Hunt For The Hero (Book 5) by Craig Halloran Read Free Book Online Page A

months at least. “You have failed me, Kryzak! Perhaps you are helping Nath Dragon save the Dragons now!”
    “Never, High Priestess! I err ed, that is all! I misjudged him!” He pleaded. “It was me or them!”
    Selene’s face was a mask of fury.
    “Do you value your pathetic human life above that of Dragons!”
    “I-I—certainly not, High Priestess!”
    “Close your eyes,” she commanded.
    “Er,” Kryzak swallowed, “as you wish.” He shut is eyes.
    “Draykis,” she said.
    It stepped alongside Kry zak.
    “Strike him.”
    Its long tongue licked out its mouth and along its teeth. “With pleasure,” it said, balling up its clawed fist.
    Whop!
    It flattened Kryzak to the ground.
    Kry zak could feel his face swelling already.
    “Find my Dragons!” she yelled. “And don’t lose Nath Dragon either! And if you don’t have better news to report soon, you’ll be dead.”
    When Kry zak opened his eyes, she was gone. The one remaining Draykis stood over him with a grin on its face. Kryzak dangled the purple amulet and said, “Looks like you’re going to be the next one to face Nath Dragon.”
    ***
    Selene sat on her throne with a smile on her face, petting the Drulture on her shoulder. Kryzak had done well. Even better than expected.
    “I have to hand it to him: he’s very creative.”
    T he Drulture let out a tiny roar and its feathers ruffled.
    “Oh, not as creative as you , my pet, but he’s awfully good for a Man.”
    Yes, Kryzak had exceeded expectations, but letting him know that wasn’t a good motivator.
    “I have to keep him on his toes.”
    And it seemed Nath Dragon was wearing down. The evil within was growing. He couldn’t fight it forever. Not when his friends died or when Dragons were captured. He’d meet with failure after failure. She almost felt sorry for him. He was naive. His head was filled with a standard that was impossible to live up to, set by his father.
    “Not killing anyone . In this world. Hah!”
    Gorn Grattack had told her about the high standards set by the Dragon king, Nath’s father, and they’d both laughed. No, it was so much easier to do evil than good, and Nath would learn that. And why wouldn’t he want to learn? Why wouldn’t he want to rule Nalzambor and do whatever he wanted? He didn’t need his father. His father needed him. She’d show him that.
    “Are you hungry ?” she said to the Drulture.
    It offered a growl.
    She clapped her hands.
    The great doors opened and the Lizard Men soldiers stepped inside and kneeled.
    “Feeding time,” she said.
    Moments later they returned with a cage. Inside it something wide-eyed trembled.
    “Think you can handle it?”
    The Drulture ’s eyes narrowed. It hopped onto the back of her throne, spread its wings and growled.

 
    CHAPTER 13
     
     
    “Nath,” a soft voice said. Someone shook my shoulder. “Nath, he’s going to be fine.”
    I looked up and found Sasha’s soft eyes. She sounded confident, but I wasn’t so sure. Ben had looked gaunt and pasty when I left. I’d wanted to stay by his side, but Bayzog and Brenwar had insisted that I go. Said they had it under control. At least someone did.
    “He’s breathing well now, Nath.”
    “And the fever?” I said.
    “It will break,” she said, taking a seat on a stone bench beside me.
    It was late in the night. The clouds covered the moon, and the villagers’ lanterns twinkled from inside their homes. It was a peaceful setting.
    “Sasha,” I said, “I-I just couldn’t forgive myself if Ben died. And I’m far from over Shum being gone.”
    The stiff wind blew her hair into her face, and she pushed it away and offered the sweetest smile.
    “You can’t control everything, Nath. You can only control yourself. You can’t protect everyone. Not your friends or the Dragons. You just have to do your best with what you have.”
    I shook my head.
    “That’s not helping, Sasha. Sorry.”
    “Oh, Nath …” She looked away up the hill and sighed.
    I sat