Erik And The Dragon ( Book 4) Read Online Free

reassuring gaze and nodded. Lepkin gave one of his few smiles and pulled the sword from his belt. “This blade was given to me when I became the Keeper of Secrets. Now that I have fulfilled one of my tasks, I give it to you, the Champion of Truth.”
    Erik’s eyes looked at the blade and he took it from Lepkin’s hands. “For me?” he whispered.
    “Alferug told me that you have been able to summon the white fire. Even without taking the Exalted Test of Arophim, I know I have found the true champion. The sword is yours. Wield it in defense of truth, and light.”
    Erik was about to express his thanks, but he couldn’t find the words before Marlin, Dimwater, Jaleal, and Alferug approached. The boy turned to them and could see they had some things on their minds.
    “We have been thinking,” Lady Dimwater said. “Perhaps we should decide how best to track the dragon and kill it.”
    Marlin nodded. “If he was able to deceive all of us, then we should not let this opportunity pass us by.”
    Lepkin nodded. “I agree. First, we need to hide this book again, and then we should seek the dragon, and slay it.”
    “Where will we hide the book?” Erik asked.
    “Only one place to hide it,” Lepkin replied. “We will take it to Tualdern.”
    “The city of the Sand Elves?” Alferug asked.
    Lepkin nodded. “It was they who helped us forge the mithril box which holds the book. They have a better understanding than most of its dark powers, and they will be anxious to keep it hidden.”
    “Plus,” Tatev put in. “I doubt anyone would think to look for the book in the place its magic was first used.” Erik looked to the librarian questioningly and Tatev smiled and winked. “Tualdern is on the eastern side of Hamath Valley, it is where Nagar first used the magic.”
    “And it is where countless men, dwarves, and dragons fought tooth and nail over the cursed thing,” Faengoril growled.
    “It is the best option I can think of,” Lepkin said. “The elves keep to themselves for the most part, and hardly anyone ever ventures into Hamath Valley anymore.”
    “With good reason,” Marlin added. “It is not a very welcoming place anymore.”
    “True,” Lady Dimwater said. “But it is the best choice.”
    “I should take our cavedogs north, back to Roegudok Hall,” Faengoril said. “I will inform our king of what has transpired and seek his assistance in defeating the dragon.” He turned to Lepkin. “After you place the book with the elves, where will you go?”
    “To Ten Forts,” he said.
    “Right, right,” Tatev agreed. “Tu’luh will go back to Demaverung, and Ten Forts is the best place for us to stage our assault.”
    Alferug glanced to Faengoril briefly and the two nodded sullenly. “We’ll see you there as soon as we can raise the army,” Faengoril promised.
    “I will send my warriors to Fort Drake,” Marlin said. “I have only forty men left, and they will be appreciated at Fort Drake. If I take them to Ten Forts, they will not be as useful. I will go with you, though.”
    “As will I,” Jaleal said. “I am with you to the end.”
    “I am not letting you out of my sight,” Dimwater told Lepkin. Her tone was half playful, but still it made Lepkin squirm a bit. The others walked away then, leaving Lepkin, Jaleal, and Erik alone together.
    “You know,” Lepkin started. “I noticed a few additional scars across my body. Mind telling me why you were so careless as to let someone stab my leg, shoulder, and stomach?”
    Jaleal laughed out loud and clapped his hands together. “You should be thankful that you have scars!” he said emphatically. “Before I got to you, they were not so neatly healed.”
    Lepkin turned on the gnome. “Oh?” he asked.
    Jaleal produced his spear. “Aeolbani has more than a couple of useful powers,” he said with a big grin. “Why, if it wasn’t for me, I bet you would have slept through the whole battle with the dragon.” The gnome grinned proudly and