The Blind Dragon Read Online Free Page A

him over onto his stomach like a trussed pig, pulling the lordling's hands behind his back and binding his wrists with a leather thong from the birthing basket. Then he rolled Layne back over, grabbed him by the front of his doublet, and hauled him up from the straw.
    "Through which pass does Lord Fel come?" the Master asked him calmly. "Which pass?"
    Lord Layne wheezed and stared. His eyes had gone glassy; he couldn't answer. Master Khondus dropped him to the floor. The dragon foal leaned over the lordling, its fangs gleaming.
    "Three days," Master Khondus said. His voice was calm, but when he looked at Anna, she saw that his eyes were black with rage. "We have three days."
    The Master glanced at the foal. It was leaning farther over Lord Layne, wickedly licking its fangs. The lordling wheezed, his legs churning the straw, eyes wide with terror.
    Master Khondus turned to Anna. "We must gather Master Zar, Master Borónd, Captain Fyr, and our other captains. We need to tell our allies in the minor houses. Your mother must know, as well. Lord Fel comes—."
    He stopped and looked at the dragon foal.
    "Sir?" Anna started, following the Master's gaze.
    "And our work isn't yet done here," Master Khondus said.
    Her hands went cold, the understanding coming quickly. With everything she'd just seen, she'd forgotten why she'd fetched the hammer in the first place. The foal cocked its head at the Master for a moment. Then it turned to Anna and cooed, asking its question. She looked at it. Then looked away. Master Khondus nodded and set the hammer in the straw in front of her.
    "We must take care of him now, girl. There's no time."
     

8
    I N SPITE OF herself, Anna shook her head.
    It wasn't supposed to happen like this.
    Master Khondus was supposed to spare the foal after what they'd just learned, after what had just happened. She didn't know why, but the Master was supposed to realize that the foal should live.
    She took a step backward, her head spinning. She had the sudden urge to grab the hammer, run from the birthing stall, and throw the cursed thing over the nearest balcony.
    Lord Layne gasped in the straw.
    The dragon foal cooed.
    What's happening?
    Lord Layne groaned and managed to hiss, "My father will see your head on a spike, you old—."
    Master Khondus kicked Layne in the stomach, and he shut up.
    The foal tutted.
    Master Khondus put his scarred hand on Nightlove's side and took a deep breath. He seemed suddenly tired. The big dragon sighed at his touch.
    Anna suddenly remembered something Father had said to her many years ago: "Duty usually means obedience. But sometimes, duty can mean defiance."
    Anna nodded. "Truth and honor, Master Khondus, sir." She snapped her heels together and crossed her fist over the leather apron at her chest. "We serve you, the High Lady Abigail Dradón, and her rightful lord and liege, High King Bellános Dallanar, the true King of Remain."
    Nightlove growled. The foal stared at Anna for a moment, then hissed its agreement, reared up, and extended its white wings, as if showing them off.
    "I know what you want, girl." Master Khondus shook his head. "But it must be done. Walk him down to the last stall, away from her."
    The foal was right behind her now, its head leaning over her shoulder. Then it opened its wings and slowly fanned the air. Hay stirred. The lanterns' orange flames guttered. Without warning, it leapt to an oak perch that penetrated the birthing stall's far wall. Its rear claws had fully spired. They dug into the perch, the wood crunching and splintering. It cocked its head, eyes glowing, as if waiting for Anna to speak.
    "It's a pity," the Master said. "But it must be done. Bring him down. If he bonds any further with her, it could ruin her." He patted Nightlove's side. "We can't delay. These next days—these next hours—will determine the fate of our House."
    "You're all dead !" Lord Layne hissed from the straw. "My father—."
    Master Khondus kicked him again, much harder