Army of the Dead Read Online Free PDF

conversation.
    “We found it,” Marak nodded seriously. “It is huge, and it is headed for Alamar. We did not see the skimmers. I fear that they may arrive too late to do any good. We saw the evacuation of Alamar. It gives a whole new perspective on things to see them from the air. Are you ready to go to Alamar?”
    “I am ready,” nodded Lyra. “How do we do this?”
    “I will get on first,” offered Marak as he started to climb up Myka’s back, “then I will hoist you up behind me. Then the lizard can take off,” he added with a grin.
    Myka’s tail moved swiftly and knocked Marak to the roof. The Torak fell into a roll and came up shaking his head.
    “Oh, sorry,” grinned the winged warrior. “You know how a lizard’s tail has a mind of its own.”
    “Okay,” nodded Marak. “Truce?”
    “I suppose,” sighed Myka.
    Marak climbed onto the dragon’s back and extended his hand towards Lyra. She hesitated and looked Myka in the eyes for a moment before climbing up and grasping Marak’s hand.
    “Oh, this is going to be fun,” cackled Myka as she leaped off of the roof and took to the air.
    “Behave,” Lyra said as she patted the dragon’s scales.
    Lyra wrapped her arms around Marak and held on as Myka soared out of the valley. The Sakovans shouted, cheered, and waved as the dragon disappeared over the peaks.
    “This is incredible,” Lyra remarked as they flew over the forest. “So this is what our scout birds see when they go out on patrol.”
    Soon they were over the sevemore forests, and Lyra saw the armies gathering below. As they approached Alamar, she saw the packed road leading south. She shook her head with sadness at the number of people being uprooted from their homes.
    “Where should I land?” asked Myka.
    “In front of the Imperial Guard headquarters,” answered Lyra. “It is that big building in the center of the city.”
    Shouts rang out around the city as the dragon was spotted. Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched as the dragon glided into the city and settled in the street where Lyra had directed her.
    “Too many people will believe in dragons before this war is over,” groused Myka. “That is not healthy for my kind. Next will come the adventurers intent on making a name for themselves. There will be no end to the torment that mankind can inflict on us. They will all want scales as souvenirs, or free rides so they can brag to their friends. What have you done to me, Torak?”
    “Or they will revere you as the elves do,” countered Marak. “The humans are coming to know Kaltara. Those that survive will treat you with respect.”
    “Hmm,” Myka replied. “You do look at things in a positive manner.”
    The Torak and the Star slid off the dragon’s back. Marak instructed Myka to find a safe place outside the city to the north. He promised to use an air tunnel to find her and call her back when she was needed. The dragon took off as Lyra and Marak entered the Imperial Guard headquarters. General Manitow entered right behind them.
    “I could not help witnessing your arrival,” greeted the general. “Welcome to Alamar.”
    “Greetings, General,” smiled Lyra. “Alamar is the target of the armada.”
    “We are sure about this?” asked the general.
    “Positive,” nodded Marak. “Unless they make a drastic change of direction. They are headed right for us and should arrive tomorrow night. Can I ask what your strategy is?”
    “As far as the defense of the city goes,” replied the general, “it has not changed since we last spoke. When Alamar falls, we are hoping to lure the Motangans along the coast road to the south. The remnants of my army will fight a retreating action, trying to slow them down and bottleneck their forces.”
    “Three hundred thousand men is a large number to string out along a road,” warned Marak. “What if they decide to use the ships to get around your men?”
    “We would have a rout,” frowned the general. “My men would