Read Online (Dragonkin) Dragon Rider by C.E. Swain - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: C.E. Swain
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how did this warrior elude them? When all of the lights were out, and the residents were asleep, he would ride from the town with haste. Avren needed this news as soon as possible, and he was far from here in the northeast. It would take weeks to reach him and give him the news, but Rylee knew that he would be hunted down and killed if he did not. Avren knew things he should not know, and Rylee feared him. Those who crossed him were tortured, and then killed, in gruesome executions designed as a deterrent to others with similar ideas.
Cutting across the countryside to better go undetected and to make better time, Rylee rode as fast as he dared, pushing his mounts hard, and running them almost to death. When his horse gave out from exhaustion, and could no longer run, he traded it for any that he found along the way. The animals he left behind as he worked his way north meant nothing to him. They were no more than tools to be used as he wished, and what happened to them when he was done, did not concern him. Getting to the camp where Avren was, did.
*****
Avren sat back in his chair, and looked at the man in front of him. He did not like Rylee, or the story he gave, but he needed the warrior in the dragon armor dead, and his head removed. Chidren had given him strict instructions about that. The head was to be sent to Kath, and the king Arnoran. Avren was a cruel and harsh leader with a scar that ran from his left ear to his chin, and his jet-black hair hung to his shoulders, as was the custom of his people. At five feet nine he was taller than average by three inches, while his broad shoulders, showed power and strength. He weighed two hundred plus pounds, and liked to throw it around, but deep inside he was a coward.
The death of Grif was another matter all together. Grif was a thorn in Avren's side, and the reason his men did not travel the great road, because he was a killer, and he was very good at it. Avren lost several men to him before rerouting to the north, but killing him was not an option because he kept the guards in the western part of the empire busy, and away from the camp in the northeast. The camp was growing larger every day, as men made their way through the empire, and arrived in small groups. He could not have the guard find out about him, or what they were doing here, and Chidren was due back soon.
"How is it that Grif is dead, and you are still live? Avren asked, as he leaned forward.
"I was lucky, that's all" Rylee said, caught off guard by the question.
"You ran out the back while Grif was fighting is more likely "
"I thought you needed to know about the warrior is all" Rylee replied, becoming more nerves, now.
"Did you now? Well then, you should be rewarded for your service." Avren said, sitting back in his chair once again. After a long pause, he said. "I will send four men once again to find this warrior with the golden dragon on his armor, and you will lead them. Bring back his head, or die trying."
When Rylee was gone, Avren sent for Gaston. Pacing the floor as he waited, his anger grew stronger with each stride. How could their failure have happened after all his careful planning? Everything was going as Arnoran had predicted until now, and he worried that the failure was his. It would not go well for him with the mage king, if his tasks were not completed as he was instructed.
When Gaston arrived, Avren was calm once again.
"I need you to take your men, and go to the western crossroads." Avren said, looking at Gaston with cold eyes. "Five men were sent to acquire something and return it to me, but I have been told that what I seek, has passed them by, and has reached Argnon. When you find them, kill them all, and bring back the gold they were paid."
"And if they are not there?" Gaston asked.
"Then hunt them down, retrieve as much of the gold as you can, and bring it back to me. Make sure none of them are left
Cutting across the countryside to better go undetected and to make better time, Rylee rode as fast as he dared, pushing his mounts hard, and running them almost to death. When his horse gave out from exhaustion, and could no longer run, he traded it for any that he found along the way. The animals he left behind as he worked his way north meant nothing to him. They were no more than tools to be used as he wished, and what happened to them when he was done, did not concern him. Getting to the camp where Avren was, did.
*****
Avren sat back in his chair, and looked at the man in front of him. He did not like Rylee, or the story he gave, but he needed the warrior in the dragon armor dead, and his head removed. Chidren had given him strict instructions about that. The head was to be sent to Kath, and the king Arnoran. Avren was a cruel and harsh leader with a scar that ran from his left ear to his chin, and his jet-black hair hung to his shoulders, as was the custom of his people. At five feet nine he was taller than average by three inches, while his broad shoulders, showed power and strength. He weighed two hundred plus pounds, and liked to throw it around, but deep inside he was a coward.
The death of Grif was another matter all together. Grif was a thorn in Avren's side, and the reason his men did not travel the great road, because he was a killer, and he was very good at it. Avren lost several men to him before rerouting to the north, but killing him was not an option because he kept the guards in the western part of the empire busy, and away from the camp in the northeast. The camp was growing larger every day, as men made their way through the empire, and arrived in small groups. He could not have the guard find out about him, or what they were doing here, and Chidren was due back soon.
"How is it that Grif is dead, and you are still live? Avren asked, as he leaned forward.
"I was lucky, that's all" Rylee said, caught off guard by the question.
"You ran out the back while Grif was fighting is more likely "
"I thought you needed to know about the warrior is all" Rylee replied, becoming more nerves, now.
"Did you now? Well then, you should be rewarded for your service." Avren said, sitting back in his chair once again. After a long pause, he said. "I will send four men once again to find this warrior with the golden dragon on his armor, and you will lead them. Bring back his head, or die trying."
When Rylee was gone, Avren sent for Gaston. Pacing the floor as he waited, his anger grew stronger with each stride. How could their failure have happened after all his careful planning? Everything was going as Arnoran had predicted until now, and he worried that the failure was his. It would not go well for him with the mage king, if his tasks were not completed as he was instructed.
When Gaston arrived, Avren was calm once again.
"I need you to take your men, and go to the western crossroads." Avren said, looking at Gaston with cold eyes. "Five men were sent to acquire something and return it to me, but I have been told that what I seek, has passed them by, and has reached Argnon. When you find them, kill them all, and bring back the gold they were paid."
"And if they are not there?" Gaston asked.
"Then hunt them down, retrieve as much of the gold as you can, and bring it back to me. Make sure none of them are left
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