A Shadow Flame (Book 7) Read Online Free
Author: Jordan Baker
forest," Nathas said, glancing over at Brian as he approached the table.
"What of the soldiers under the command of Lord Berant?" Ariana asked, her thoughts still foggy from the warmth and steam, as well as the strange sensations in her thoughts she had been experiencing since birthing the three dragon eggs. She blinked and tried to focus on the matters at hand, turning to Berant and giving him a nod and acknowledging his presence.
"I still have reservations about the wisdom of allowing those forces to fight alongside the main army," Nathas said, glancing over at the general.
"It appears Berant has cleansed himself of the magic by using a godsword to draw it away from him," Kroma rumbled. "It is similar to the power of these Watchers of Kandara."
"Yes, Dala and her people were able to free Kandara using stones similar to the ones in the godswords," Borrican said, and both Keira and Margo nodded. "Perhaps we can ask for their assistance. It would be better if our soldiers were freed of any possible compulsion by Calexis or this dark god."
"The soldiers follow my commands, Prince Borrican, Princess Ariana" Berant said, his voice dry and quiet as he gave them both a respectful bow of his head. "They can fight, and no doubt many would like a chance to redeem themselves."
"We do not hold them responsible, nor you, general," Borrican told him. "My people of Kandara were made victim of the same foul magic, so there is no need to explain, apologize or redeem yourself, now that you are free of it. We understand that it was not your choice."
"Thank you, Prince Borrican," Berant said. "Your understanding is much appreciated."
"If we could free them, I think that would be best," Ariana said. "While I welcome their numbers, I do not want anyone to march to war against their will, nor do I wish to see our loyal soldiers of Maramyr remain in the grip of magic. I am not my uncle nor am I anything like Calexis, and though it is tempting to consider these soldiers as useful, for we will need every sword, I must insist that they be set free before they are marched into battle."
"We brought a supply of the stones from Kandara, in case there were any others who had fallen prey to such magic," Keira said, then she turned to the Kandaran ranger, who stood next to her. "Margo has been instructed in their use."
"Then we should use the stones," Borrican said. "It is truly fortuitous that you have come."
"It is hardly fortuitous, highness," Margo said, giving him a sharp look, for she had not been pleased at having been left behind in Kandara. "And we do not have thousands of the stones, and I know that Dala has only a few left in Kandara, so if we want more of them, we will need to return to the northern lands."
"May I see one of these stones?" Kroma asked, and Margo reached into the pouch at her belt, then handed one of them to him.
"Ariana," Keira said, as Kroma inspected the stone. "I would like to continue to be your guard, if you will allow it."
"Of course, Keira," Ariana replied, aware that both she and Margo preferred to remain close to her and Borrican. "Though I hope you do not mind taking another ride on a dragon, at least until we reach the army."
"If I must," Keira said, and her determined look made it obvious that she intended that Ariana should not leave her sight.
"I would come as well," Margo said to Borrican.
"Yes, of course," Borrican replied. "I am glad that you and Keira were able to oversee the freeing of the Kandaran people, but we are glad that you have returned to us."
"Dala and her people have things well in hand," Margo told him. "But the people will need to hear from the dragon throne at some point."
"Once we have defeated Calexis, we will return to Kandara," Borrican said, still uncomfortable at the thought that he should ascend the throne and declare himself king, for it was not something he had ever considered, since his brother Elric had always been groomed for the crown. "For now, let us deal with the
"What of the soldiers under the command of Lord Berant?" Ariana asked, her thoughts still foggy from the warmth and steam, as well as the strange sensations in her thoughts she had been experiencing since birthing the three dragon eggs. She blinked and tried to focus on the matters at hand, turning to Berant and giving him a nod and acknowledging his presence.
"I still have reservations about the wisdom of allowing those forces to fight alongside the main army," Nathas said, glancing over at the general.
"It appears Berant has cleansed himself of the magic by using a godsword to draw it away from him," Kroma rumbled. "It is similar to the power of these Watchers of Kandara."
"Yes, Dala and her people were able to free Kandara using stones similar to the ones in the godswords," Borrican said, and both Keira and Margo nodded. "Perhaps we can ask for their assistance. It would be better if our soldiers were freed of any possible compulsion by Calexis or this dark god."
"The soldiers follow my commands, Prince Borrican, Princess Ariana" Berant said, his voice dry and quiet as he gave them both a respectful bow of his head. "They can fight, and no doubt many would like a chance to redeem themselves."
"We do not hold them responsible, nor you, general," Borrican told him. "My people of Kandara were made victim of the same foul magic, so there is no need to explain, apologize or redeem yourself, now that you are free of it. We understand that it was not your choice."
"Thank you, Prince Borrican," Berant said. "Your understanding is much appreciated."
"If we could free them, I think that would be best," Ariana said. "While I welcome their numbers, I do not want anyone to march to war against their will, nor do I wish to see our loyal soldiers of Maramyr remain in the grip of magic. I am not my uncle nor am I anything like Calexis, and though it is tempting to consider these soldiers as useful, for we will need every sword, I must insist that they be set free before they are marched into battle."
"We brought a supply of the stones from Kandara, in case there were any others who had fallen prey to such magic," Keira said, then she turned to the Kandaran ranger, who stood next to her. "Margo has been instructed in their use."
"Then we should use the stones," Borrican said. "It is truly fortuitous that you have come."
"It is hardly fortuitous, highness," Margo said, giving him a sharp look, for she had not been pleased at having been left behind in Kandara. "And we do not have thousands of the stones, and I know that Dala has only a few left in Kandara, so if we want more of them, we will need to return to the northern lands."
"May I see one of these stones?" Kroma asked, and Margo reached into the pouch at her belt, then handed one of them to him.
"Ariana," Keira said, as Kroma inspected the stone. "I would like to continue to be your guard, if you will allow it."
"Of course, Keira," Ariana replied, aware that both she and Margo preferred to remain close to her and Borrican. "Though I hope you do not mind taking another ride on a dragon, at least until we reach the army."
"If I must," Keira said, and her determined look made it obvious that she intended that Ariana should not leave her sight.
"I would come as well," Margo said to Borrican.
"Yes, of course," Borrican replied. "I am glad that you and Keira were able to oversee the freeing of the Kandaran people, but we are glad that you have returned to us."
"Dala and her people have things well in hand," Margo told him. "But the people will need to hear from the dragon throne at some point."
"Once we have defeated Calexis, we will return to Kandara," Borrican said, still uncomfortable at the thought that he should ascend the throne and declare himself king, for it was not something he had ever considered, since his brother Elric had always been groomed for the crown. "For now, let us deal with the
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