Doom of the Dragon Read Online Free Page A

Akaria, the Goddess of the Sea; Freilis, Goddess of the Tally. Each of the gods had given the people of the world a gift and chosen a part of the world to rule.
    Joabis had given mankind the gift of ale and wine and chosen to rule the Isle of Revels, taking those souls who had spent their lives in riotous living. While the Vindrasi appreciated Joabis’s gifts, particularly the ale, they had small use for drunkenness and debauchery.
    â€œWhen I come back to this Hall a hero, I will embrace my father and ask his forgiveness,” Skylan continued. “Until then, do not let him know I am here. I would not add to his disappointment in me.”
    â€œYou are learning, Fish Knife,” said Torval, regarding him with approval. “Though I must say it’s taken you long enough. I will send your father and his friends out on patrol.”
    He summoned one of the warriors, who went to carry his orders to Norgaard. Skylan watched his father arm himself with shield and sword, put on his helm and walk proudly from the Hall. He was no longer in constant pain from the broken ankle that had never properly healed. He no longer walked with the aid of a stick. Skylan could grieve his loss, but, as he said, his father had died a good death.
    Torval motioned to a small table and two chairs that had been placed in front of the fire. “For better or ill, Fish Knife, you agreed to this wager with Joabis. Set up the dragonbones, play your game, and then be gone.”
    Skylan looked around for Joabis and found him circulating among the crowd of warriors, trying to interest them in making side bets. Skylan sat down at the table and began to set up the game, which took some time.
    The game board was made of oak, and painted with pictures of the sun and the moon and the stars, dragons and dragonships, swords and shields, trees and mountains and seas. Paths marked with runes wound among them.
    Skylan began to divvy up the “bones,” giving half to himself and half to Joabis. The bones were made of antler carved into different shapes, painted different colors, all of them marked with runes. Players cast the bones on the table and then moved the pieces according to the runes inscribed on them. He was counting out the bones when he heard a bench scrape and he looked up to see Garn taking a seat across from him.
    â€œMy friend! I am glad to see you!” said Skylan.
    â€œI am glad to see you, but not in such poor company,” said Garn with a frowning glance at Joabis, who was shouting loudly for more ale. “What is going on?”
    â€œYou remember how you told me my wyrd was strong and that only I could sever it?” Skylan said.
    â€œI do, yes,” Garn replied.
    â€œWell, it seems you were right. According to the Norn I died and yet I didn’t,” said Skylan and explained what the Norn had told him.
    â€œI am trapped betwixt life and death and I have no idea how to get back,” Skylan concluded despondently. “Joabis offered me this wager. What else could I do?”
    â€œThe question is—how did you come to be here?” said Garn, regarding Skylan intently. “You are not dead. You could not have found Torval’s Hall on your own. Freilis brought me and the others. Some god must have led you here.”
    â€œThat’s true,” said Skylan, struck by the notion. “I hadn’t considered that. Do you have any ideas?”
    â€œAs far as I know, Torval and the other gods were with us, doing battle with Aelon’s demonic hordes.”
    â€œAll the gods?”
    â€œAll except Joabis,” said Garn.
    He and Skylan both turned to look at the god and Skylan thought back to their meeting in front of the Hall. “When I first met him, he said he was here to talk to Torval. He seemed deathly afraid. When I spoke to him, he nearly jumped out of his skin.”
    â€œBe on your guard,” Garn warned. “He is plotting something.”
    They were both