First Hero Read Online Free

say it. He looked into his friend’s face. “They’ll kill us all. They’ve already razed Harron to the ground. They nearly killed Drew.”
    A murmur of fresh panic rippled through the villagers. Simon’s face darkened. “All those in the militia, to the armory. Anyone who can hold a weapon, get ready to fight,” he shouted, looking around. “Everyone else, into the cellars.” He turned back to Tanner. “Can you and your Beast help us?”
    Tanner’s heart pounded as he watched the villagers hurry to the armory. They emerged with grim faces, carrying crossbows, swords, clubs, and axes.
    The sound of a war horn blasted from outside the village. Fear closed over Tanner like a black cloud. He felt cold. His hands were wet with sweat.
    “Will you help us?” Simon insisted.
    “I’ll hold them off as long as I can,” Tanner said, swallowing his fear. “Organize a defense with the time I buy you.”
    Simon nodded and ran off, barking orders.
    “Go, Firepos,” Tanner cried. “Head for the fields.”
    As the Beast soared away from the village, Tanner’s heart thumped even harder. The cruel worm of doubt returned and his stomach tightened. He’d promised to hold off the army, but he’d seen the varkules, the weapons, the deadly intent in every stride the soldiers took toward Forton. He looked down at his thin tunic. One slash of a blade and his heart could be torn from his chest.
    But he had a Beast, and they did not! That was something, at least.
    “It’s our time, Firepos,” he told her. “Time to defend our home.” He could hear his own voice trembling. He’d seen death before, smelled its scent — death had taken Tanner’s father. Now it had returned.
    Even with Firepos’s training, would Tanner be able to cheat death a second time?

I can feel Tanner’s determination fighting with his fear. He steers me in a wide path, behind a copse of trees, and only a wing’s length over the ground. I understand: He means to attack the raiders from behind, before they have a chance to muster their defenses.
We swoop over a low rise, and there they are. The marching columns with their backs to us. My feathers are alive with flame.

    Tanner clung to Firepos as she let out a furious shriek and dove at one of the army’s varkule outriders. Tanner drew his sword. At the last second, sensing danger, the varkule’s head snapped around.
    Tanner leaned out from Firepos as far as he dared and, as he passed by, slashed his sword across the rider’s chest. The enemy fell with a scream, rolling and tumbling in the dirt.
    Adrenaline rushed through Tanner’s veins, and he had no time to dwell on what he had just done.
    The rear elements of the army broke ranks with anxious shouts. Tanner let out a yell of triumph as Firepos seized up two crossbowmen in her talons. He heard their cries as she dropped them into the midst of the leading column of spearmen. Men sprawled on the ground, limbs snapping like twigs. The Dragon Warrior wheeled around on his stallion. “Hold firm!” he bellowed.
    Many sprinted into the trees on either side of the road. Others crouched and lifted their crossbows, firing wildly at Firepos. A company of spearmen grouped together and pointed their weapons aloft so Firepos couldn’t get close.
    The varkules reared, but their riders brought them under control. Tanner looped away, readying himself for another pass. He could hear the crackle of flames as his Beast gathered a fireball in her talons. That would soon put them to flight.
    As he steered Firepos to face the enemy again, he saw the Dragon Warrior dismount and lay a hand on his stallion’s mane. He seemed to whisper something quietly in its ear.
    “What’s he doing?” Tanner muttered.
    The stallion shook its mane as if shaking off a swarm of angry wasps. It lifted its head and snorted. The sound carried all the way to Tanner. It reared up on its hind legs, but instead of falling back to the ground, the creature stayed perfectly balanced. Its