The Last Talisman by Licia Troisi Read Free Book Online Page A

eye.
    â€œLook out for yourself, and don’t take any risks you don’t have to,” Varen advised.
    Sennar forced a smile. “When this is all over, you and I will celebrate together.”
    When Sennar reached the port, he found the knight waiting for him. The knight’s dragon was a small a Blue Dragon, and the knight himself seemed young and inexperienced. As soon as he saw Sennar, the knight greeted him with an awkward bow. “Dragon Knight Aymar, at your service,” he introduced himself.
    Falere seemed young for his rank; Aymar was little more than a child. Aymar’s dark hair fell in curls to his shoulders and his gawky body seemed to have developed too quickly. A child in a young man’s body. The sorcerer regarded him suspiciously.
    â€œRight. We have three days to cover the entire coast of the Land of the Sea,” Sennar began. The knight looked back at him wide-eyed. “Which means we’ll have to travel night and day, without rest.”
    â€œBut … my dragon will never manage such a long flight—” Aymar protested.
    Sennar cut him off with a wave of his hand. “I know. I’m quite familiar with Blue Dragons. The fact remains, I only have your help for the next three days, and time is of the essence on this mission. I’m asking you sincerely to do your best.”
    The boy nodded, clearly unconvinced.
    Sennar was about to mount the dragon when Aymar grabbed him by the arm. “Sir, my dragon will never allow you on his back if I don’t ask him first.”
    Sennar smiled. “I’m a sorcerer. It’ll be fine,” he said, and in fact, the dragon gave no sign of irritation when Sennar hopped on its back. Sennar looked down toward the boy, whose face wore an expression of utter bewilderment. “The sooner we leave, the sooner we get there,” he urged.
    The knight took his turn at mounting the dragon. It was an unusually complex process, and it took Aymar two tries. Once mounted, he seemed ill at ease, sitting with his back unnaturally straight. Sennar’s doubts increased.
    â€œEverything okay?” he dared to ask.
    â€œOf course, sir,” the boy blurted. He gave the harness a firm tug, inspiring nothing but an annoyed grunt from his dragon. Aymar tugged again at the harness, yanking until his dragon let out a ferocious growl. “This has never happened before. … It’s just, I haven’t been a knight for very long. …” he muttered, trying to excuse himself.
    Really? I would have never thought … “May I?” Sennar cut in.
    Aymar’s cheeks flushed beet red. “Certainly.”
    The sorcerer leaned forward and whispered in the dragon’s ear. “Okay, try now. But go easy,” he said.
    Aymar tugged the harness and at last they were in the air.
    â€œIt takes patience and resolve, but respect, as well,” Sennar explained.
    Aymar took note of the lesson. “I can’t thank you enough, sir,” he murmured.
    â€œAnd one last thing …” Sennar added. “Please, there’s no need to call me ‘sir.’”
    â€œAs you wish, sir,” the knight replied.
    Sennar held true to his word. He insisted they fly as fast as possible, and when the sun sank into the sea and day gave way to night, they pushed onward. It was an exhausting trip, a race against time. Midnight had long passed when they finally stopped. They had reached the central desert.
    They had no choice but to set up camp under the stars, and the cold was biting. The moment Sennar was sure Aymar had dozed off, he checked the amulet and gave a sigh of relief. The leaves were still intact.
    The sorcerer rose before the sun. A whitish pre-dawn glow lit the horizon. Aymar slept beside him, his head resting on his dragon’s neck.
    Sennar shook him, but the gesture had no effect. The dragon opened his eyes. The knight, meanwhile, was motionless, curled up in peaceful sleep.
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