The Dragon's Champion by Sam Ferguson, Bob Kehl Read Free Book Online

multi-faceted war. There
are many different factions vying for power in the realm. Some factions are
friendly to King Mathias, some are neutral, and others are extremely hostile.”
    “But if the
enemy isn’t unified, how can it threaten us?”
    “You aren’t
hearing what I am saying,” Dimwater said. Her tone grew impatient. “The kingdom
is not unified either. We have enemies from within and without. It’s too
complicated to lay it all out for you now. Just understand that even the noble
lords are divided against each other. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the
Masters were also involved. You’ll catch on quick enough. After we return, you
can ask Lepkin about it. He’ll be mad that I told you, but I think even he will
see the wisdom in helping you understand your role in the events to come.”
Dimwater clapped her hands and a mirror appeared in the center of the room.
    Erik watched as
green, blue, and purple streaks of lightning sparked over the mirror’s surface.
Each spark was heralded by a crackle just loud enough for Erik to hear before
the bolts streaked across the glass. After a minute of this, a pale light
emitted from the glass. The light became brighter as the lightning bolts
coursed through the mirror instead of over it. As Erik watched, the faint
outline of houses became visible in the mirror. The view became clearer and
showed pine trees, people, pigs, cottages, and a stone altar.
    “Take my hand,”
Dimwater instructed. Erik took her hand and then Dimwater ran straight for the
mirror. Erik balked at first, but Dimwater dragged him through the portal. As
Erik passed into the mirror he was blinded by a searing white light. He tried
to say something, but his voice wouldn’t work. He tried to turn back, but
Dimwater’s grip was too strong. When the light vanished Erik found himself
standing on dirt in front of the stone altar he had seen in the mirror.
    “Stand up
straight,” Dimwater commanded. “People are watching, and we must make a good
impression.”
    Erik struggled
to keep his legs steady as he looked around. There were probably fifty or sixty
peasants standing around them. It was obvious that they hadn’t been expecting a
visit from a sorceress. Some of the men carried fire-wood on their backs in
large packs, while women carried buckets or baskets. Erik saw a few children
peeking around their mothers’ legs, while some older teenagers stood near a
pigpen watching intently.
    “I have come to
speak with Baltezer. Where is he?” Dimwater produced a wizard’s staff with a
snap of her fingers. She slammed the bottom of the staff onto the hard packed
dirt below her and a most terrible thunder clap roared over the town. Some of
the villagers fell on their knees, grabbing their ears.
    “I am here,
sorceress,” a man called out from behind the altar. “There is no need for your
theatrics.”
    “Nor is there
any need for yours, Baltezer,” Dimwater replied sharply.
    Erik watched the
dark-haired man come forward through the crowd. He wore long, cream colored
robes of silk. A black crescent moon was embroidered on the front, just above
Baltezer’s heart. He walked with his hands clasped behind his back and a smile
on his face. His head was slightly bowed, yet despite his humble appearance,
Erik felt extremely uncomfortable.
    “Pray tell, what
can the humble village of Spiekery do for you?” Baltezer asked.
    “My business is
not with the people of Spiekery, it is with you,” Dimwater replied. She then
set a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “Pull the scroll from your pocket and read the
charges,” she instructed Erik.
    Erik looked down
and was astonished to see that he was now dressed in black silken robes. He
pulled a scroll out of the pocket and opened it. His eyes went wide when he saw
the list of charges.
    “Go on and read
them, and do try to sound authoritative,” Dimwater whispered.
    Erik composed
himself and read the scroll out loud for all to hear. “Baltezer the Brown, by
the