Redemption Of The Sacred Land (Book 3) by Mark Tyson Read Free Book Online

manipulating my feelings, my thoughts.”
    “I am Sylvalora,” the woman insisted.
    “Then tell me my mother’s name. My father once told me that they were married at court in front of the Silver Drake. You would know her name. Tell me.”
    “Why would your father keep her name from you?”
    Tatrice lowered her head and looked at her hands. “He loved her but couldn’t bare talking about her. He told me her name once, when I was small, but I am ashamed to say I have forgotten it. He would get so upset talking about her, I never asked him again. I would know it if I heard it.”
    “Are you sure you are ready to learn such knowledge?”
    “Aye. I’m ready.”
    Toborne stood from his chair and put his hand on Sylvalora’s shoulder. “I don’t think that would be wise. Besides, knowing her mother’s name will not prove to the girl that you are Sylvalora.”
    Sylvalora gave Tatrice a sympathetic stare. “I disagree. I think it would prove it to her. Your mother still lives, and I think it would be better if she were to tell you. It is tragic that you don’t know your mother and your sister doesn’t know your father.”
    “My sister. I have a sister?” Tatrice stood up.
    “You do have an older sister, aye. And your mother’s name is Valloney, just like your mid name.”
    Tatrice contemplated what she was hearing. “Toborne was right. I can’t trust anything you say to be true. You can’t prove who you are to me with words. My mother, my sister, it could be all a ruse to manipulate me for all I know.”
    “How may I convince you, then?”
    Tatrice suddenly saw an opportunity. “Prove it. Change into the Silver Drake.”
    “If I do, I will not return to the visage of the elf maiden. I will look like someone else.”
    “That matters little to me. Once I see the Silver Drake, I will know you speak the truth.”
    Sylvalora backed away from Tatrice and began to change form.
    Toborne put down his pipe on the reeve’s desk. “No, Sylvalora!”
    Tatrice reacted instinctively. She seized the Silver Drake as soon as she changed form and pointed the living statue at Toborne. “You get back!”
    The Silver Drake screeched.
    “Silver Drake, I direct you now. Break the spell of whatever it is in this room that is fogging our minds,” Tatrice commanded.
    “I wouldn’t do that, fair Tatrice,” Toborne warned.
    “Aye, you would!”
    “Listen to me, she doesn’t like to be told how to use her magic. Believe me, I have been at this far longer than you. Direct commands are not good.”
    The Silver Drake pulled herself from Tatrice’s grasp and turned on her. The drake let out a deafening screech.
    “You see. She isn’t exactly pleasant in this form,” Toborne said as he moved to stand behind the high back of the chair. “The Silver Drake is a creature of free will. I would suggest you ask her nicely to return to the form of Sylvalora, and swiftly.”
    Tatrice quickly realized she did not have the situation in hand. “Please, Silver Drake, I believe you. Let me talk to Sylvalora, please.”
    The Silver Drake screeched, and Tatrice dropped it. The living statue landed on the floor and began to change, returning to the appearance of a woman. This time, she had raven black hair and sapphire blue eyes.
    “Forgive me, dear, the Silver Drake and I are two sides of the same coin. I am very different in that form, which is why I choose not to stay in it,” she said.
    “Sylvalora?”
    “Aye, it is me.”
    “But you look just like an older Lady Shey now.”
    “No dear, Lady Shey looks like a younger me.” She went to the nearest window to look at her reflection. “Aye, this is how I looked when I gave birth to her.”
    “Lady Shey?”
    Sylvalora turned to Toborne. “Why is that always the reaction?”
    “It is the price of revealing secrets, my dear.” He picked back up his pipe and went back to his chair. “Allow me,” he said. “Sylvalora is a living, breathing woman. The goddess of life, Loracia,