Read Online The Dragon's Champion by Sam Ferguson, Bob Kehl - Free Book Online Page A

large shadow loomed over Erik. He could see Master
Lepkin standing next to him.
    “How many
pushups have you done?” Lepkin asked.
    “All one
thousand,” Eric whispered breathlessly.
    “Did you
complete the thousand squats as well?”
    Erik nodded
slowly.
    “What about your
sit-ups?” Lepkin inquired.
    Again, Erik
nodded.
    “I also assigned
one thousand pull-ups, did you complete those?”
    “No,” Erik
whispered.
    “How many did
you do?” Lepkin folded his arms and arched his left brow.
    “Eight hundred
and forty seven,” Erik replied.
    Lepkin bent down
and examined Erik’s hands. “The skin has torn in a couple places. I will
bandage your hands. You will be alright in a few days.”
    “I’m sorry for
sneaking into the tower,” Erik offered.
    Lepkin stood up
and walked over to a small cabinet to get dressing for Erik’s hands. “I was not
punishing you for that,” Lepkin said. “I was punishing you for not telling me
the whole truth when I asked you.”
    “You know about
the key?” Erik guessed.
    “I do,” Lepkin
replied. He walked back and started to clean Erik’s hands. “But I was more
upset that you didn’t tell me about the ghost and the wolf. A master must be
able to trust his apprentice. I can’t trust you if you keep things from me.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “I’m sorry too,”
Lepkin said. “I am partly to blame. I know I keep things from you too. Someday
I will tell you of Gelleirt monastery, but not until the appropriate time.
There are many things for you to learn first.”
    “Will you tell
me about you and Lady Dimwater?” Erik asked.
    “No, that is not
something you need to know. That is a private matter.” Lepkin sighed and began to
wrap Erik’s hands. “However, since Dimwater has told you about the state of our
kingdom, I will include you on some of my assignments, as long as Lord Lokton
is alright with that of course. Would you like that?”
    “Very much,”
Erik replied. He smiled for a moment, but his joy was robbed by the stinging in
his hand as Lepkin tied off a bandage.
    “If you
accompany me, you must follow my instructions instantly and exactly.”
    “I will,” Erik
promised.
    “And I must be
able to trust you at all times.”
    “Yes, Master Lepkin,
I understand.”
    “Good. Your
father is waiting outside to take you home. On Monday morning I will pick you
up from Lokton manor. Instead of coming back to Kuldiga Academy, we will be
going to Livany. Now go and get some rest.” Lepkin hoisted Erik up and gently
pushed him toward the door.
    Erik walked
through the hall as though he was under a spell. It seemed that his feet were
carrying him out to his adopted father without any conscious effort from his
brain. He didn’t look at the paintings or other decorations. He didn’t notice
that the clock in the entrance lobby chimed as it struck midnight. He didn’t
even greet the carriage’s driver before opening the door and climbing inside.
    “I understand
today has been a long day for you,” Lord Lokton said.
    Erik dropped
onto the other padded bench and lay down. He nodded his head in answer to his
adopted father’s question.
    “Well,” Lord
Lokton said with a kind smile. “Let’s get you home so you can rest.” He reached
out and closed the carriage door, since Erik was too tired to remember to do it
himself. Then Lord Lokton removed his long, green overcoat and laid it across
Erik, who was already fast asleep.
    “Are we ready,
sir?” the driver called out.
    “Yes, Louis,
we’re ready,” Lord Lokton replied.
    The carriage
jolted forward. The first few yards were quite bumpy. Lord Lokton put his hand
on Erik’s shoulder to keep the boy from being jostled around. Finally, the two
horses drawing the carriage fell in step with each other and the ride became
smooth.
    “Sorry, milord,
I had to replace Strider because he threw a shoe earlier today. I had no choice
but to use Sable,” Louis said.
    “It’s no
problem,” Lord Lokton replied.