Key of Living Fire (The Sword of the Dragon) Read Online Free

holding up one huge claw. “But you, my faithful warrior—your duty to Oganna and to my daughters is finished.”
    Specter stared in shock and stood. “Surely I should remain with her, to watch over her and guard her against any who seeks her life. She cannot stand alone.”
    “She will not stand alone, Specter. But you will not be the one to save her when she again needs a savior. That final salvation must come from another path, another man—a man whom Letrias knows nothing of.” The dragon laughed, deep and rumbling. “Ah, the beauty of life; even in the death of those we love is the Creator’s plan revealed!”
    “Then what would you have me to do?” Specter felt his mind racing through the past years, from the lovely young dragon daughters, to the death of Dantress, to the recent achievements of Oganna. He couldn’t imagine a life without these women. After his rebirth he’d devoted himself wholly to their well-being.
    The dragon looked at the building wherein the traitor had hidden. “Auron’s destiny is uncertain. His path has wavered, and he has fallen into truly vast corruption. Follow him, and if thou should find him returned to his demonic worship, slay him before he becomes another Letrias.” The dragon pulled a small white bag from under a wing and smiled, then handed it to him. “Thy journey may be long. Take this for sustenance, courtesy of Elsie.”
    Specter bowed. “I will do as you command.” And the dragon turned, walked down the street. Its enormous body faded, became translucent, then a breeze whisked it away. The traitor crawled from the building, slowly at first, looking one way and then the other. Specter allowed his cloak to render him invisible. Auron stood, stumbled, and fell in the street. Then he appeared to stand without difficulty. What in Subterran . . .? But then the man turned, and in his hand he held the upper half of his broken staff. Its head pulsed deep purple, and then faded, blending into the night. Either Auron’s repentance had been for Specter’s benefit, or the man was simply trying to survive by whatever means necessary.
    Limping as he went, Auron proceeded down the highway and Specter followed, though he planted his feet with care so as not to alert his former pupil to his presence. Lead me where you will, Auron. I will follow. If salvation is your desire I will observe and help you along. But if you turn against me again, I will be God’s angel of death.
    Night shrouded the city. Auron followed the highway north and slept in a burned-out home. Specter checked that there were no entrances but the front one, then sat outside against the stone foundation by the doorway. He dug into the bag, fished out a warm bun, and bit into it. The sweet taste of butter filled his mouth, and he relaxed. He bowed his head and asked God’s blessing on both the food and the prophets whom he served. And then he added a prayer for Auron. “As You have forgiven me, let me forgive him. But if he will not repent, let me bring an end to him and, in so doing, to his evil. Amen.”

     
    The next day Auron rose early. He looked utterly famished, and his eyes bore a wildness and desperation Specter had never seen before. The traitor stumbled eastward across the former kingdom of Burloi. Not once did he glance back at Netroth. Before long, the mighty spire of Ar’lenon shrank out of view into the valley, until Specter could no longer discern where it lay. He remained invisible.
    Auron stopped at the first stream he came to, plunged his head in the water and then his whole body. He touched his broken staff’s head to the water’s surface and several fish floated up from the current. He tore into them, glancing about as if sensing someone was watching. Upon devouring several fish, he stepped onto the opposite bank and glanced back. His gaze swept the exact spot on which Specter stood, then passed on farther along the bank. He broke into a run, heading toward the rising sun and leaving