Read Online Deke Brolin Rhol by Doug Backus - Free Book Online Page A

muscular bodies. Their wings are so strong that they can fly great distances in a matter of moments. 
    “The only other colors visible on the Pegapires are their long graceful tails and their eyes. Their tails are jet black. Their eyes are a bright yellow. It is said that their eyes can hypnotize any creature that gazes into them. Their hypnotic power enables the Pegapires to attack their enemies effortlessly, and leave them standing, staring into emptiness for eternity. 
    “ The Pegapires lived in Tamon, which is a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. No man or woman has ever stepped foot in Tamon, except for a very few Lealians of whom one was my father. Tamon cannot be accessed by foot, only by flight. Over the years, many have tried to enter the Valley of Tamon, but they met their deaths from the freezing cold temperatures and unpredictable weather high in the mountains.
    “ My father once described Tamon to me. He said that the valley was lush and green, with abundant streams of crystal clear water. The streams flowed freely over small pebbles and sand, which always kept the water pure. Many Orler trees grew there protected from the ravages of people who would destroy them all, just for the chance of using their magical powers. I don’t know whether my father was exaggerating or not, but he claimed there was one Orler tree in Tamon that was over forty feet high. He said that tree kept the strain of the Orler trees alive. I have never seen an Orler Tree even a quarter of that size, but my father rarely joked about such things.”
    The conversation brought many memories of Jayden’s father rushing back to him , and it made him pause momentarily before continuing to describe the Pegapires for the boy.
    “The Pegapire s are ferocious fighters who have sharp jagged teeth which they use often in battle, swooping down over their enemy biting down, and carrying them high above the ground before releasing them to plummet to their death.  They are loyal only to those of good nature. Pegapires used to roam throughout Rhol in abundance. They had no natural predators, and rarely fell to enemies in battle.               
    “ When Solharn started the Great War in an effort to take over Rhol and defeat Queen Elissa many years ago, he was surprised at the loyalty the Pegapires had to the Queen.
    “ He was even more surprised by their ferocity and stamina in battle. After two years of steadily losing men to the Pegapires, it was said that he created the black plague specifically to eliminate them. The plague took its toll, and the Pegapires along with many inhabitants of Rhol suffered great losses. The Pegapires numbers dwindled from thousands to a few hundred and it was widely thought that they would soon be extinct.
    “ It was my grandfather, Corceran, who managed to save the last few hundred Pegapires. In his day, Corceran was the most powerful warrior in Leal. He fought many brave battles and he was admired throughout Rhol. Corceran’s bravery and skill soon came to the attention of Palto, who was one of the most respected warriors within the Pegapires ranks. Corceran and Palto were destined to fight together and soon became battle companions.
    “ It was in the Great War of Aura that the alliance between the Lealians and the Pegapires was forged. Corceran and Palto were engaged in a ferocious battle with Solharn. Together they had slaughtered hundreds of Solharn’s army. They were mounting a second attack, when Corceran looked behind him to see Palto lying motionless on the ground. Three Kaltaures were approaching Palto, and Corceran ran toward his friend. When he realized he wouldn’t make it in time, Corceran took his last three Orler arrows from his satchel and placed them on his bowstring.
    “ Firing them in one shot, the arrows found their mark ripping through the heads of the three Kaltaures, killing them instantly.  The lifeless bodies of the Kaltaures fell on top of Palto, and one of their