Dragonhold (Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

or to evoke compassion, Sinjin didn't really care.
    "If you don't see mushrooms downstream," Chase said, "try lighting a signal fire in the Chinawpa Valley within sight of Dragonhold's rear entrance, but I wouldn't stick around. Allette has forces outside the hold, and I wouldn't trust them, truce or not. For the same reason, I'd avoid the Pinook Valley no matter what."
    "He'll need coin, preserved food in a waxed pack, and one herald globe," Trinda said. A look at Bernerd sent him scrambling to gather the items. Sinjin wanted to follow, to find out where Trinda had hidden the herald globes. He wondered if Merk knew where she'd stashed them and resolved to get the younger man alone soon. Sevellon looked to be having similar thoughts, but Brother Vaughn and Catrin were inspecting his clothes for anything they could do to increase his chances of survival. The best they were able to suggest was tying off a pair of breeches and using them to hold air. He could use them for flotation and a few precious extra breaths.
    "You'll want all the air you can get," Brother Vaughn said with haunted eyes. "And take lots of deep breaths before you go under. This should also help."
    Sevellon looked as if he had made the choice between a quick and slow death. There was no joy in it, only relief. When the guard returned with a full pack, the thief wore a sad smile. "I'm ready."
     
    * * *
     
    Descending into darkness for what seemed an eternity, Durin wondered if the infernal stairway might continue all the way to the center of Godsland. Memories of his lessons regarding the underworld conjured frightening images he did his best to banish. The three men climbed in near silence, any words echoing harshly within the well. Though living in such a place was unimaginable to Durin, Catrin had done so, and he imagined all kinds of creatures who might also live there. No matter how hard he tried to change the direction of his thoughts, each step took him closer to madness.
    "I don't like this place one bit," Osbourne said. Strom cast him an accusing glare as his words echoed. "You don't really think we can sneak in here unnoticed, do you?"
    Discarding stealth felt unnatural even if Osbourne was right.
    "No sense announcing our arrival, either," Strom said in a whisper. "No matter how hopeless this may seem, I've no intention of dying today."
    Osbourne quieted and they climbed once again enveloped in naught but silence and a small bubble of amber light. The statuette was warm, and Durin took comfort from its light. Each of them had held the figurine for a time, but Strom alone could control the light with his mind. The figurine had been left there for them; that much was certain. The wind had guided them to the softly glowing statuette; it hadn't been a chance wind. Dragons had brought them here for reasons all their own, but it added up to their being guided toward some greater purpose. He just hoped the hand guiding them was one he could trust.
    Any comfort was welcome in the pervasive darkness, and for a brief time, Durin was unafraid. The monotonous climb also dulled his senses. When the stairway ended, his anxiety returned in full force, making his heart race and his knees tremble. Already his legs and calves ached from the climb, leaving him unsteady on his feet. Strom and Osbourne slowed and stopped on the final stair, as if about to step into another realm from which they might never return. The fact that this wasn't an unreasonable expectation set Durin's guts to churning.
    Without a word, Strom caused the figurine to glow more brightly, illuminating a dragon's head, jaws agape. Light danced over carved black stone, making it look alive and momentarily startling them. To proceed, one must willingly walk into a dragon's jaws. Durin swallowed hard. Strom placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder. Together three men entered the underworld. None was completely surprised when the jaws closed behind them. Durin realized there was a limit to how much