Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

the reward.  Failing our task, I will live out my life in slavery.”
    Ronda frowned.  “Samurai don’t hold with slavery.”
    Bess nodded.  “What did I tell you girl?  Among the Samurai, you’ll have the chance for freedom.”
    “Shariel was the one wronged.  Will you demand punishment from this girl?”  Ronda asked.
    Shariel shook her head.  “Mikla lost her brother.  She’s been punished enough.  If she chooses to stay with the Samurai, it will not bother me.”
    “She might lead riders to capture you if she returns to her tribe.”  Ronda’s tone challenged Shariel.
    Shariel’s eyes narrowed, returning the challenge.  “Does it matter?  A rider already searched me out, and we killed him.”
    “You killed a rider?”  Ronda said, “I guess you inherited something from me after all.”
    Shariel read the next thought in her mother’s mind.  There’s still too much of Jarrack in her eyes . 
    She said, “Do you fear my blood, mother?”
    Ronda smirked.  “I’m long past living in fear, lass.  I gave you away to rid myself of bad memories, but it did me little good.  Nightmares lived inside my brain until I learned to burn them out.  If I did it over again, I might have kept you with me.”  Ronda shrugged.  “Done is done.”
    Shariel’s anger erupted.  “People condemn me for the blood in my veins, regardless of who I am as a person.  Why not embrace the power I possess if I’m already judged evil?”
    Ronda’s eyes narrowed.  “Make of yourself what you will, child. If you allow others to decide your life-path, rather than choose one for yourself, you are no daughter of mine.  People fear power.  They’ll fear you until actions prove your worth.”
    “Will I get a chance to prove myself to you?”  Tears streamed down Shariel’s cheeks.
    “Bess, see to your girl.  It’s not in my character to dry a child’s tears.  We’ll make camp and wait for morning.” Ronda stalked away while Bess wrapped her arm around Shariel’s shoulder. 
    “You’ll be fine,” Bess crooned.
    “What if I am tainted by his blood?  Could Jarrack’s spirit turn me into something evil?”
    Bess smoothed Shariel’s hair.  “I know you to the core, my dear, and your spirit is good.  Jarrack enjoys making people suffer because he lacks the ability to hear thoughts or share pain.  You share emotions and hear thoughts, so you enjoy making people happy.  You are not a copy of your father or your mother.”
    Shariel hugged Bess.  “No one knows me like you, Bess.  If I’m anyone’s daughter, I’m yours.”
     
     
     
    *****
     
     
    While they traveled to Bear Rock, Mikla helped with the work of setting up camp each night, offering to tend the fire and help with dinner.  The girl relaxed as she performed ordinary tasks. Shariel felt good that Mikla would have a chance for freedom with the Samurai.
    Three nights into the journey, Mikla prepared dinner on her own.  Everyone enjoyed spicy stew filled with chunks of tender lamb. It tasted so good they over ate, and Mikla smiled at their compliments.  They passed a wineskin and enjoyed the flickering firelight, listening to stories about Marasuta.  Shariel enjoyed the laughter and drank too much wine.
    As the fire died, Shariel stumbled to her bedroll and sank into soft leaves and pine needles.  Her brain felt muzzy and kept her from hearing thoughts.  The quiet felt wonderful.  She slept soundly as the night grew still.
    It seemed she barely drifted to sleep when a hand closed over her mouth, wrenching her awake.  “Stay quiet!”  Mikla whispered in a husky voice.  “We will walk together.”  Her eyes wide with fright, Mikla looked agitated.  Shariel felt the sharp tip of a knife prick her throat.  “Don’t try your witchcraft on me, you understand?  We’ll use the knife on Bess if you don’t obey,” Mikla threatened.
    Shariel noticed a guard slumped against a tree.  The bedrolls near the coals of the long-spent