Veil of the Dragon (Prophecy of the Evarun) Read Online Free Page A

his sword, bound in gossamer. An azure light showed beneath its wrapping.
     
    Chaelus stood.
     
    Joshua did n’t, instead crumbling leaves into the pot. “The weather’s become fierce, has it not?”
     
    “You’re the high priest,” Al-Aaron said, “yet you do not march with your queen.”
     
    “Such sentiment becomes lost to one who’s soon to follow.”
     
    Al-Aaron came forward. “When did the Dragon come here?”
     
    The kettle trembled as Joshua removed his hand from its chain. “You wouldn’t understand.”
     
    “It walks among you. I wouldn’t have thought even the Fallen Ones would be so blind.”
     
    “That’s because they’re dead.”
     
    A thick, palpable silence descended. 
     
    “What?” Al-Aaron asked.
     
    “Less than a fortnight ago, the Servian Lords were murdered as if they were one. Their assassins wielded Gossamer Blades.”
     
    Al-Aaron recoiled as if Joshua had struck him. “It’s not possible.”
     
    “A Servian Knight surrendered to each them. Then they escaped and murdered their captors.”
     
    “It’s trickery.”
     
    Joshua raised his eyes, his voice gaining strength. “It doesn’t matter now. The persecution of the Theocratic Council and their Taurate won’t falter this time.”
     
    “What are you saying?”
     
    “That I’ve been hiding for too long.”
     
    “Do you believe this?”
     
    Joshua’s eyes grew wide. “It doesn’t matter what I believe! The Fallen Ones have been returned to their master. The die has been cast. The Taurate will now have the willing support of the Theocratic Council. From here forward, our persecution will seem more like redemption.”
     
    Al-Aaron remained silent, his face uplifted.
     
    The kettle trembled.
     
    Joshua rose and lifted it, placing it on a wide stone beside the hearth. He stared into the fire. His voice sounded frail. “I’m tired. I’ve been tired a long time and you’re so very young. I’ve walked long enough with the Servian Order.”
     
    The front door crashed open. The storm rushed in. The fire flared before the room plunged into the twilight of the storm. Joshua’s face thinned. A shadow turned within him, its illusion unveiled, just as with the woman in the storm. Unlike her though, Joshua knew it. Yet he didn’t seem to care.
     
    Unmoved, Al-Aaron rose and stepped towards Joshua. “Do you believe the Prophecy has changed?”
     
    Joshua recoiled. “Everything’s changed. You choose not to see!”
     
    “I am afraid it is you who’ve lost your vision.”
     
    “No. I don’t think so.” Joshua’s voice lowered again. He leaned forward. “I know that more than the Dragon’s Sleep has fallen here. I know that we wait in the Dragon’s shadow and we are woe to find any defense against it.”
     
    “It is woe indeed to be without hope.”
     
    “Don’t pity me. Save it for yourself.” Joshua, seized by a fit of coughing, fanned his arm toward the village. “I assure you that it’s not for my character that I suffer the same fate as them.” Straightening, he stared into the still glowing embers. “I don’t suffer from their lack of faith.”
     
    “That is why you’ve fallen.” Al-Aaron turned towards Chaelus. “It’s time to go.”
     
    Al-Aaron stopped within the passage and looked back toward Joshua. “It isn’t too late to stop this madness.”
     
    Joshua turned away. “I’m so sorry that it is.” As the door shut between them, Joshua’s voice followed them. “Flee while you can.”
     
    The rain gave way to a greater darkness. A low mist hung upon the whispering wind. Idyliss whinnied restless from where she wandered nearby.
     
    The markings on Chaelus’ brow began to burn. He reached for Sundengal.
     
    Al-Aaron touched his hand. The dark stain of blood marked its wrapping.
     
    “It won’t protect you in this,” he said.
     
    Chaelus’ consciousness fell to shadow. Darkness exploded beneath an azure flame.
     
     
     
    ***
     
     
     
    Al-Aaron