Draconis' Bane Read Online Free PDF Page B

finally.
    “Here. Let me
simplify things for you.”
    Right before
Tristan’s eyes the man who looked like his grandfather changed. A
flash of light briefly blinded him and when he could see again, his
cousin Joy sitting there. Then there was another flash of light and
the smiling face of his Uncle Stan was staring back at him. Another
flash and Father Downing was sitting there.
     
    Two years ago his
mother had decided to re-affirm her Catholic faith. She started
going to church and she dragged Tristan along with her. At the time
there was a Deacon Downing there, who later became a priest. He was
put in charge of Tristan’s Catholic education. Twice a week they
would sit together and Tristan would tell him all about how
horrible his life was and how no one liked him, how he felt alone.
Deacon Downing started teaching Tristan how to meditate. How to
clear his mind and focus, but shortly after becoming a priest
Father Downing was sent to another part of the country and Tristan
never heard from him again.
    Until today.
    “What’s going
on?”
    “Excellent. I knew
you’d recover quickly. You always were a fast learner Tristan.”
Complimented Downing.
    “What…is going on
here?” Tristan insisted.
    “In due time Tristan.
First, we have to separate you from your nightmare.”
    “Well doesn’t that
sound fun?” Tristan brooded. “Where were you eight years ago?!”
    “Tristan, son, it
hasn’t been eight years. It’s been a month.” Replied Downing.
    “A month? A month
since what?” He asked.
    “A month since you
were attacked.”
    “What in the hell are
you talki….”
    A flash of light
burst from somewhere out of sight and Tristan hit the floor. His
hands pressed on his temples and he clenched his teeth. He looked
up and Father Downing immediately rushed to his side.
    “Don’t fight Tristan.
You have to let go!”
    Tristan’s teeth
clenched and he ground his teeth together as he gasped for
breath.
    “Let…..go….of….WHAT!?” He demanded.
    “Your nightmare.”
Continued Downing. “This isn’t your life. This is a
nightmare, the Palace was invaded and you were hit by a spell!
You’ve been unconscious for over a month.”
    “I….don’t…understand…Palace?” Gasped Tristan.
    “You don’t have to.
Trust me.” Replied Downing.
    “I can’t.” Tristan
replied as tears began gathering in his eyes.
    “You must!” Begged
Downing. “Don’t fight! Annadora is trying to free your mind; it’s
going to hurt more if you fight it. You must relax! You must calm
yourself! Like I taught you!”
    “Taught me and then
abandoned me!” Tristan accused through the pain.
    “I’ve never left you,
son. You’ve been stuck in this nightmare for over a month….”
    “EIGHT YEARS! I’ve
been in this sad excuse for a life for eight years Fath….” He
stopped abruptly as his eyes lost focus.
    Tristan shook his
head and stared at Downing. Another life, a better one was
intruding on the life he remembered. Flashes of odd images of
strange places and creatures seemed to overlap the world he
accepted as his own.
    “Annadora….is…my
mother…..wait, what’s going on here…” He asked.
    Fear was beginning to
take hold. Tristan screamed again as his mind was being fully torn
from all that he knew and accepted as reality.
    “Son! Please! Stop
fighting! Relax your mind! You must!” Pleaded Downing.
    “Are you going to hit
me if I don’t?!” Tristan challenged through his clenched teeth.
    “Tristan…Tristan… look at me.”
    Still kneeling on the
hard concrete floor of the church he felt every imperfection in its
surface. He could feel the fine dust that covered the surface, the
smell of cleaning product. Something stranger then happened.
Tristan’s vision ripped in two. With his left eye he could see
Father Downing, kneeling in front of him, concern clearly evident
on his face. With his right eye he could clearly see the ceiling of
a candle lit room. He could feel the imperfections in the