?

• What must they do?

Stalking Darkness by Lynn Flewelling is the second of the Nightrunner Series. This story takes place about two weeks after the end of the first book in this series, Luck in the Shadows. War is brewing between Plenimar and Skala, and Alec and Seregil get dragged into the thick of it. The main characters are: Seregil - a long-lived Aurenen thief and all-around rascal, Alex - Seregil's talented young apprentice, Micum - a human swordsman, Beka - Micum's daughter and lieutenant in the Queen's Horse, and Nysander - the mage who conducts the Watchers as the Guardian.

Review

When I picked up Stalking Darkness, I was quite happy to return to the wonderful world that Lynn Flewelling created in Luck in the Shadows. But unlike that book, the first three hundred pages kind of drag a little as Flewelling develops the plot.

We do learn more about Alec's background, which I found to be highly interesting. We also witness the blooming relationship between Alec and Seregil as Seregil realizes that he has fallen in love with Alec, who seems to be clueless to the situation. When Alec finds out, he is confused by his own emotions. The last two hundred pages fly by as the action gets hot and heavy.

Flewelling is constantly jumping to each of the main characters, always keeping the reader on the edge of their seat wondering what is happening to the other characters when the focus is not on them.

Flewelling's quick changes make for excellent storytelling in Stalking Darkness. I look forward to the next story in Traitor's Moon. 

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.