Read Online Hunt For The Hero (Book 5) by Craig Halloran - Free Book Online Page B

stopped, but Nath and Brenwar were still chewing.
    “I just wanted to say something,” Ben said, picking up his goblet.
    “What is it, Ben?” Sasha said, “Please speak.”
    “Well, where I’m from, we always thank the preparers. To the both of you, Sasha and Bayzog, I want to express my thanks. This has been wonderful. And to all of you,” He raised his goblet, “I’m honored to be among you. I’m honored to be your friend. Thank you all.”
    “Well said.” Nath halted in tipping his goblet to his lips. “Well said.”
    “Agreed,” said Brenwar, “now pass that cheese.”
    “Brenwar!” Sasha said.
    “Oh, sorry,” Brenwar said. He straightened himself up in his chair. “Please pass the cheese.”
    “Hahahaha! That’s not what I meant,” Sasha said, holding her belly.
    “What? I just want the cheese . What’s the humor in it?”
    Everyone started laughing. Everyone but Dragon.
    “Dragon,” Ben said, “Lighten up, will you? You’re as stone faced as Brenwar.”
    Dragon didn’t move. He sat stiff as a board with his eyes closed.
    “Nath,” Sasha said, worried. She rose from her seat and gasped.
    Nath fell face first into his plate of food.

 
    CHAPTER 18
     
     
    “What’s wrong with him ?” Ben said. “Is he breathing?”
    Dragon lay stretched out on the table with Bayzog’s pointed ear on his chest.
    “The heart beats,” Bayzog said, “but slowly.”
    Brenwar punched Nath in the arm and said, “Wake up!”
    “Easy,” Bayzog said.
    “Easy nothing,” Brenwar said. He pinched Nath’s thigh. Nothing happened.
    “Why don’t you tickle him or something ?” Ben said.
    Brenwar eyed him.
    Ben shrugged.
    Sasha dripped some water over Nath’s lips.
    Nothing moved. Nothing twitched.
    “I think he’s changing again,” she said. She held her fingers over his lips. “He breathes, same as the last time. Barely.”
    “I agree,” Bayzog said. “Brenwar, what do you think? You were with him the first time this happened, were you not?”
    “Aye,” Brenwar growled, “And I had to haul his carcass all over until he came to.”
    “So did I,” said Ben. “And he was out months the last time. Do you think it will be months again?”
    “What if it gets longer every time?” Sasha said.
    Silence fell and all eyes were on Nath. He was the reason they were gathered. He was the future, and now he lay still as a stone.
    “What do we do, Bayzog?” Sasha said, brushing Nath’s hair away from his stony face. “Do we take him back to Quintuklen?”
    “I say Morgdon,” Brenwar said. “Let the Dwarves keep him safe.”
    Bayzog cla sped his fingers behind his back and began walking around the table. They had all pledged to look after Nath, but he was their leader, and he was down. So the question was, who did they follow now?
    “They are both good suggestions, but Quintuklen is closer,” Bayzog said.
    “And full of the Clerics of Barnabus,” Brenwar said. “I say we take him to the hills. He’ll be safe there. We don’t have the foulness of the races up there.”
    “You don’t have the security of my home there either,” Bayzog said.
    Brenwar bristled.
    “Security! No one’s ever penetrated Morgdon. Not once. Not ever.” Brenwar rapped his fist on the table. “He’s my charge by the Dragon King himself, not yours, Elf.  I’ll decide what’s best for him.”
    “This could go on for months again, maybe a year,” Bayzog said . “I don’t want to wait in Morgdon that long. Not when I can do research and seek other help. There are other things we need to prepare for, Brenwar. What happens when he wakes up? What if he changes even more? Will you be ready for that?”
    “As much as you, Elf!” Brenwar thumbed his bearded chest. “He comes with me.”
    Bayzog made his way back to Brenwar and looked right down at him.
    “I disagree.”
    Brenwar poked him in the chest three times with his stubby fingers. “I—Don’t—Care.”
    “Are you the only two that have a say in