A Realm of Shadows by Morgan Rice Read Free Book Online Page A

known; she
had been replaced by a proud warrior, a woman who could command legions. He had
never felt more pride until this day.
    “We have no
time. Come with me,” she said to them. “All of you. Join me.”
    They all looked at
each other in surprise, and Duncan felt a pit in his stomach at the idea of
riding a dragon, especially as it snarled down at them.
    “Hurry!” she
said.
    Duncan , seeing the
flock of dragons descending and knowing they had little choice, jumped into
action. He hurried with Aidan, Anvin, Motley, Cassandra, Septin and White, as
they all leapt onto the dragon’s back.
    He clutched the
heavy, ancient scales, marveling that he was really sitting on the back of a
dragon. It was like a dream.
    He held on with
all he had as the dragon lifted into the air. His stomach lightened, and he
could hardly believe the feeling. For the first time in his life, he was flying
in the air, above the streets, faster than he had ever been.
    Theon, faster
than them all, flew just above the streets, twisting and turning, so fast the
other dragons could not reach him amidst all the confusion and dust of the
capital. Duncan looked down and was amazed to see the city from above, to see the
tops of buildings, the winding streets laid out like a maze below.
    Kyra directed Theon
brilliantly, and Duncan was so proud of his daughter, so amazed that she was able
to control a beast like this. Within moments, they were free, in the open sky, beyond
the capital walls, and soaring over the countryside.
    “We must head south!”
Anvin yelled out. “There are rock formations there, beyond the perimeter of the
capital. All our men await us! They have retreated there.”
    Kyra directed Theon,
and soon they were all flying south, toward a huge outcropping of rock on the
horizon. Duncan saw up ahead the hundreds of massive boulders, dotted with small
caves inside, on the horizon, south of the capital walls.
    As they
approached, Duncan saw the armor and weaponry inside the caves, glistening in
the desert light, and his heart lifted to see hundreds of his men inside, awaiting
him at this rallying point.
    As Kyra directed
Theon down, they landed at the entrance of a massive cave. Duncan could see the
fear in the faces of the men below as the dragon approached, bracing themselves
for an attack. But then they spotted Kyra and the others on his back, and their
expressions changed to one of shock. They let down their guard.
    Duncan dismounted with
Kyra and the others, and he ran to embrace his men, overjoyed to see them alive
again. There were Kavos and Bramthos, Seavig and Arthfael, men who’d risked
their lives for him, men he thought he’d never see again.
    Duncan turned and saw Kyra,
and he was surprised to see she had not dismounted with the others.
    “Why do you
still sit there?” he asked. “Won’t you join us?”
    But Kyra sat
there, her back so straight and proud, and solemnly shook her head.
    “I mustn’t, Father.
I have some solemn business elsewhere. On behalf of Escalon.”
    Duncan stared back,
baffled, marveling at the strong warrior his daughter had become.
    “But where?” Duncan asked. “Where is more important than at our side?”
    She hesitated.
    “Marda,” she
replied.
    Duncan felt a chill at
the word.
    “Marda?” he
gasped. “You? Alone? You shall never return!”
    She nodded, and he
could see in her eyes that she already knew.
    “I vowed to go,”
she replied, “and I cannot abandon my mission. Now that you are safe, my duty
calls. Haven’t you always taught me that duty comes first, Father?”
    Duncan felt his heart swell
with pride at her words. He stepped forward, reached up, and embraced her,
clutching her to him as his men circled around.
    “Kyra, my
daughter. You are the better part of my soul.”
    He saw her eyes
well with tears, and she nodded back, stronger, more powerful, without the
sentiments she used to have. She gave a little kick, and Theon was quickly up
in the air. Kyra flew proudly on