Dragon Alliance: Rise Against Shadow Read Online Free PDF

practices and culture. The senior paladin was a very structured individual, while Lawrent was a sea raider and barbarian, but he had a good heart and good intentions as well as being a dependable and fierce ally. Lawrent commanded his personal dragon or serpent long ship with his hand-picked crew of master mariners and forty or so fierce berserkers. He usually had three to four more that joined him in his raids of the Archipelago Islands, Shidan, Ariana, and parts of the Morgathian Empire. They joined the Weir garrison in battle on occasion, which Mkel used as a reserve counterattack force or a backup raiding group for the ranger platoon. They served on the infantry line but preferred to fight as individuals rather than as a team. Orcs and the Morgathians feared them, for they had a greater ferocity than almost any other warriors known.
    Toderan rose from the table. “I have to see to a couple of personnel issues, sir,” he said.
    “Do you need any help?” replied Mkel.
    “No, Captain, just a couple of issues in one of the cavalry squads with two infantrymen.”
    “No problem; let me know. I will see you at lunch before Lupek’s brief in the central meeting room,” Mkel finished.
    Toderan stood up and walked toward the garrison barracks. Mkel quickly finished his breakfast and took a full tray of food and beverages back up to his chambers. Annan was already awake and taking care of Michen. He set the tray down and they started to eat. Annan asked him what the agenda was for the day. He told her of the brief after lunch and the leaders meeting before dinner, as well as the training exercise scheduled for tomorrow and the trip to Battle Point the next day.
    She was upset at that news, and an argument began. Mkel half-heartedly argued back while he played with Michen, knowing she was just worried. He was Mkel’s most prized treasure; he loved his son as much as his dragon. Michen’s bright blond hair and wide blue eyes only added to his little boy’s charm. He picked Michen up and walked out of his chamber to Gallanth after he and Annan came to an agreement.
    Michen loved to crawl on Gallanth’s tail and claws. “Draagin,” he said over and over again as Mkel carried him over to Gallanth.
    “Hello, little one,” Gallanth replied in a soft tone, for even the average exhalation of the mighty dragon could knock the toddler off his feet. He very carefully moved his huge tail over toward his rider and son; Mkel put Michen on the flat arrow-shaped plate at the end of his tail. Gallanth could amazingly balance the small child on his tail without dropping him, and Michen loved the ride.
    Mkel scratched his dragon’s ear ridge, which was the most sensitive point on his immense armored head. His watermelon-sized eye closed in pleasure. “Why don’t we fly down to the stables and get you something to eat, for tomorrow will be very busy.”
    “Sounds like an excellent idea,” the dragon said as he moved his thick front leg over to Mkel, who climbed on top of it and was lifted to the base of the dragon’s neck. The huge tail gently swung the two-year-old over to Mkel after he hooked two of the four flying straps to his belt. He took his son in his arms and nodded to the gold dragon that he was ready. Gallanth stood up and walked over to the edge of his landing, which measured one hundred yards deep and one hundred twenty yards wide. He outstretched his colossal wings and with one gentle leap was airborne. He gracefully sailed down over the Weir lake and landed very gently, with a small whirl of dust, by the stables so as not to unsettle his rider’s precious cargo.
    Mkel unhooked the riding straps with his free hand. Michen had thoroughly enjoyed the short ride. Gallanth put his massive head and neck on the ground and slightly raised his left front leg for Mkel to slide onto, then lowered it slowly to the ground. Gallanth’s arm thickness still put Mkel six feet above the ground, so he sat down on the dragon’s arm