Champions of the Gods Read Online Free PDF

laugh.
    Gretzen gave an approving nod. “Let us see what Aurora has conjured.”
    She called to Aurora, and the warrior swirled into existence. To everyone’s surprise, a bobcat appeared beside her.
    “Not bad, eh?” Aurora beamed.
    Dirk gave a laugh. “Show off.”
    Gretzen, however, was not amused. “I told you a small animal,” she said with a scowl.
    “This is a small animal,” said Aurora, smirking.
    Gretzen shook her head and got up with some effort. “In time you will be able to summon larger creatures. For now, practice getting them to obey your mental commands. I must rest now.”
    Aurora gave Dirk a devilish look and closed her eyes tight in concentration. The bobcat growled low in its throat and sprang after the rabbit, which darted away through the village.
    “That’s just not fair,” Dirk said with a laugh.

Chapter 4
Troubling News
     
     
    Avriel stared at herself in the tall mirror—she was beginning to show. One of her handmaidens had noticed, and soon others would as well.
    How will they react? What will they say? she wondered.
    The pregnancy could remain hidden with layered clothes for a time, but eventually she would have to tell the elder council and the elves. She cursed Zerafin for leaving her in charge during such trying times. It was enough for her to worry about the danger she would soon face when word of the pregnancy spread. The problems of the elven kingdom only made it that much worse.
    Whill had ensured her that everything would be alright. He had displayed the power of old in the fight against Zander and was confident that he could summon it once more. Though during the few days that she stayed with him in Del’Oradon after the escape from Belldon Island, he had not been able to recreate it.
    Kellallea had not appeared to her again since giving her the spirit blade, which she still possessed. The glowing sword gave her some comfort, but it was not enough.
    A loud rustling of wings tore her from her pondering, and she found Zorriaz perched on her long balcony.
    “Sister,” said the dragon. “I must speak with you.”
    Avriel went out on the balcony and caressed the dragon’s long neck.
    “What is it, Zorriaz?”
    “A strange voice has come with the western wind. It beckons to me, calling me and my kin to Drakkar Island.”
    “Is it an elf?” Avriel asked.
    “No. He calls himself Reshikk.”
    “Reshikk…” Avriel searched her memories. During the time that she had been trapped in Zorriaz’s body, she had been able to access the memories of the white dragon’s line. Now that she was in her own body, however, the memories had begun to fade. Still, she recalled something about the dragon Reshikk. “You cannot mean Reshikk, the ancient green dragon who was banished from the earth after the War of the Dragon God?”
    “Yes, it is he,” said Zorriaz, looking to the west.
    Avriel could see the inner struggle in her dragon’s eyes.
    “But how can this be? He was put there by the elven gods, or so it is told.”
    “I do not know, sister, but he is free once more. He calls us all to him. Many have answered his call. A great migration is under way.”
    “And he will wage war on the elves for imprisoning him so long ago,” said Avriel.
    “Yes, I am afraid that he will.”
    “Will you be able to resist?”
    Zorriaz growled low in her throat and a small puff of smoke shot from her snout. “He cannot force me to go.”
    “Do you want to?” Avriel asked.
    For a moment the white dragon said nothing. She stared at the distant falls, seemingly mesmerized. “A part of me wishes to join the migration. If I did, however, I would surely be killed. I am not natural. I have been tainted by Eadon’s magic. The others will sense it immediately. I am not like other dragons. I belong with you, my sister.”
    Avriel was glad to hear it. Still, the news of yet another threat sat heavy on her mind.
    “He will seek revenge on us…how long do we have?”
    “I do not know,” said