Read Online In the Shadow of the Dragon King by J. Keller Ford - Free Book Online Page B

hold on him, the constant pressure for Eric to be perfect in everything he did; his need to prove his worth to a man who deemed him to have none.
    Gildore nodded, and when Eric finished, he said, “How well I can relate to what you say. Try not to hold it against him. He only wants what is best for you.” The man stood, walked over to Eric, and sat next to him on the bed. “He also believes you might be in some trouble.” The king lifted an eyebrow. “Are you?”
    “There are many things Sir Trogsdill believes, sire. That doesn’t make them true.”
    Gildore smiled. “Agreed.”
    “I’m trying to work something out on my own, that’s all,” Eric continued. “I’d like him to trust me enough to do so.”
    Gildore gave Eric’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I shall try to set his mind at ease.”
    “Thank you.” Eric bowed.
    “Let’s get together when you return from Avaleen,” Gildore said. “We’ll swap stories from the past year.”
    “I look forward to it, my lord.”
    Gildore turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
    Eric undressed down to his under tunic and breeches and fell into bed. Thoughts of the upcoming trip to Avaleen left him more than anxious. Perhaps Sestian was right. Maybe there was more to this trip than Trog let on. After all, mages were trolling Hammershire. A paladin was due to arrive any day. In a few hours, he would leave for the mage city to engage in what could only be military strategic warfare training with a man whose mere presence shattered his nerves.
    Eric closed his eyes and pushed the thoughts aside, forcing his mind to focus on the music and laughter floating up from the courtyard.
    A brisk breeze tinged with a hint of rain wafted through the open doors of the balcony as an echoing storm rumbled to the east. Chilled, he pulled the brocade covers over his shoulders, growing drowsy as a resonating purr boiled up, distinct and separate, from the growl of thunder. His weary mind whispered of an unseen threat and cast an image of living darkness crawling along the shadowed edge of the Northern Forest, waiting. Eric squinted the vision away and buried his head under his pillow. Tomorrow, he would come face-to-face with a killer more dangerous than Trog. The last thing he needed was an overactive imagination.

Chapter 6
     
     
    David tossed the sketchpad to the foot of his bed. His head throbbed. His mind struggled to sort through the chaos flying around inside. For hours, he’d sat hunched over, his fingers tapping the keyboard, searching for the location of Fallhollow and possible meanings of the tattoo and ring. Only once did he venture downstairs to collect an armful of snacks and a six-pack of Coke. From the staircase, he spotted Lily in the library, an oversized, black, leather-bound book clutched to her chest. He’d never seen it before, and her protectiveness stirred more than curiosity. He made a mental note to go back and look for it.
    It wasn’t until the sky burned with a brilliant sunset that David stood and swept the dark strands from his eyes. He texted Charlotte, desperate to get out of the house, but she babbled back she was in the middle of doing chores and couldn’t talk. Bored, he logged on to his favorite fantasy game, but the medieval world with its knights and dragons did little to calm his growing apprehension.
    “I’ve gotta get out of here.”
    A gentle knock sent his nerves skittering.
    “David, I’m going to grab a bite to eat. I’d like you to come with me.”
    Lily sounded sincere. It might be productive. “Will you tell me what I want to know about my parents?”
    There was a pause, not a long one, but enough to give David an answer before she did.
    “I can’t, honey. Please, trust me.”
    Right. Trust someone who lied to him and continued to keep the truth away.
    “I’m sorry, Lily. I can’t.”
    Silence.
    “Okay,” she finally said. Disappointment flooded through the closed door.
    David pulled his