Empire of Night Read Online Free PDF Page A

know your types.”
    â€œSand, snow, rock, timber. Corresponding to the four major parts of the empire—the southern desert, the frozen north, the western mountains, and the eastern forest. There are also corpse dragons, but they aren’t the same.”
    â€œThis story is about a sand dragon, which lives alone, for very good reason.”
    â€œBecause they guard treasure.”
    â€œExactly. The problem with having treasure is that everyone wants it. No matter how far away the dragon hides, eventually men will come. Being in the desert, though, the dragon can see approaching armies from afar. So this one waited, and when the men arrived, he did not meet them with fire and death, but with kind words and hospitality. He was very pleased to see them, having been alone for so long, and if they would share his company for a time, he would happily share his fortune in return. Of course, the men suspected a trick. The first dinner they attended with hidden blades and anxious hearts, but the dragon was as pleasant a host as one could wish. The second night, some left their blades behind, but most were still mistrusting and prepared for battle. Yet the dragon was even more hospitable, the banquet bigger, the entertainment grander, and at the end, he gave them all a bag. Those who left their blades behind had received gold coins, enough to feed a family for many seasons. Those who’d brought their weapons found their bags filled with sand. They knew their host had detected their duplicity, and they were shamed. So on the third night, no one carried a blade to the banquet, and the dragon was in his bestmood ever, the food and the entertainment beyond anything imaginable. At the end, he invited them into his treasure room, to take all they could carry, and once they were there, he barred the door and left them to die.”
    â€œAs he should,” Moria said.
    Tyrus smiled and nodded. “As he should, because they came to his home with treachery in their hearts. They accepted his hospitality while plotting his demise. Now, like the men of the story, there is an invited guest on the palace grounds who came with treachery in his heart, and plots with Alvar Kitsune to bring about my father’s demise.”
    â€œEither the Sultan of Nemeth or the King of Etaria.”
    â€œMy father has entertained them sumptuously for two nights. This is the third night.”
    â€œMeaning whoever betrayed him will die.”
    Tyrus laughed. “No, that’s where the story diverges, because it would hardly be in my father’s best interests to murder a valuable source of enemy intelligence. Each night, while the food has grown richer and the entertainments more exotic, the number of invited guests has dwindled, allowing a more intimate affair . . . and allowing my father more time with his guests. Tonight it will be a very small gathering, with much wine and diversion, and he will determine who is betraying him.”
    â€œAnd the dinner will take place in that room.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhere I can listen in.”
    â€œYes.” He moved so close their legs rubbed. “This will not help you get the children back, Moria, but it may help you see that progress is being made. We are all frustrated, but if weswoop into Fairview with an army, they will see us coming and slaughter the children and villagers. Alvar Kitsune is playing a game. A terrible and cruel game, but a game nonetheless. We cannot break the rules. We must find a way to subvert them. That’s what my father is doing.”
    She nodded.
    He leaned in further, taking her hand in his. “I can see how much this is hurting you. I just want . . . I want to make it stop hurting, and I know it won’t until you have some resolution, not just with the children, but with Gavril—”
    She pulled back so fast she nearly fell off the bench. “Don’t—”
    â€œYes, I know.” He straightened, anger spiking