A Shadow Flame (Book 7) Read Online Free Page B

weapons remained buried, along with the blades themselves."
    "A number of them were hidden in plain view," Borrican said, and he held up the large, weathered and scarred battleaxe that had been retrieved from the field, the weapon his uncle had wielded before it fell into the hands of the Darga prince. "This jeweled axe that belonged to my uncle, and swords of a similar fashion have been in the possession of many throughout the lands."
    "That is true, but few understood their power or were even aware of what these weapons were," Kroma replied. "I am curious to know, how did the blade of this axe come to be in such a state?"
    "I burned it with my fire, when I fought Draxis," Lexi said as Borrican handed the axe to Brian, so the god within him could inspect it more closely.
    "Dragonfire should not burn metal such as this," Kroma rumbled as he thumbed the melted edge of the blade, then he looked at Lexi, his gaze seeming to penetrated the shadows underneath her hood. "Your fire is not that of a dragon alone, for you also have the power of Stroma within you."
    Lexi was not sure how to respond to the deep voice of the god that seemed to shake the very ground whenever he spoke, and now she worried that her fire was different, then maybe she should not have warmed the dragon eggs. She was also afraid that he might wish vengeance upon her for killing Stroma, but she could sense no malice from him, and the few times he had spoken with his other voice, that of the one called Brian, she could feel only curiosity and an odd quickness in his voice, which made her feel very strange.
    "Let us focus on the matter at hand," Ariana said. "We must free Maramyr from Calexis and this dark god within her, that controls the power of the shadow. We may have defended this land from an attack, but there is much damage that has been done, and I feel as though the longer we wait, the stronger our enemy becomes. If we are to save Maramyr and its people, we must move quickly."
    "The dark god has already become powerful," Kroma said. "If we are to succeed in this, we must also be ready to do what must be done."
    "You speak of destroying my kingdom and many of its people," Ariana said with a frown.
    "If we are to drive the shadow from the world, then it may be that we have no other choice," Kroma replied.
    "What about Aaron?" Lexi asked. "Ehlena said he was trying to do something to stop the Xallan Queen." Her lip curled when she mentioned her mother.
    "The Lady feels and hears many things on the wind," Kroma said. "I can also feel the tremors of magic at work in the land of Maramyr, the power of the shadow as it grows, but it is true, the goddess has said that there are others who work against the shadow even as we speak. Perhaps their efforts will be of use." Brian insisted on speaking next. "And, of course, we will do everything we can to help Aaron and save the people of Maramyr."
    "Good," Ariana said, relieved when the others nodded in agreement as her thoughts drifted to Aaron, and she wondered what part he might play in the efforts to stop Calexis. "It is my duty to protect the people of my kingdom, but I know we must stop this god and the shadow, or the destruction we have seen here in the elven forest will be only one of many horrors to befall the world. If all else fails, then we will do what must be done and destroy the shadow."
    "If Lady Vale is willing to fly with me, I would seek allies, defenders, who would help us in this task," Brian offered, then he turned to Kaleb. "Kaleb, your Bordermen, Fergus and the others, the defenders of White Falls, they would gladly stand for Maramyr."
    "Of course they will," Kaleb replied with a grin. "You know what a loyal and determined bunch they are. Give the lads my orders, Brian. We rally for the kingdom."
    "I will," Brian said, then he turned to Vale. "Lady Vale, would you be willing to travel with me to the east?"
    "You wish for me to fly you there?" she asked.
    "If you would not mind," Brian replied, a