Legend of the Inero Dragon by JF Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page A

few people who treats me like a human
being and not like a goddess made from glass."
    "In their defense, you do have a lot of
goddess-like qualities. At the very least you're a saint to put up
with some of the things you do."
    "Like irritating step-sons?" she said,
nudging him with her foot.
    "And grumpy bodyguards," Jason said, shooting
a look at Chris. The young man only shrugged.
    Navi laughed and gave Chris another
affectionate smile. Soon all the humor was gone from her face, her
brow furrowed in thought. "I did want to ask you about something
else. Your father has been talking a lot about his plans with the
Oceina tribe lately. Not to me of course, but I hear him on the
phone or with his guests. Most particularly—"
    "Seth, the child prophet?" Jason couldn't
help but roll his eyes. If anyone but Navi had seen it, he'd no
doubt be severely punished for it.
    He couldn't help it. The boy was twelve years
old and claiming to be a prophet from God. Jason would buy into it
more if he didn't see so many bad turns for the country. Bad turns
that started when the boy began advising his father. Jason did not
believe in coincidence.
    "Yes, my thoughts exactly. I don't suppose
you know anything about it?" she asked.
    "No, Father does not talk to me much about
military plans. The only thing he wants me to do is train the
warriors in defensive spells." Beyond that, Jason was useless in
battle. He couldn't stomach blood and violence.
    She nodded, her brow furrowing. "My
connection with him isn't strong. He's been with so many women, it
weakens our bond." She said the word bond with a sour note. Jason
was positive she wouldn't have gotten married if she felt she'd had
a choice. "You're still connected to your brother, right?"
    "Yes, but I don't know what kind of
involvement he'll have in anything. Especially with the...did you
say the Oceina tribe?" Why would his father want to pick a fight
with them? Their water magic was the Inero's weakness and they were
nearly three times larger, not to mention all of their
technological advancements that had yet to be shared with the other
nations. The Inero would never win.
    "He mentioned Matthias as being a key. Keep
your ears open for me? We can consider it a trade," she said.
    Jason nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
    "Chris is from the Oceina nation. Surely
you've noticed this?" He had. Chris had fairer skin than the
traditional Inero tan, lighter hair, and hardly any Inero had blue
eyes.
    "Yes, of course I have, but I don't
understand."
    "Your father hates them. I don't want
something to happen to Chris. There's more, though. What Lynx is
talking about is a grand-scale operation. He says things like:
'Once they're gone for good.' We're a lot alike, Jason, in that we
don't believe fighting is the best way to solve problems. If I can
stop this, I want to. To do that, I need more information. At the
very least, I want those I love to be safe and aware of what's
going on. You fall into this category."
    He swallowed hard. She was asking him to
commit treason, and that didn't sit well with him. He loved his
family and his nation, but thoughts of war worried him. He hated
violence, death, and destruction. Surely it couldn't hurt for him
to keep his ears open a little. "I'll see if anything comes
up."

Chapter Eleven
     
    "Thank you for helping me on such short
notice. I do appreciate it more than you could ever know," Lynx
said, escorting Matt through the castle hallways. They moved
quickly to his father's main office.
    "Of course, Father," Matt said.
    "Please, watch the door. Seth will be along
shortly."
    Matt raised an eyebrow at
the mention of the prophet. This wouldn't be the first time he'd
met the boy, but it was the first time he'd been involved with him
in any way. Lynx mentioned him in passing and explained how the
child had a great divine purpose. The details were still hidden
from Matt, however. Apparently, it was privileged information that
not even he was
privy to. Maybe today would