Dragon Choir by Benjamin Descovich Read Free Book Online

this time a year? They all live the good life up in that golden
nest. Count their glitter while we all get fried by the dragons.
This pup’s got no chance.”
    “ How much is the bounty exactly?”
    “ Chest of gold and rights to land and title by the
Guildmaster.” The rider leered. “Anything interesting on the way
down then? We could share the pot.”
    “ The only shiners I’ve seen were headed home to their
families. I won’t keep you from yours.”
    “ Fancy a ride with me before my ship sails? It’s sure not safe
out here in the night for a pretty lady.”
    “ Tend to your own. I can look after myself.” Minni drew her
blade from behind her saddle to establish an
understanding.
    The soldier
pulled his horse out of range. “Want to play highwayman? I’ve shell
for whores and steel for thieves. Which is it then?”
    Minni was
happy for the opportunity to paint his grin red. She was no longer
a toy for Jandan pleasure.
    The caravan
rattled its way up the rise.
    Minni kept her
eyes on the soldier, her hand on her blade.
    He turned his
horse, checking his chances between Minni and the caravan.
    “ Take the dead letter home soldier. Give bread to your wife.”
Minni drew a dagger from under her sleeve. With the comfort of a
blade in each hand she relaxed her body, ready to kill.
    “ Your bones be bagged, witch.” The soldier dug in his spurs
and galloped his steed down the road following the other rider to
Rum Hill.
    Minni sheathed
her blades. The caravan rolled to a stop at the junction and a
rebel disguised as a Jandan guard approached Minni.
    “ Commander?”
    “ A dead letter is on the march, something special to get the
dogs barking.” Minni patted her mare’s shoulder again and the mock
lame hoof returned to the grass.
    “ Not for one of us?” The guard’s eyes followed the soldier as
he rode in the distance. “Is the rider a problem?”
    “ No, let him go, he’s not a threat. Though there may be
trouble with our cargo. We have a stowaway.” Minni gave another
sugar lump to her horse and mounted.
    “ Ma’am?” The guard drew his sword.
    “ Stay your blade. I suspect he’s another bird, flown the
golden nest.”
    “ One for the flock?”
    “ Maybe so; I want eyes on him and see he doesn’t fly off into
harm’s way. With a bounty that big and North Eye quick to take
notice, we’ve landed a prize worth at least double what the golden
city has on offer. Continue to the Crab and Petrel, no stopping;
the horses are eager. Three of you at point. Report as needed, no
more.”
    The caravan
rattled down the road to the coast. Minni rode out ahead of the
wagons, tallying her victories for the day and marking the
oddities. The more she thought about each happenstance, the more
the mysterious stowaway increased in value.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER FIVE
    Stowaway
     
    Elrin’s body
was wracked with tremors. He was cold all over, yet his heart
seared; cooking him from the inside out. His robes were a false
comfort from the chills, only serving to soak up his perspiration.
He huddled in a quivering ball. Overcome with exhaustion and lulled
by the rocking of the wagon, he drifted into a fitful
sleep.
     
    The guard he
killed had bled out and the baked earth drank it down. The woman
with eyes of spring and hair like autumn pulled him into her
chambers, brushing her body close to his. She left him yearning and
blocked the exit while men screamed outside and a red slick pooled
under the door. Unseen forces closed on him, barricaded him in. He
couldn’t run. He couldn’t breath.
     
    Elrin woke in
darkness gasping for air, coaxed from the nightmare by a beautiful
song. It sprung deep in his head, his mouth tingled and water
beaded on his skin. While he had slept the barrels had slid closer,
pressing him in, but now his breath returned and a mysterious
energy rippled around his body, washing over his tired muscles. It
was a pleasant renewal compared to the wildfire