Faith Of The Dragon Tamer (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

a lot in his sleep. He was concerned more about you than his own life. He wept over and over, praying you would forgive him if you gleaned the truth. I wonder if you have?” Presario’s words cut. Ramie remained silent.
    “Now whose heart is deformed?” Presario asked. “I wouldn’t leap to judge me if I were you. You need to purify your own soul much more deeply than I. All I do is try to live in peace. Would you castigate a blacksmith who didn’t want to fire another piece of iron? Would you condemn a furniture builder who didn’t want to carve another piece of wood? How am I different from someone who doesn’t care for his profession any longer?”
    Presario paused to wind the music box once again. “You debase me for the town’s demise? Be wary of that imperious thought. I don’t control the town as you think. Those who remain do so on their own accord, although I do reward them for their efforts. All they want is a solitary place to practice their craft. All I need are a few to turn away those who seek my advice.
    “The only thing I’m guilty of is ceasing production on my father’s fields. Yes, it has caused the town to die, but it’s my land and Yor isn’t destitute of soil to raise cattle and grain. But I know your mind. You still believe I’m vile. You think I’ve forced people to leave, but you still don’t ask the reason behind it. What you don’t see, what you don’t care to know, is that it pains me to see Mintree a ghost town. I’m alone. I’ll always be alone. It’s by choice, yes; but that doesn’t make me apathetic. I liked looking out the window and seeing children at play. I enjoyed chance sightings of trysts between lovers. I delighted in the bustle of the market and witnessing the latest garish fashions. No, I didn’t close my father’s fields to bring the town to ruin. I chose to do so because I loathed everything about my father at the time. It may seem trite to you, but it was everything to me.”
    Presario paused, heaving a sigh. “I don’t explain my actions for your consent. To be brazenly honest, I don’t explain myself to anyone, king or no king. You may deplore me or you may extol me. I don’t care which. I allow you to ask your question because of your soul. Although it’s quick tempered, it’s true. You’re the only man, besides your brother, who has made it past the girl. All others give in to her, married or unmarried, devout or heathen. All.” Presario slapped his hand down in harsh judgment. “But know neither your title nor your heart gave you leave to come into this house. I allowed you entrance because of a man I know and respect. That is your brother, my king, not you. Nigel has given you entrance. Remember that. Ask what you will.”
    Ramie knew Presario was right, about everything. His own admittance was belittling. Closing his eyes Ramie tried to regain his former confidence. It evaded him. He thought of Ren and why he was there. It gave him what he needed to speak to the man he had degraded without righteous cause.
    “The crown prince of Zier has been pronounced a traitor and his kingdom has fallen to a sorceress who has survived since the Wizard War. She claims the crown prince is the one to fear and rallies the Lands behind her. She has encouraged all kingdoms to send those with the power to train under her, and people go, hungry for the rewards the Quy can give them. She is forming a force she calls the Collective, claiming it will be under no rule but will work for all the Lands. I know she lies. This woman’s tentacles reach through the Lands as it is. With a collective force under her she’ll be able to infiltrate the Lands and crush all resistance.”
    Ramie waited for Presario to speak. When he did not, Ramie continued. “I’m in a perilous position because I know the truth yet I have no proof to show. Currently no other kingdom will join me in the fight against her. Without regard to magic my army is insignificant compared to hers.