Read Online The D'Karon Apprentice by Joseph R. Lallo - Free Book Online

Myranda and the others had been forced to
journey north to meet with those who provided the stone and lumber
for the repairs, providing payment and explaining how the tour
would change matters. They’d also dropped off messages to prepare
some of the diplomatic stops for their requirements. Then it was
back south and to the front. There had been two snowstorms in the
days they had been flying, but above the clouds they were of little
concern. Flying so high made for a frigid journey, but a blast of
dragon fire, a good, heavy cloak, and a few whispered spells kept
everyone comfortable. Unfortunately, over most of the Northern
Alliance the clouds were thick enough to make it difficult to see
the ground even without a storm, so dropping through from time to
time was necessary.
    “If you like, I can navigate. Last night I
looked through my primer to refresh my memory regarding the
necessary spells,” Deacon offered, raising his voice against the
rushing wind.
    “No. I think it is important Myn learns to
navigate on her own. We can’t always be guiding her. I’m not sure
how dragons do it naturally, but the least I can do is help her
along. Show her how I do it until she can find her own way.”
    “Yes. It is something of a mystery how they
find their way in the absence of more traditionally human means,”
Deacon said. “Worthy of study.”
    Myranda leaned forward to address Myn more
directly. “You see how much more green and lush the land is there
near the horizon? We’re getting close to Tressor. Those peaks there
are the southern fringe of the Rachis Mountains. That silvery
thread is the Loom River. We are to cross the border where the Loom
crosses it. The border is where the ground … darkens for a bit.
That’s the Crimson Band… where all of the fighting was
happening.”
    Myranda paused for a moment, looking sadly at
the subtle but undeniable stripe of landscape that stretched as far
as the eye could see in both directions. It was darker in some
places than others, but even six months after the last major
offensive the land had not healed. Perhaps it never would. It was
said that so much blood had been spilled on that soil—both the red
blood of humans and the black blood of nearmen—that it had
permanently darkened to a rusty, sickly color. The war had lasted
so long it had left scars not only on the people but also on the
land itself.
    She tried to push the thoughts away. “Make
sure to land well before that. They have requested that we cross
the border on foot. They will be waiting at a checkpoint on the
road just east of the Loom. Keep a look out for it, and land to the
north of it. Understand?”
    There was a rumble through Myn, felt more
than heard, in response.
    “You know something, Myn? Perhaps when you
learn to navigate, you will explain it to me. And sooner rather
than later,” Deacon called out to her, giving her a pat on the
side. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you’ve been more vocal lately.
Perhaps not verbal, but vocal. And you’ve always been enthralled by
Myranda’s voice.”
    “She’ll talk when she’s ready,” Myranda said,
giving Myn a pat of her own.
    Myn tucked her wings and dove more quickly
toward the ground, prompting Myranda and Deacon to hold tighter and
lean closer. The young dragon had a bit of a tendency to show off,
particularly regarding her landings, and it wouldn’t be the first
time she’d lost one of her riders and had to fetch them before
something tragic happened. As a matter of fact, it had happened no
less than six times to Deacon. It was enough to make Myranda
suspect that this was simply a new way of toying with him. When
they held tight and leaned low, though, the wind swept over them
with barely a flutter of their clothes. It was like they were one
with her, cutting through the sky as though they belonged nowhere
else. As the ground approached, Myn stretched her wings once more
and they caught the wind, swooping her upward and slowing her
descent.