Read Online Tales of the Lorekeepers 01 - Rise of the Red Dragon by Martin Rouillard - Free Book Online Page A

what they call us these days? I sort of like it, it has a certain cuteness. A fairy. Angeline the Fairy. I like the sound of that!”
    “Do you have magical powers?” asked Samuel.
    “I wish! I do have limited powers, but nothing like the kind you’re talking about. In a nutshell, I’m here to help you, the Keeper, so you can do your part and accomplish what you need to do. Each Keeper has a fata—a fairy—and we are like little guardians. My role is to guide you and keep you on the right path. To do that, I have some powers that I can use.”
    Samuel was as confused as ever.
    “So you’re not going to help me get home?” he asked, a little afraid of the answer.
    “Oh heavens, no! Not yet anyway. You have to do your part first, but I will help you in your task. I’m like a personal assistant. I’ll remind you of what needs to unfold and what must be prevented from happening. I’ll tell you where to go and who to meet, but know that ultimately, all the decisions have to be made by you, the Keeper.”
    “Now hold on a minute,” intervened Samuel. “I hear the words you’re saying, but they don’t mean anything to me. You keep calling me a Keeper. What exactly do you mean?”
    “Right, sorry about that. I was just getting to that part. Like I said, there are a lot of things to explain. This is why I hate getting assigned to newbies. No offense.”
    “None taken.”
    “Well, my dear Samuel, you’ll be pleased to know that you now bear the official title of Lorekeeper. I say ‘Keeper’ because I’m lazy by nature. Your role is to maintain the integrity of the legends and myths you find yourself in, like this one. You see, in Metverold, every myth and legend that is told in your world happens for real, over and over again.”
    Samuel was not sure he understood exactly what Angeline meant by that.
    “You mean that you relive every myth and tale endlessly, over and over again? Why?”
    “Why not? Do we need a reason to exist the way we do? Your world keeps evolving and changing, never satisfied with what you have and always wanting more. Is it so much better than being content with what we have here and sticking to it? Our world is not so bad—you’ll see for yourself soon enough.”
    “But don’t people want some changes from time to time?” asked Samuel. “What about the ones who end up dead or banished over the course of a story? Wouldn’t they want a different ending or a more merciful fate?”
    Angeline burst out laughing.
    “Well, of course they would, what do you think? However, they’re not aware that they’re playing out the stories again and again. It’s a little hard to explain, but most people in this world are simply not conscious that they’re actors, endlessly rehearsing the same play. And it has to remain that way for the sake of both of our worlds! I know this is very confusing, but in due time, I’ll explain more about the relations between our two universes.”
    “Please, don’t do it right now. My head is about to spin out of control,” said Samuel. “But I have to ask one last thing. Will I be able to get home soon?”
    Angeline paused to look directly into Samuel’s eyes.
    “Sammy, you will get home eventually, I promise. However, I cannot tell you when.”
    She pointed at his pockets.
    “The dice have chosen you, Samuel, to be the Lorekeeper, and the fate of both of our worlds rests on your shoulders. It is an honor to be selected, but also a very serious position to be put in. You must accept that you cannot go home right now. You have to perform your duty here first.
    “If you do not take your role seriously, you will fail and chaos will ensue. Our world’s safety is in your hands, Lorekeeper Samuel.”

CHAPTER 5

    Heavy clouds followed the Briton army for the entire day, filled with cold rain and casting dark shadows on the world below. Occasionally, a few drops fell on the men, a reminder that at any moment, nature could unleash a chilling deluge on their