Read Online Dragonvein Book Four by Brian D. Anderson - Free Book Online Page A

into the afternoon when they arrived at their destination. Martok was sure he'd heard the distant roar of a dragon overhead as they set out that morning, and ever since then he'd found himself spending most of his time gazing hopefully up amongst the clouds. Much to his disappointment, clouds were the only sky bound objects he had so far seen.
    The path had taken them right to the very edge of a deep chasm. A few yards away from this stood a small cabin. Ralmar led his son inside and set about building a fire in the hearth. The interior was modest, yet quite adequate, and large enough to accommodate four people if necessary.
    After finishing a meal, Ralmar regarded Martok across the table. His expression carried a mixture of pride and anxiety.
    “What is about to happen can be quite unsettling, son,” he began. “It certainly was for me when my father brought me here. But there is nothing to fear.”
    Martok puffed out his chest. “I’m not scared.”
    Ralmar laughed. “Neither was I until I met her.”
    “Who is she? I mean really?”
    “I told you. Heather was the first of our line to bond with the dragons.”
    “How can she still be alive?”
    His father waved a hand. “All of your questions will be answered soon enough. But before that happens, remember, I would never allow anything to harm you. I would not have brought you here unless I thought you were ready. And when you return, I will be waiting.”
    Martok cocked his head. “You’re not coming with me?”
    “No. This is your time. You must meet her on your own. As I said before, there is nothing to fear. I promise you that.”
    Martok did not want to admit it, but the thought of going on alone was starting to frighten him. Nonetheless, he did his best not to show this.
    Ralmar glanced over to the window. The light was fading and night would soon fall. “We should go now,” he said.
    He led his son from the cabin and over to a spot where the path continued on down the side of the canyon. Fear gripped Martok as he regarded the scarily narrow trail. More than ever he wanted his father to be with him. Knowing that wasn't going to happen, he stiffened his back and balled his tiny fists.
    “I’m ready, father.”
    Ralmar nodded and gave his son a loving smile. “I know you are.”
    His eyes followed the line of the path. “I had almost forgotten how far down it is.” Having said that, he placed a firm hand on Martok’s shoulder. “Just stay close to the wall. There's plenty of room if you do that.”
    Martok gave his father a final look before beginning his descent. He did not enjoy heights very much, and the lack of any sort of railing made the path seem far narrower than it really was. His mother would have been a nervous wreck had she been there to see him. And the look in his father’s eyes just before he set off told him that he was in a similar state of anxiety.
    When he finally dared to look down at the canyon floor he saw a circle of pedestals surrounding a raised marble platform. Each pedestal had a faintly glowing rajni stone set at its crown. The rest of the floor was bare, and even in the waning sunlight he could easily see well into the distance. No one was visible. Where was this ancestor hiding?
    Upon reaching the bottom he cautiously approached the platform and began walking its circumference. Still he saw no one. Knowing the smooth sides were too high for him to climb up, he looked around for something to stand on. It was a forlorn gesture. He already knew there was nothing at all other than a few small pebbles scattered about.
    “Hello?” he called out, his small voice echoing unnaturally loudly from the intimidatingly high canyon walls. “Is anyone here?”
    No reply came.
    There was only one thing left to try. Looking back to the platform, he took a deep breath and then ran as fast as his legs could carry him toward it, jumping up just before he slammed into the side. It was a determined effort, but he was not quite tall enough.