Doom of the Dragon Read Online Free PDF

claims you cheated. There is one way warriors settle such a disagreement—with their swords.”
    â€œI would, but I have no sword,” Joabis said with a sly smile.
    â€œI need no sword to deal with you!” Skylan cried.
    Skylan handed his sword to Garn, knocked aside the table, and lunged. Stumbling backward, Joabis grabbed the pitcher of ale and flung the foaming brew into Skylan’s face. The ale stung his eyes and flew down his throat. Half blinded, coughing, and choking, he heard Garn shout a warning and saw Joabis was about to smash a wooden bench over his head. Skylan lashed out with his foot, kicking Joabis in the groin. The god groaned and slumped to the floor.
    Another warrior tried to hurl a mug into Skylan’s face. Garn punched him in the stomach. His friend joined in and then everyone was fighting. A group of warriors upended a table, heaved it off its trestles, and used it to shove another group back against the wall, while others grabbed the empty trestles and started bashing heads. The floor was soon awash in spilled ale, causing some of the warriors to slip and fall, as others laughed until they, too, found themselves on their backsides.
    â€œJoabis,” said Torval, laughing heartily. “Here! Use my sword.”
    Skylan stood back, waiting for Joabis to haul himself up off the floor and take Torval’s sword. Instead, Joabis seized Skylan around the ankles and pulled his legs out from under him. Skylan crashed to the floor, narrowly avoiding hitting his head on the table. Joabis launched himself through the air and landed heavily on top of Skylan, knocking the wind out of him and belching beery breath in his face.
    Skylan floundered beneath the god’s weight, lashing out at him with his fists and trying to knee him. Suddenly Joabis flew up into the air with a startled wuff. Garn had grabbed him from behind and flung him off to one side.
    Garn then pulled Skylan to his feet. “Are you all right?”
    â€œI feel as though a tree fell on me,” Skylan said, grimacing and rubbing his ribs. “Where is the bastard?”
    â€œComplaining about you to Torval,” Garn said.
    Joabis was jabbing his finger in Skylan’s direction and shouting loudly that Skylan was trying to get out of his bet. Torval appeared more interested in the brawl than in listening to the god, however, for he kept interrupting Joabis to yell encouragement, applaud a good blow, and roar with laughter at a warrior who landed face-first in a puddle of beer.
    Skylan and Garn went to argue their case to Torval, first stopping to deal with a huge warrior swinging a battle axe. Skylan tripped him and Garn clouted him on the head. Joabis, seeing them coming, ducked behind Torval.
    â€œMake him pay, great Torval!” Joabis cried.
    Torval turned to face Skylan.
    â€œWherever you go, Fish Knife, trouble follows.” The god spoke severely, but Skylan saw a gleam in his eyes and took heart.
    â€œJoabis cheated and therefore has to forfeit the wager,” Skylan said. “Garn is my witness. Joabis must keep his promise to me, give me back my life.”
    Torval reached around, seized the god by his tunic and dragged him forward.
    â€œYou cheated,” said Torval. “And don’t deny it, for I saw you. As for you, Fish Knife, you were a fool to wager with him. All know he is dishonest.”
    â€œPerhaps I was a fool, Torval, but I am desperate!” said Skylan. “You say I am not dead. The Norn say I am not alive. Joabis promised to return my life and he must keep his promise!”
    â€œHe will keep it,” said Torval grimly. “The honor of the gods is at stake.”
    He gripped Joabis’s tunic and gave it a twist, hauling the rotund god off the floor so that his feet dangled.
    â€œYou have heard my ruling!” Torval growled.
    â€œI did! I will!” Joabis whined. “Put me down.”
    Torval let go of him, and Joabis dropped to the