Lusam: The Dragon Mage Wars Book Three Read Online Free

of thieves to change their ways. Although no one there would have caused him any harm intentionally, at first he was ridiculed for his beliefs and views of the world by many. Not long after he arrived in camp we were viciously attacked by a roaming patrol and took heavy casualties. He saved many lives that day, and the respect the other members of our band gave him from that day forward helped cement his place among us. He came to understand the injustices we faced on a daily basis, and apparently decided to make our ‘
godless band of men and women
’ his personal mission. He started conducting sermons within our camp soon afterwards. At first his congregation was made up of only a few people.
    “As time passed, either through luck, coincidence, or his direct intervention with Aysha, no one knew, but our luck changed for the better. Patrols lessened, injuries and deaths decreased dramatically, and there was a new found prosperity in our camp. I think the real reason for the change was the fact that the priest had convinced our leaders that they didn’t need to kill people in order to rob them. Traders and travellers were no longer killed or harmed as long as they didn’t resist too much, and as a result the local authorities simply posted warnings not to travel through our forest. Of course, many did as it saved a lot of travelling time in comparison with travelling by road, but the authorities deemed it their own fault if they were robbed, due to ignoring their advice in the first place, and we were left alone for the most part.
    “The priest became almost talisman-like, and everyone wanted his blessings. His congregation grew rapidly, and I became one of his young followers. He taught me and a few other youngsters many things about life outside the forest, and instructed us all in the ways of Aysha. Many years later he was killed during one of the many raids sent by the Duke of Oakedge. He was trying to protect one of our elderly women, and was viciously cut down as he did so. They left him there to bleed out, ignoring his pleas to spare the women and children. I was there when he died. He asked me to promise him that I would not stray from the path of Aysha after he left this world. I freely made him that promise, and from that day on I have put my complete faith in Aysha for all things, and I will continue to do so for as long as I draw breath,” Alexia said quietly.
    “What was the priest’s name?” Renn asked from the darkness.
    “His name was Sigmond,” Alexia said quietly.
    “I know of whom you speak. He was a good man, and it saddens me greatly to learn of his passing in that way, but his mission was as you guessed; to spread the word of Aysha to any and all non-believers. It seems he achieved his goals. He would have considered even one saved soul worth his life, and from what I just overheard he certainly achieved that,” Renn said. “Come, let us thank Aysha for our mutual friend, and his successful life.” Alexia didn’t reply, but gladly accepted Renn’s offer and rejoined him in prayer for her old mentor and friend.

Chapter Three

    Lusam slowly and carefully followed the path, making sure his footing was good before taking each step. It was slow progress, but he knew how important it was for their plan to remain a secret from the Empire agents below.
    After about an hour the path widened and became much less steep, levelling off into a small plateau. He couldn’t see above or below, but he felt sure it remained almost vertical on both sides of him. The wide flat path would make it much easier to run, but it would leave them extremely exposed to the magical-missiles coming from the Empire agents who would be chasing them tomorrow. A few minutes later Lusam stubbed his toe on a large rock sitting in the middle of the path. After hopping around on one foot and quietly cursing to himself for a while, he felt sure he hadn’t broken anything and resumed his exploration, albeit with a little more