dragon archives 05 - forever a dragon by linda k hopkins Read Free Book Online Page A

lodgings for the season, the distance home too far to travel in ten days. Lleland reached the bottom of the stairs and turned the corner, narrowly avoiding a collision with Drake.
    “ Mea culpa, Magister ,” Drake said, stepping back.
    Lleland waved the apology away. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.” They fell into step as they walked along the passage. “Do you remain here during the festivities?” Lleland asked.
    “No. My sister and I travel to family tomorrow.”
    “You have a sister in Civitas?”
    “She’s just here for a few days. We have a townhouse in the city, and she stays there.” He paused for a moment. “I’ll be joining her for the evening. Would you care to join us?”
    Lleland stopped walking in surprise. “Join you? Well, uh …”
    “Unless you have other plans, of course.”
    “No.” Lleland continued down the passage. “Thank you, I would like to join you.” Drake nodded and the two men entered the hall. To celebrate the end of term, the Dean had relaxed the rules regarding speaking at meals, and the mood in the hall was celebratory. Lleland walked to the dais and joined the other Masters as the priest intoned a blessing and the meal was served.
    It was cold and drizzly when Lleland stepped outside a few hours later, where he had arranged to meet Drake. He pulled his cloak around his chest as Drake stepped from beneath the shelter of a tree.
    “Drake House isn’t far,” Drake said as they started walking. “I sent a message ahead to Lydia to let her know I’m bringing a visitor.”
    “Lydia’s your sister? Is there anyone else?”
    “Just the servants.”
    “She stays alone?” Lleland was surprised. “How old is she?”
    “The same age as myself,” Drake said. “She’s my twin.”
    They walked in silence for a while, before Lleland addressed Drake again. “I’ve heard the villages in the Northern Mountains are few and far between.”
    “They are. We didn’t grow up in one of the villages, though. My family has a home deep in the mountains. The closest village is thirty miles away.”
    “I’ve also heard there are dragons in the Northern Mountains.”
    There was a moment of silence, and Lleland glanced at Drake, waiting for his reply. “You’re not very fond of dragons, are you?” Drake finally said.
    Lleland looked away. “No.” He paused. “My father was killed by the dragon that attacked Civitas.” Lleland heard Drake’s surprised intake of breath. “I was just a boy. The dragon killed my father while I watched.” There was silence, and Lleland turned slowly to look at Drake. His eyes were narrowed, his expression set like stone.
    “I’m sorry,” Drake said. “Please know how very sorry I am. I wish there was something I could do to … to make amends.” His voice shook slightly as Lleland listened in confusion.
    “It was a long time ago, Drake.”
    Drake nodded. “Of course. I just … I cannot imagine how that must have affected you.” They walked in silence for a few minutes. “If you don’t mind,” Drake said, “please don’t mention this to my sister. I’m afraid it will distress her.”
    “Of course,” Lleland replied. They rounded a corner, and Drake stopped before a tall townhouse. Using his fist, he thumped on the door, and a moment later it was pulled open from within by a large, matronly woman.
    “Hannah,” Drake said. “This is –” He was cut off when a young woman flew out the door and flung her arms around him.
    “Zach!” He returned the embrace with a laugh.
    “Hello, sister. It’s wonderful to see you again, too. I’ve brought our guest.”
    “Oh!” Lydia pulled herself out of Zach’s arms and turned to Lleland with a blush, her eyes lowered. “Please forgive me, Master Seaton, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen my brother.”
    “Three nights,” Zach said with a laugh. He threw a glance at Lleland, who raised his eyebrows. “Sorry, I’ve just made you complicit in my erring ways.”
    Lleland