Heir of the Elements Read Online Free Page A

three hundred pounds. Once inside the dark tunnel, he untied his feet and kicked him into the feces-infested waters.
    “What the?” The man eyes opened wide. “What’s going on? Where am—” He closed his mouth as a stream of gunk slushed into his mouth. He spat the vile liquid as he flailed his arms in a fruitless attempt to swim against the current, which was now flowing much faster than before.
    Falcon waved. “See you.” Once the man had disappeared in the darkness, he made his way out onto the city streets.
    “That was very reckless, Falcon,” said Faith. “Nice but reckless.”
    Falcon shrugged. “Well, I had to do something. Let’s see how tough he is when he comes out at the end of the sewage system in the center of the Jugtungla Jungle.”
    “Oh my god!” shrieked the woman. “You’re Falcon Hyatt.” She crawled to the rest of the people. “I knew the stories of you being a nefarious good for nothin’ were not true.”
    “Let’s hear it for Falcon,” said Aaron in a small voice. “The hero of Ladria.”
    The crowd of people began to cheer his name. They started out low, but their voices grew with every second that passed.
    Faith looked around nervously. “This isn’t good. They’re going to draw unwanted attention.”
    “Shh…” said Falcon, but he might as well have told him to get louder, because the cheers intensified.
    “Falcon. Falcon. Falcon!”
    “We have to go,” said Falcon. He took Faith’s hand and marched quickly down the road. Two soldiers, who had apparently heard the commotion, passed them as they headed toward the cheers.
    “Where are we going?” asked Faith. “Is the pub close?”
    “Somewhat. This is the poor district. Braden’s pub is in the noble district. Let’s just hope we don’t run into any trouble along the way.”
    The way out to the noble part of town was littered with soldiers milling around. From time to time one of them would look over at Falcon and Faith, but none stopped to question them.
    “We’re getting close,” said Falcon as they left the dirt roads behind and entered the stone-paved paths. Unlike those in the poor district, the homes in this area were still in one piece. Some had shattered glass or knocked down doors, but they were still standing.
    “I wonder why they didn’t burn down these houses?” asked Faith.
    “They’re using them for quarter,” said Falcon. “It’s a common tactic practiced during sieges. They will burn down everything, except what they plan to use.” They turned the corner and entered the bazaar street. The usual shouting vendors and their stands that littered the streets were nowhere in sight. A group of soldiers were huddled at the side of the street, drinking and playing a game of stones.
    “There aren’t a lot of citizens in this area,” said Faith as they quietly made their way down.
    “You’re right,” said Falcon, noticing the same thing as well. “Maybe they were all killed.”
    Faith gasped silently. “I hope not.”
    “You wouldn’t say that if you knew them,” said Falcon, remembering how nobles had treated the peasant class. “They were mostly a lot of cruel bigots.”
    “Don’t say that. I’m sure many of them were lovely people.”
    “ Aha ,” said Falcon sarcastically. “Very lovely.”
    “Is that it?” asked Faith. She pointed to a wooden building on the left side of the street. Dozens of barrels were stacked atop each other, covering most of the windows. Above the oak door hung a sign held by a dusty rope. The dangling sign had an etching of a snake with the words ‘The Galloping Viper’ above it.
    “Yes,” said Falcon. An empty pit in his stomach grew with every step he took. He hadn’t seen Braden in years. Would he even recognize him? He held his breath as he pushed the creaky door open. The pub was filled with soldiers. Many sat at the front bar; a few others sat in tables with drinks in their hands. None of them bothered to look up at the