Silver Dragon Codex Read Online Free Page A

certain the trail leads toward your friend.”
    Belen made a soft noise, her attention focused on the scales. “But if I was really a dragon,” she whispered, “wouldn’t I remember?”
    “Shock, most likely.” Mysos’s voice was hard again, but not as angry as it had sounded before. “These scales are silver, as was the dragon that shed them. Such dragons, metallic dragons, are creatures of good. For one to perform such a horrible act of vengeance and cruelty is entirely against their character. Nevertheless, this dragon performed a horrible, villainous act. Villagers on the outskirts of town saw the silver dragon sweep through the trees, attack buildings with its claws, and rip the village apart. Only a few escaped with their lives. The rest … were lost.
    “I myself saw the cold, snowy traces of a silver dragon’s breath in the wreckage, and the unmistakable marks of dragon claws in the ground. If any other dragon had been in the area that day, those fleeing villagers would have seen it—there would have been some other mark.” Mysos spoke matter-of-factly, arms folded. “There was only one dragon, and the village was destroyed.”
    “All … dead?” Belen whispered, her face paling. “Everyone in the village?”
    “Destroyed or eaten by the dragon,” Mysos answered. “Only a few who were far away, out in the forest, escaped. They said they saw a silver dragon swooping down over the trees toward the village.”
    “That’s no proof at all!” Jace blurted out. “They didn’t actually see the dragon do anything. Even if it was Belen, she could have been there to fight some other evil. Belen, do you remember anything about this village? Anything at all?”
    “I’m trying,” she said, squeezing his hand. “There’s nothing but darkness. I can’t remember.” She looked up at him, tears in the corners of her eyes. “I can’t imagine destroying an entire village, killing all those people, even if I had the power to do so. It just doesn’t feel right. I wouldn’t hurt anyone, Jace. If it was me, I must have had a reason. I must have been tricked, or under the power of some evil magic.”
    On Worver’s shoulder, the slick-furred gray animal crooned. “There, there, dear,” Worver said, patting Belen’s hand. “I believe you. These charges sound completely ridiculous.” Belen grasped Worver’s hand, and the pudgy man smiled beneath his thick handlebar mustache. “We’re not going to let you go without a fight, my dear girl, I can grant you that.” The ringmaster’s words were brave, buthis eyes flicked to Mysos as if he expected the White Robe to take out a ruler and smack him across the back of his hand for such impudence.
    Jace stepped forward. “Master Mysos? Since Belen’s been here, she’s been good to everyone. She helps with chores, goes out of her way to watch the children when other people are rehearsing, and she’s never so much as hurt a fly. You can’t arrest her when she doesn’t remember anything.”
    “Oh, can’t I?” Mysos raised a thick eyebrow. “And why not?”
    “Because it wouldn’t be fair!” Jace argued. “You can’t have a trial if she can’t remember anything. Belen gets a chance to argue on her own behalf, right? If she can’t justify what happened or find witnesses to prove her story, then it’s just a sham. You said silver dragons don’t do this kind of thing. If someone forced her into it, or faked her attack, then
they’re
the real criminal.”
    Mysos pondered this. “Well, the circumstances are highly unusual. But still, I have proof these scales found at the ruined site belong to her. I have witnesses that place her at the village of Angvale on the day it was destroyed, and I have clear signs of a dragon attack on that village. That is enough proof for most judges to convict.”
    “Not if she can’t argue her side,” Jace said quietly. “You said you respected my father. Then you must haveknown that he had a reputation as an