Read Online Dragon War: The Draconic Prophecies - Book Three by James Wyatt - Free Book Online Page B

pointing an accusing finger at Gaven. Rienne was there, tears streaming down her face, avoiding his eyes. Judges glared down at him.
    They had to understand, had to know, had to be prepared. “When the Eternal Day draws near,” he cried, “when its moon shines full in the night, and the day is at its brightest, the Time of the Dragon Above begins.”
    “Silence!” one of the judges shouted.
    He couldn’t be silent. He had to warn them. “Showers of light fall upon the City of the Dead, and the Storm Dragon emerges after twice thirteen years.”
    “Silence him,” another judge commanded.
    “Tumult and tribulation swirl in his wake!” Gaven shouted. “The Blasphemer rises, the Pretender falls, and armies march once more across the land!”
    “That’s enough,” the dwarf behind him said, and the club came down on his head. Darkness swallowed him.
    “Arnoth d’Lyrandar,” a judge’s voice intoned in the darkness, “please state your claim against the defendant.”
    “My son,” Gaven’s father said, “he is my firstborn, my heir. But he has failed me. He failed the Test of Siberys. He refused to assist me in my business and chose instead the life of a dragonshard prospector.” Light slowly grew in the darkness, outlining Arnoth’s body. “I waited twenty-six years for him to return to me, until I couldn’t wait any longer. Finally he came to me, but too late. I died that morning.” The light shone full now on Arnoth’s face, showing Gaven the flesh rotting away from his skull.
    “Guilty!” came a voice from the tribunal.
    A chorus answered, “Guilty as charged!”
    Darkness again.
    “Rienne ir’Alastra, please state your claim against the defendant.”
    “When we delved into Khyber together,” Rienne’s voice said from the darkness, “when we sailed with Jordhan, when we worked for your House together, we were partners. Equals. We fought as a team. You covered my back, and I covered yours. We don’t fight like that any more. You used to give a damn about me—you used to love me, and I don’t think you do anymore.”
    “Of course I do,” Gaven called. “Rienne!”
    “You left me here to die, Gaven. Here in the land of dragons. You abandoned me.”
    “I couldn’t—! They captured me—!”
    “Gaven?” Her voice was fading. “Gaven, help me!”
    “Rienne!”
    She was gone.
    *  *  *  *  *
    The kalashtar stood, staggered away from Gaven, and slumped against Cart, exhaustion etched onto his face.
    “What happened?” Aunn asked. “What did you see?”
    “I’d accept that chair now, if the offer is still open,” Havrakhad said.
    “Of course,” Aunn said.
    Cart helped the kalashtar around the desk to Kelas’s chair as Aunn waited, breathless.
    Havrakhad slumped into the chair and covered his face with his hands. “He carries many burdens,” he said, “along a twisting path.”
    Aunn’s thoughts jumped to the Labyrinth, and the demon he fought there after leaving Maruk Dar. He looked at Gaven. Was a similar battle raging inside his mind?
    “I don’t understand,” Cart said.
    Havrakhad wiped his face and dropped his hands to his lap. “Something has trapped him, imprisoned him in a maze of his own thoughts. There his guilt, his shame, and his fear can prey on him, devouring his spirit. I tried to break through the maze, to find him and lead him out, but there were too many obstacles. Too much darkness.”
    “You have to try again,” Aunn said, a sudden urgency seizing him. “If the darkness takes him—”
    “I will try again,” the kalashtar said. “In a few hours. I must rest.”
    “We all could use some rest,” Ashara said.
    Cart shrugged. “I’m fine,” he said.
    *  *  *  *  *
    A distant light appeared in the darkness, dim and flickering, like a beacon calling him home. Gaven tried to lift himself from the ground and move toward it, but he was mired in mud and filth. It took all his strength just to lift his head, to see the light a little