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

Gareth. "We are ready," Aleena said.
    Celos turned and inspected his horse. His eyes went to his own pack secured to his steed, complete with the mace jutting from it. He nodded. "Thank you," he offered.
    Aleena smiled and turned back to Ketten. "Will we have any trouble with the trail?"
    The guide shook his head. "Keep an eye to the ground and you should be fine," he said. "It's narrow at parts but not so bad Her Highness and I couldn't make it through on our horses."
    " Lead the way," Celos bade him. "I'm anxious to speak with this queen of yours."
    "As, I'm sure, she will be to speak with you."
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
     
    The trek through the city carrying Patrina didn't end until the sun began to crest the ocean in the east. Alto carried her the entire way, though his arms and back screamed at him long before they reached the kelgryn ship, the Kraken .
    Taldar, the ship's captain, rushed through the sleeping bodies of the crew on the deck of the longship. "What's happened?" he asked, his face white with fear.
    "Patrina's been poisoned," Alto said. He shook his head, spraying the sheen of sweat that dripped across his face. "We need to find a cure for it but she needs to be left someplace safe. This is the only place I trust."
    "Every man on this boat will give his life before she's allowed to be touched," Taldar swore. "We failed you once, Thane ; it won't happen again."
    Alto nodded and took Patrina into the small cabin that had been built on the deck for her. He placed her on her bed and sat down next to her, and then ran his fingers across her cheeks and lips. Karthor's magic had healed the cut on her arm but the poison that raged in her system even Leander's blessing couldn't mend.
    Alto leaned over and brushed his lips against hers, remembering the kisses they'd shared before the Stalkers attacked. "I'll find help," Alto whispered into her ear. "You saved me ; now it's my turn again."
    He rose up, grimacing at the heat in the room and how cramped his muscles still felt. He stretched his neck and walked out, pausing only to stare at the room and then Captain Taldar. "You might want to leave the door open," Alto suggested. "Or at least a window. It's stifling in there."
    Taldar frowned and looked at Alto, and then into the dark cabin. "It's been a cool night. The heat's only just beginning to come with the sun."
    "You look flushed . Are you feeling all right?" Carson asked the warrior.
    "Just warm," Alto said. "Thirsty , too. Where's my water?"
    "Here," Taldar said as he stepped aside. "Here's a barrel."
    Alto stepped over, his legs stiff from the cramping in them. He took the cup floating in it and drank deeply, and then returned it and drank twice more. "That's better," Alto said. "But I still feel parched."
    "Karthor!" Kar snapped as he stepped up to Alto. "Come have a look at our fearless leader."
    "What's wrong?" Karthor asked as he moved between bodies on the ship so he could approach Alto. The priest frowned and reached up to touch Alto's sweaty forehead. He shook his head. "You've a fever."
    "Oh," the warrior said. "That explains it."
    "Explains what?" the priest asked.
    "Thirsty and my arms and legs are cramped up."
    "Alto," Kar spoke sternly and forced the young man to look at him with his gaze alone, "did those Stalkers cut you at all?"
    Alto shook his head. "No, I don't think so. I'd have felt it."
    "I was there," Carson said. "He killed the one and the other tried to get at him but I ran him through before he could do anything."
    Alto frowned and swayed on his feet. He shook his head, sending more droplets of sweat flying. "Wait, my pants!" He tried to twist around and look at his pants but a sharp pain from a cramping muscle in his back stopped him.
    "They look fine to me," Carson said from behind the warrior. "What about them?"
    "I felt a tug, then you killed the man."
    "His dagger was nowhere near you," Carson said. "He reached down to grab at you, but his dagger was above him. I killed him before he