Read Online Draconis' Bane by David Temrick - Free Book Online

the typical blue shirt and grey trousers that
appeared to pass as a uniform here. This servant though had a gold
band around his right arm and wore knee high black leather boots.
His mustache was trimmed and well kept as was his hair, though it
was thinning. His hair was brushed back, shoulder length and was
the shade of autumn wheat. He smiled warmly as Tristan open the
door wider and stepped back to allow him entry.
    “Does my Lord require
the fire built?” The servant inquired politely.
    “What? Oh! Yes
please.” Tristan stammered.
    “Very well my Lord.”
He answered with a smile.
    Tristan sat back down
on the chair and thumbed the books anxiously as the servant busied
himself in front of the fireplace. The servant pulled out a taper
from a metal cup on the mantle of the fireplace and knelt in front
of the fireplace. He neatly organized the pieces of wood into a
rough house style construction and then lit the taper from a nearby
candle and started the fire.
    “Why do you call me Lord? ” Tristan asked as he continued to stare at the
books.
    “You are a Prince of
the Realm my Lord….” He replied as he busied himself in front of
the fireplace. “Is there another title you would prefer?”
    “Just Tristan
actually, I’m not very comfortable with this...royal thing.” He
admitted.
    “Very well, young
Master Tristan.” He replied as he stood up, looking slightly
confused.
    Behind him a merry
little blaze was growing, spreading hypnotically across the wooden
construction he’d built.
    “Would you like help
getting dressed for bed sir?” The servant asked.
    “No, I can dress
myself thanks.”
    “Very well Master
Tristan. Goodnight to you.” He said with a smile.
    “Goodnight.” Tristan
replied as the door closed. “Wait!”
    “Yes sir?” He
replied, sticking his head back into the room.
    “What’s your name?”
The young Prince asked.
    “Carl sir, I’m the
senior servant, if you require anything just ask for me.” He
replied jovially.
    “Thanks Carl.”
Tristan said quietly.
    Smiling, Carl closed
the door as he called out again; “Goodnight young Master.”
     
    Shaking his head as
the exchange Tristan pulled a blanket off of his bed and sat down
in front of the fireplace on a plush rug and stared into the depths
of the flames. To call this a strange day was something of an
understatement. Emotionally drained, he let his mind wander freely.
He still struggled to separate the nightmare from reality and he
was having a very hard time of it. Remembering simple things like
his surname for instance wasn’t improving his mood any. It seemed
like just moments ago he feared the beating of a lifetime and now
he was safe, whole and happy….despite his confusion.
    He began to doze in
front of the fire. Suddenly, his head snapped up when he heard
voices coming from his fireplace. The recognizable booming tone of
Kevin he could hear clearly, but there were three other voices he
couldn’t quite make out. He tried to focus his mind, as his father
had taught him, trying to tune out the crackling of the wood and
soft breeze playing across the drapes of his windows. He reached
out and focused his mind on the next room.
     
    “…do you make of that
Kevin?” His father asked.
    “I don’t know, he
seems to be physically fine, but he doesn’t seem able to remember
his life.” Kevin replied.
    “The trouble is
though son,” His mother interjected. “He does remember a life.
That’s why he’s not pushing and it’s important that we don’t push
him too hard either.” She paused and took a steadying breath before
continuing.
    “The only life he can
remember is that of a tortured child. He’s hurt, paranoid and
fearful. He imagines that at any moment his tormentors will burst
into the room and continue the abuse.”
    “So what do you
suggest we do m’Lady?” A strange male voice asked.
    “I suggest we put him
back into his real life. Let the memories come in their own time.
Until that happens we