INBORN (The Sagas of Di'Ghon) Read Online Free PDF Page B

bothered with the day to day concerns of running a kingdom, nor the type to take advice from one of her dead husband’s trusted First, and they had all suffered for it. After a decade their fortunes had dwindled to a trickle of what they had once been. Half of their lands simply stopped paying the tribute, and she did nothing.
    When she died, after slipping from the castle wall through a rain wash-out, the rule of Ontar fell to her older brother.  Within a week he took off, leaving her to run the hold.
    Irkhir didn’t waste any time preparing her for what was next.
    It wasn’t long before word of her brother’s extravagances got back to her. While he travelled abroad he was squandering the meager funds they had left. There was no end to his appetites or what he was willing to pay to quench them. The ledger agreed with Irkhir’s opinion. There was no way they would all survive him. Someone had to do something. If she hadn’t arranged his “accident” the fool would have brought Ontar to ruin within a month.
    Lisella closed her eyes and chose to remember her brother when they were younger, just two children playing in the hold. Flawed as he was she still missed him. She wiped away the single tear that sprang from the corner of her eye and flung it into the wind, allowing the heavy scent of pine to clear her mind. What was done was done.
    The Code sang for whom it chose.
    “My Mistress.” A harsh voice called from the entrance of the balcony.
    Lisella Ontar turned to find one of the First kneeling.
    “What is it?”
    “Irkhir sends me with word.”
    “You obviously wouldn’t have been allowed in my chambers if that wasn’t the case. Get up.”
    “The… Caller…” He stayed on his knees.
    “Spit it out.”
    “The Caller has returned, my Mistress.” When the man looked up his face seemed twisted, like he had a fever or something. “I’m to escort you to the hall.”
    “You lost a bet, Keriim? Irkhir put you up to this?” Lisella Ontar smirked at the man, searching for the joke that surely was being played on her.
    It wasn’t completely absurd that Irkhir would play a joke on her, although she couldn’t see where this one could be going... From time to time her personal guard were allowed a few indulgences others wouldn’t be. They earned it. If ever she was attacked they would die to a man before she did.
    Yet, why Irkhir sent this man was a mystery. She would expect it from Hogan or Neel. The two of them were the type. If it were either of them she would be expecting the other to come jumping into the chamber wearing a painted dra costume. Yet, she knew this man. There wasn’t a humorous bone in Keriim’s body, not for something like this. He was one of the finest of her guard, a vicious and cunning warrior, but a practical joker? Never.
    Lisella stared into his eyes, seeing something there she couldn’t quite place. He returned her stare, eyes almost level even though he was still kneeling. There was something about this man that had always reeked of menace. She shook it off. After all, it was a quality she should probably be happy to have in one of the First.
    “I swear on my mother’s fingers. We have him in the hall.” He said.
    “Wait outside.” She waved him away, shaking her head.
    Lisella stared at the big leather book still sitting on her table. The title, Prophecies of the Code , swam in her vision. Like a nightmare come to life, the spiraling dra seemed to stare back at her.
    He was not joking. It was impossible, she knew, but he wasn’t joking. Lisella had to remind herself to breathe. It couldn’t be all real. It couldn’t be.
    “The code sings for whom it will.” She mouthed the words her mentors had drilled into her as a child.
    Then she threw up.

Chapter 9
    Crushed Blossom
    Thaniel’s knees shook uncontrollably. He had a soldier on either side of him, each holding one of his arms.
    Lisella Ontar ignored the slaves still half cowering down the hall . She threw up a hand