In the Shadow of the Dragon King by J. Keller Ford Read Free Book Online Page A

comfortable quarters beneath Festival Hall. A line of horse-drawn carriages wound along the outer rim of the courtyard, each filled with nobles ready for escorts to take them to their lavish apartments.
    “Sestian!” The bark came from the jobmaster, a heavyset man covered in filth and sweat. “Where in flaming dragon’s breath have you been? Get over here, now! Eric! You too!”
    “What in creation does he want?” Sestian grumbled.
    “Perhaps an audience with the privileged squires. We are practically royalty, you know.”
    They laughed and made their way across the courtyard. Sitting on the edge of the merman and hippocamp fountain was a short, stubby man, his feet barely touching the ground. His equally round wife, her hair piled high on her head in a beehive mess, sat beside him.
    Sestian groaned. “Ah, the swine-bellied Baron von Stuegler and his haughty wife. Wonderful.” His eyes drifted to the two large trunks and array of handbags stacked to their sides. “From the looks of it, you’d think they were moving in.”
    “Don’t suggest it,” Eric said. “They probably would.”
    “Sestian, hurry up!” the jobmaster ordered. “Take the Von Stueglers to their quarters on the third floor. They’re tired of waiting.”
    “What? I’m not a baggage hand—”
    The jobmaster smacked Sestian on the head. “If I wanted your comments, I’d ask for them, now move! Eric!” He shoved a whistle into Eric’s hand. “Take over for a bit.”
    “W-what do you want me to do?” Eric asked.
    “You’re an intelligent lad. Figure it out.”
    “But I should help Sestian. There are a lot of bags, far too many for him to carry alone.”
    Sestian glanced over his shoulder weighed down by two large paisley bags. “I’ve got this, Eric. I’ll catch up later.”
    Eric’s objections were interrupted by horns sounding from atop the gatehouse. The guard shouted, “The King’s messenger arrives!”
    The people scattered as the rider rounded the bend. His cloak flew out behind him as he brought his horse to a stop beside the waiting stable hands. The man dismounted and handed his steed into their care.
    The jobmaster shoved Eric aside. “Captain Morant. Welcome back to Gyllen. What is the word?”
    The rider stripped off his gloves. “King Gildore and Queen Mysterie are but two hours’ ride from here. They will arrive by sunset.” The captain looked around, taking in all the decorations, and grinned. “They will be most surprised at what you have done to the place.” He turned to Eric. “I need to speak with your master right away. I have a message to deliver to him from the king. Do you know where I might find him?”
    “I’m not sure. You can try Crafter’s Row.”
    “Thank you.” Captain Morant’s gaze traveled from the tip of Eric’s head to his feet then back to his face. “You should get cleaned up, young man. You are a squire, not a stable hand. You cannot be first in line alongside Sir Trogsdill to greet Their Majesties looking like a bedraggled cat.” He playfully punched Eric’s chin. “Go on! Make yourself presentable!”
    Eric grinned. He didn’t need to be told twice. “Yes, sir, Captain.” He flicked a sarcastic smile at the jobmaster and ran to his castle suite.

Chapter 4
     
     
    David ran upstairs to his room, his phone pressed to his ear.
    “What do you mean your parents aren’t dead?” Charlotte sounded as whacked-out as he felt.
    He read the letter to her. His hands shook as the words faded from his lips.
    “Shut up,” Charlotte said. “This is so freaking weird.”
    “What do I do with this, Char? My brain can’t process it.”
    “I don’t know. Let me think. I’m still with my family. I’ll call you when I get home.”
    David hung up and fell back on his bed. Unfolding the letter, he read it again. Three phrases stared back at him.
    The risk to his life.
    His father and I.
    David.
    No matter how he spun it, there was no room for misunderstanding. His parents were