Dragon Stones (Book One in the Dragon Stone Saga) by Kristian Alva Read Free Book Online Page B

also had an eye in the back, so that no one could ever
attack her from behind.
    The cathedral was usually filled with
worshippers. The cathedral was one of the only places in the
cramped city that was spacious enough for all the dragons and their
riders. Mitca’s guards had emptied the building and searched it
hours before in preparation for the king and his riders. For this
and other sensitive tasks, the king always used his private guard.
They would all meet discreetly.
    Sela and Brinsop arrived first, and entered
the church gates without opposition. Seven heavily armed guards
stood at the entrance. They nodded to the rider and her dragon, but
otherwise did not move. Sela marveled at these men. Their full-body
tattoos identified them as members of the king’s personal honor
guard. The ornate tattoos were not merely for decoration; they were
comprised of ancient symbols—protective inscriptions to ward off
hexes, curses, and other evil spells.
    Mitca’s private sentinels were all
descendants or relatives of Fivan, the soldier that had saved him
as a child. Fivan guarded Mitca throughout his life, and even
helped build and design the city of Parthos. The tale of Fivan’s
death was well-known throughout the city. Mitca never let anyone
forget it.
    Fivan insisted in sampling all of Mitca’s
food before the king would eat it, in order to prevent a poisoning
attempt. Mitca was impetuous and brash, and, like many young
princes, he thought Fivan was too cautious. Mitca playfully called
him “mother hen”—even clucking when he came into the room.
    But Fivan’s caution was well-founded. He
knew that the Vosper’s treachery was boundless. In the end, Fivan
died protecting his master.
    Starfruit was a rare treat; it perished
quickly and had to be smuggled in from Southern Durn. It was
prohibitively expensive, and Mitca craved the fruit often. Fivan
insisted on eating part of the starfruit.
    “My king, you must wait. I will taste the
starfruit first. Then you may eat the rest.”
    “Fivan, you are too cautious! I don’t want
to share this with you. I only get starfruit once a year and I want
this all to myself.”
    “That is all the more reason for us to be
vigilant. My lord, please agree, or I will be forced to throw the
entire plate out the window.” Fivan smiled, but Mitca could tell
that he was serious.
    Mitca sighed. “Fine! I don’t know why I let
you intimidate me. I’m the king!”
    Fivan laugh quietly, and took a bite from
the costly fruit. A few minutes later, Fivan collapsed to the floor
in convulsions. The starfruit had been laced with kudu oil, a
powerful poison made from the kuduare plant. Kudu was called the
“death berry” because ingesting a minute amount was enough to kill
a grown man.
    Mitca, impatient, had also eaten a piece of
the fruit, but was able to vomit in time to save his own life. Even
so, Mitca spent weeks between life and death. Healing mages
attended his bedside day and night. Eventually, Mitca recovered,
but the experience made him a changed man. The oil caused permanent
damage to Mitca’s esophagus, and he never ate starfruit again.
    The king mourned Fivan for a year, and
buried his body in an ornate tomb in the cathedral. He never
forgave himself for Fivan’s death, and he vowed to treat Fivan’s
family as his own. Shortly after the funeral, Mitca took all of
Fivan’s children and his widow and moved them into a private wing
in the castle. Fivan’s nine sons became his private guard. It has
been so ever since.
    “We have arrived,” announced Riona as she
appeared with Stormshard at the cathedral doors. “The others should
be here in a few minutes.”
    Charlight and Hanko appeared next, and then
Duskeye and Tallin a few minutes later.
    “Where are the fledglings?” asked
Charlight.
    “We left them at the fortress. I told them
to watch the gates. It gives them something to do, and makes them
feel useful,” replied Tallin, his red curls bobbing as he spoke.
Tallin was