The Dragon Hunters Read Online Free Page B

sharp as a hawk’s. Visions told him of the coming ordeal though the outcome remained veiled. Seldis didn’t doubt Rentor had the strength to carry through; he’d seen the man in battle. It wasn’t strength that worried him.
    “Shall I take you to him?” he asked quietly.
    Rentor turned to Seldis. He seemed almost reluctant. “I need to know what I’m facing. The kingdom may be in jeopardy.”
    If you only knew. “Come. He was near death when we found him. Delirium had already set in. I doubt he knew where he’d stumbled to.”
    “How long has he been here?”
    “Less than a week. The Brothers have slowly been nurturing him back to health.”
    Rentor nodded, absorbing every word. “His mind?”
    “I’ve been seeing to that,” Seldis replied as they made their way through the main building.
    The king offered a half-hearted laugh. “Some might consider you a Mage.”
    “That order destroyed itself ages ago. Greed often leads to such misconception. The Mages got to greedy and suffered for it. I, however, lack hubris. Or so I’ve been told.”
    “The histories say they could have ruled the world,” Rentor said, making idle conversation.
    Seldis agreed. “No army in Malweir could have withstood their assault. They weren’t always corrupt. The Mages began with the purest intentions. They protected Malweir and her peoples. Who knows how many wars were avoided thanks to them? But as in all, men hid greed. They destroyed themselves to save us.”
    A shiver ran down Rentor’s spine. People had been raised in fear since the end of the Mage War. Though the orders of Mages were gone, Rentor had long believed normal men were especially susceptible to cruel acts. “You’re aware of the rumors coming out of Gren?”
    “It is much more than a rumor. Not every Mage was killed and many of their dark creations continue to live. They wait in the shadows for the right moment.”
    “How can such creatures be defeated?” And how can I link Gren to my troubles?
    Seldis stopped outside a door at the end of the torch-lit hall. “Not even I can tell. My sight is blocked. The man you seek is within this room. I must warn you, his mind is still fractured. You may not discover the answers you seek.”
    “I must make the effort.”
    The door creaked open, revealing a portly monk sitting in a rocking chair beside the sleeping man. Brother Arabub nodded to Father Seldis.
    “How is our guest?”
    “He fades in and out. He’s also beginning to speak in full sentences. We had a lovely conversation about a woman named Shar. I believe she was his wife,” Arabub said. His eyes never left the king.
    “Thank you, Brother Arabub. You may leave us now. The king would like a private word with our guest. I will come get you when we’re finished,” Seldis told him with a fatherly tone.
    Arabub pulled the blanket from his legs, rose, and bowed before excusing himself.
    “This is a sad state for a man to be in,” Rentor said, looking down on Fitch.
    Seldis agreed. “His name is Fitch Iane, from Gend. His soul has been gravely wounded. Worse, I have seen glimpses of his darkest thoughts. Seen some of what he witnessed.”
    Rentor’s eyebrow rose. “Tell me.”
    “It is not my place. That is something he must tell you for himself. Ah, he’s awake.”
    Rentor stared down on the shell of man. Indescribable emotions conflicted. Fitch was malnourished and needed a shave but otherwise looked well enough. It was the eyes that told the story. Fitch’s eyes were wild, betraying raw fear. Rentor sighed. He doubted he’d be able to glean any useful information from questioning this man.
    The experience was vastly different for Fitch. He stared up at Rentor and, instead of a king, saw only dark shapes. Dreadful memories of monsters and fire immediately rushed forward to embrace him tightly. The smell of roasting flesh sickened his nostrils. Wicked flames stretched towards the heavens. Tears welled in his eyes. His chest racked with sobs.