Read Online Clutch Of The Cleric (Book 4) by Craig Halloran - Free Book Online Page A

the glory ?”
    “Well, uh…” I rubbed the back of my head. “It’s just, I wouldn’t want you to endanger yourself on my account.”
    She rolled her eyes. “You men wouldn’t make it through the day without us women,” she said. “How old are you?”
    “Old enough to know that.”
    She didn’t say anything for a moment. “Nath,” she said, still rubbing my arm.
    She was trembling inside. I could feel it.
    “Truth is…” She swallowed, looked me in the eyes. “I was terrified. I don’t know how I did it. I just did.” She squeezed my arm. “My heart starts beating like a rabbit just thinking about that. Did I really do that, Dragon?” She looked forward at the Ettins. “Those things are huge.”
    Now I was laughing.
    “What are you laughing about?”
    “Nothing,” I said.
    “Tell me, Dragon.”
    “Alright, it’s just an old saying is all .”
    “And the saying is?”
    I took a breath. “Little women make big men stumble.”
    “That’s it?” she said. “That’s not so bad.”
    “Well, that’s not all of it, but that’s all that applies in this case,” I said, trying to pull my Dragon arm away.
    She held firm. “I want to hear the rest of it.”
    “Loud women make a boastful Man grumble. Pretty women make all men bumble. Wise women make a proud Man humble.”
    “Hmmm,” she started, “I think I like the last part best. Is that a song?”
    I nodded.
    Her eyes brightened. “Can you sing, Dragon?”
    I shrugged.
    “Really,” she said, “please sing for me. I love singing. I sing all the time but sometimes Bayzog has to quiet me down.”
    “Why don’t you sing then ?” I suggested.
    “You first,” she said.
    “Well, it’s been a while, but I think I can remember a few verses.”
    Yes, I could sing. Dragon music was the oldest in Nalzambor, and I knew many songs. Long as rivers. Ancient as the oldest forest. Songs men and women had never heard and never would hear. It had been so long I wasn’t sure I could do it anymore. I could try something in Common at least. I cleared my throat.
    Sasha’s eyes brightened.
    “In the meadow, the Dragons play, their scales sparkle—huh?”
    “Why’d you stop, it sound ed so—”
    “ Sssssh,” I said. I could hear something. Horse hooves coming our way.
    “What is it?”
    “Not what, but who. Yah!” I galloped off.
    “Where do you think you’re going, Dragon?” Brenwar said.
    I kept going. Racing up the hill, leaving the Legionnaires and Ettins far behind.
    A lone figure on a horse rode over the crest. It was Bayzog , with a woman draped over his horse, sleeping, I hoped. “Dragon! Thank goodness I’ve found you!”
    Brenwar had come too. We rode right up to one another. Formed a triangle of horses.
    “Are you alright, Elf?” Brenwar said. “Where’s the big belly?”
    Bayzog took a breath. “He’s a couple leagues back. Dragon, I’m sorry. He was fighting with an Ettin .”
    “Who is she ?” Brenwar said.
    “One of the villagers , I assume. We were close. She escaped and the Ettin came after her.”
    “Bayzog!” Sasha said, riding right up to him. “Are you alright?”
    “I’m fine, Dear. It’s Shum I’m worried about.” Bayzog’s stern face was wracked with grief. “I left him. The horse wouldn’t stop and I, I couldn’t leave the woman.”
    “Shum can handle himself, I ’m sure, Bayzog. Come on, Brenwar,” I said.
    “Come on? Hah, I’m already going, Yah!”
    “Bayzog. Sasha. Stay with the Legionnaires. Help them keep an eye on those Ettins.” I snapped my reins and off I went.
    ***
    There’d been a battle alright. An Ettin was face first in the ground, dead as a stone. There was no sign of Shum.
    “Took an Ettin all by himself,” I said, looking at Brenwar. “Pretty impressive , you have to admit.
    Brenwar kept his arms folded across his chest. “ Humph. It probably died laughing at his belly.”
    “Brenwar,” I said , “would it kill you to give an Elf some credit?”
    “Don’t know.