Chronicles of Den'dra: A Land Torn: Ancient Powers Awaken Read Online Free Page A

stepped through. He was clad in rich garments that didn’t look like they belonged in this place. The face was cruel with piercing black eyes framed by black hair.
    “ I see that you survived your journey. Not everyone does but you shouldn’t begin counting yourself fortunate quite yet.” The man’s cultured accent warned Skeln that here was a nobleman accustomed to respect from the menial classes.
    “ Why did you bring me here? I haven’t done anything wrong. I'm nobody.” Skeln tried not to think about his predicament. It helped that his curiosity had been piqued by the mysterious circumstances of his arrival.
    “ Oh, it’s a long story. You may or may not have what I'm looking for.” The man picked up a long sharp piece of iron off a cart that one of the guards pulled into the room. “Your shoulder, it seems to be healing nicely.”
    “ It’s fine.” Skeln cautiously lifted his arm. There was a little pain and tightness but it was mostly gone.
    “ You were shot in the shoulder two days ago and now, after having pulled the arrow out yourself, it is fine.” The man pulled the arrow out of his robes and looked at it with a critical eye. “Perhaps you have what I'm looking for. Is it thick skin or exceptionally hardened bone?” The last part of his comment was mumbled to himself
    “ What are you looking for?”
    “ Powers. Anything really. Elementalism, healing, any ability I can study.” With a motion of his hand the two guards that had followed him into the room seized Skeln and fastened irons on his hands and feet.
    “ Why me? I didn’t do anything!” Skeln struggled futilely against his restraints as he was hoisted up and spread eagled in front of the man.
    “ Oh hush. I suppose there is no harm in me telling you. It’s not like you will ever be able to tell anyone else” The man motioned to the guards who left the room. After they were gone he continued. “Powers as strange. Gifted to the most unworthy servants sometimes but never to those who could use them properly. That’s why I made laws that prevent them from being misused. In the hands of the right person these powers can be used for good. Now for example, if I could read people’s minds then I would know who I could trust. I wouldn’t have to torture people like you to find out if you have powers. There are many kinds of powers and all of them can be misused if the wrong people have them. Now think, if a mad man had the power to call fire, he could kill the King if he didn’t like his taxes. We can’t have that now can we? I simply want to find out how these powers work and then make sure that only the right people have them.”
    “ I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t have any powers. Just let me go.” Skeln was terrified now. The man was evidently mad. To think a boy could give him powers was ridiculous. Not to mention that these powers were illegal from the Garoche Mountains to the Draeld Swamps and everywhere in between. To be gifted was a death sentence in this kingdom.
    “ But you could have powers. Most of my subjects are powerless but some are gifted. You have no idea what I’ve learned from dissecting them” The man brushed a finger across Skeln’s hair before the boy flicked back. “The young ones are the best. The older people get the less they can survive. ”
    “ I don’t know what you are talking about! Leave me alone!” Skeln struggled again with his bonds. He only succeeded in abrading his wrists in the futile attempt. Resigning himself to his fate he glared down at the nobleman. “I'm not the one you want so why don’t you just kill me. I'm nothing but a poor peasant anyways so I will not be missed sorely.”
    “ There it is. That look of defiance. Soon you will lose it and scream for mercy.” The noble man stepped back as if to relish the moment. “Reigns, my name is Reigns. Surely you think I would be a worthy recipient of a gift but no, I have power to send armies and kill but I am