Maylin's Gate (Book 3) by Matthew Ballard Read Free Book Online

who? You had no choice.”
    He wiped the tears from his face. “There’s always a choice. My choice cost Devery along with every man on that mountain.”
    “We’ll go back to Freehold and —”
    “No Rika. We’ll not go back to Freehold,” he said voice filled with rage. “You and father will go find Sir Alcott.”
    “I can’t leave you,” Rika said.
    “You don’t understand.” He gazed into Rika’s watery eyes. “I can’t be with you Rika. If any harm came to you or the baby….” He choked on the words and paused to suppress a wave of grief. The thought of harming Rika left him nauseous. “If I hurt you or the baby, I could not live through the pain.”
    “Where would you go?” Connal said. “You can’t run away from the world when it needs you most. Millions more could die without your help.”
    “I understand father, and I thank you for the reminder.”
    “You asked for no coddling,” Connal said. “You’re a grown man and you have truths to face.”
    He glared at his father. “I’ll find Moira. The dragons can teach me how to control whatever it is I’ve become. I’m a danger to everyone until I learn.”
    “Fine. I’ll take you,” Rika said.
    He barked out a short bitter laugh. “Not a chance. Did you not hear me? I’ll not channel another drop of magic in your presence.”
    “Then I’ll take you,” Connal said.
    He shook his head. “I’ll not risk your life either. Besides, you’re Ayralen’s Prime Guardian, and a better leader than I ever was.”
    “Ronan, this is madness,” Rika said.
    “I’ve ordered the evacuation of every village along the coast,” he said. “The witch will not have any more humans to feast on. She can kill the bloody baeriense all she wants, but she won’t take another human life.”
    “You don’t have to channel magic,” Rika said. “Just let me take you to Moira’s.”
    “You and Rika should go find Sir Alcott in the Trinity Range,” he said.
    “What’s he doing there?” Connal said.
    “He’s excavating the site where Danielle found the Book of Order. He has a theory about the site. I’m sure he’ll be glad to explain when you see him.”
    Connal nodded.
    “The baerinese will move inland through the ports along the coast,” he said. “You need to gather an army, but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that.”
    “When will you be back?” Connal said.
    He shook his head. “When I figure out who I am.”
    “How will you get there?” Rika said. “Surely you don’t plan on walking.”
    “Didn’t we capture one of those baerinese birds?” He said.
    Connal nodded. “It’s called a draco. But, the beast won’t let a human near it let alone mount and command it.”
    “Is the baeriense soldier you captured still alive?” He said.
    “Yes, he’s in the village,” Connal said. “Your detention shield is still holding.”
    He nodded. “He’ll teach me.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Arber Reborn
     
    Danielle rolled the silver key between her fingers. Detailed engravings adorned the key's head.
    Behind her, Lora's and Elan's Spheres hummed in suspension.
    With brow furrowed, Arber tracked the key twisting through her fingers. Curiosity touched the old guardian's eyes.
    "What is it Arber?" She said.
    "It's familiar somehow...."
    Her head spun. "How so?"
    Arber's gaze never left the key. "I remember seeing that key somewhere. Or one just like it."
    "Where?" She leaned forward and pushed the key into Arber's palm. "Try to remember. It's important."
    Arber's hand closed around the key. "I was in Zen."
    "Was the emperor with you?"
    Arber nodded. "They were whipping me. Sorcerers and shaman everywhere."
    "What did you see?"
    Arber's eyes closed. "They stopped the beating long enough for me to catch my breath. Martell was there begging them to stop. He told them I had information critical to the emperor."
    "Did Martell have the key?"
    Eyes squeezed shut, Arber's head shook. "Around the same time, a sorcerer came