Read Online Chasing the Dragon by Jason Halstead - Free Book Online

together, everyone," Alto said. "We'll take Patrina to the boat for now, but then don't venture anywhere in the city by yourself."
    "What about Namitus?" Carson asked.
    "Namitus will be able to find us," Alto said. "He knows this city better than any of us."
    Kar looked at Alto through lidded eyes. "You have a plan?"
    "It's not a plan, it's a list," Alto said. "A list of men I'm going to kill until I get the answers I need."
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
    Aleena watched a mountain fox stop and sniff the trail that led to their camp. The silver and red fur blended into his dark surroundings in the pre-dawn hours. She wouldn't have noticed him at all if he hadn't moved and pawed at a fallen tree, searching for something to eat.
    The sky had lightened as it neared the horizon in the east. The mountains would keep her from seeing direct sunlight for hours yet but she knew Celos would want to be roused soon. She fantasized of a few different ways she could wake him, from cold water to a boot in the side. Another thought came to her, one that made her gasp in surprise. She could wake him with a kiss.
    Aleena shook her head and turned away. The fox started and crouched low while his ears perked up. He looked around and sniffed the air, and then stared past Aleena along the trail they were on to the ridge ahead of him. A moment later, the fox turned and raced away, kicking up fallen pine needles with his haste.
    Aleena watched the fox go and frowned. Had she made that much noise? She'd learned to remain as still as possible in her armor to keep the noise it made from travel ing to a minimum.
    "Well , what's this?"
    Aleena twisted, all thoughts of stealth gone. She lurched to her feet and reached for her sword, her training making her react even though her mind was fogged with boredom. She saw a man wearing dark leather walking a brown horse that climbed over the ridge on the path. He stared at her as he walked but kept his hands clear of the sword at his side and the bow on his back.
    "Who are you?" Aleena demanded, speaking loud enough to wake Celos.
    "Who am I? Who are you?"
    Aleena stiffened. "Dame Aleena, Paladin of Leander."
    The man stopped. "I remember you," he said. "Thought you was a squire?"
    "I don't remember you," Aleena said.
    "Why would you? I was just a man at Highpeak, nobody special."
    Celos climbed to his feet from where he'd been sleeping and grabbed up his sword. He clipped his scabbard on his belt and walked over to see what was going on.
    The mountain man looked at him and nodded a greeting. "Remember you , too, but can't place your face with a name."
    "Sir Celos," Aleena said.
    "Yeah, that's it," the man grunted.
    "And you are?" Celos prompted.
    "Sorry, can't be too careful these days. Name's Ketten."
    Aleena and Celos turned their heads to look at one another. "We were looking for you," Aleena said after she turned back to face him.
    "Well, you found me," he said. "Pity, though. I've got a job these days. Don't have time to take any others."
    "What are you doing in the mountains?" Celos asked him.
    "You first," Ketten said.
    "No ." Aleena shook her head. "Why are you here?"
    "I live here now," Ketten said. "And you've got no right to be here."
    "No right?" Celos repeated. "We have every right!"
    Ketten shook his head. "'Fraid not."
    Aleena saw that her mentor was close to losing his temper. He wasn't a morning person and Ketten's surly attitude wasn't helping. "Last anyone in Highpeak saw of you, you'd taken a woman into the mountains. Have you built a home up here? Was that your wife?"
    Ketten laughed. "You could say I've found a home, but she was no wife."
    "Who was she? Is she all right?" Aleena asked while Celos stewed silently beside her.
    "Since you two got no right being up here and since you're so interested in meeting her, how about I take you to her?"
    "What?" Celos asked. "She's still here?"
    "She is," Ketten said. "And without me , you stand no chance of ever reaching her."
    Aleena frowned. "That's