Silver Dragon by Jason Halstead Read Free Book Online Page A

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    "Where's Alto?" Namitus asked when he sat down at the table in the jarl's hall where the other Blades were gathered. "I stopped by his room but he didn't answer."
    "Haven't seen him yet," Karthor said. "Last I knew he went somewhere with the jarl."
    "That boy doesn't miss a thing!" Tristam chuckled. "Ingratiating himself to the second most important man in this realm."
    "I don't think that's what he was doing," Karthor offered.
    Tristam waved the priest's defense away. "Whatever the case, he's got the jarl's favor and that's a good thing. Good for him and good for us!"
    Namitus chuckled. "I suspect Lady Patrina had as much to do with that as he did."
    The others shared the rogue's mirth, save for Garrick. The barbarian ate heartily through the small talk, and then looked up when two new people entered the hallway. Lady Kenna walked beside Caitlyn, taking her to a table and even sitting beside her. A few moments later, Lady Patrina entered the hall. She wore a yellow and white dress that was more the Kingdom fashion than the simple dresses preferred by the Kelgryn.
    "Uh oh," Namitus muttered.
    "What's the matter?" Tristam followed the rogue's eyes to Patrina.
    "Something's happened to Trina. The way she's acting and that dress, it's not like her."
    "What do you mean?"
    "I don't know ; it's just too stuffy. Too royal for her," he tried to explain. "Too feminine."
    "Why would she do that?" Mordrim asked through a mouthful of food. "She's looking as fine as a woman without a beard can look!"
    Garrick coughed as he took a drink of ale, spraying it over the dwarf. Mordrim closed his eyes and reached up to wipe the liquid off, and then he glared at the barbarian. "You're disgusting," Garrick declared.
    "You just spat on me!" Mordrim howled back. "You're the disgusting one!"
    "Boys, settle down," Tristam warned before they grew too raucous.
    "What did I miss?" Kar asked after he hurried across the room to join them at their table. A servant brought out a plate of food for Namitus but Kar snatched it from him. "Lucky for me, not breakfast!"
    "Hey!" the rogue cried out.
    "Funny, shouldn't you be the one with the quick fingers?" Kar teased.
    While Namitus scowled Karthor spoke, "We were wondering where Alto was. Nobody's seen him since he left with the jarl last night. Unless you've seen him?"
    Kar nodded and chewed the steaming food. He followed it with a quick swallow of water before saying, "I saw him."
    "Where is he?" Tristam asked.
    Kar shrugged and chewed his way through another mouthful.
    "You just said you seen him," Tristam pushed.
    "I said that and it's true, but that doesn’t mean I know where he is now."
    Tristam growled and slammed his hand on the table. "Wizard, don't toy with me. Where's the man at?"
    "Beat the table till you've broken it to splinters, I don't know where the lad is. I saw him last night when he was heading out to the stables. He rode off on Sebas and bid me farewell. Said he was going someplace safe."
    Kar kept eating while everyone else stared at him in open -mouthed shock. Even Garrick lowered his fork back to his plate. Namitus spoke first, after turning to glance at Patrina again. "That explains it; they've had a falling out."
    "You think a row with the princess would make him run away?" Kar chuckled.
    "You got other ideas?" Tristam asked while glaring at the mage.
    Kar shrugged. "Man like Alto doesn't run from trouble."
    "What's that supposed to mean?"
    Kar sighed. "I told you as much as I know. I—"
    "Wait." Tristam stopped him and rose up. "Come with me. Let's get to the bottom of this."
    "But, my food!" Kar whined.
    "You're not wanting for a decent meal," Tristam said.
    Kar frowned but rose up and followed Tristam. The other Blades stood to follow, giving Namitus a chance to steal back his food and carry it with him while he took care to stay behind the others.
    "Alto's gone," Tristam announced.
    Patrina had looked everywhere save for the Blades of Leander as they approached. Now her