Kingsteel (The Dragonkin Trilogy Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

nerves. “I’m going to do something I usually don’t do, Prince. I’m going to tell you the truth. I’m here because Fadarah is dying. A so-called Isle Knight cut him open at Shaffrilon. We need your help to get him back to our stronghold near the Wintersea.”
    Ziraari blinked. “We should play dice sometime, Sorcerer. If you survive, that is.”
    Shade caught his meaning but doubted that Ziraari would send half his army to scour the Wintersea when he was already in the middle of a war. “I speak the truth so that you’ll know you can trust what I am about to say next.” He paused for effect. “Karhaati wants you dead.”
    “He does?” Ziraari feigned shock then laughed. “You tell me what I already know.”
    “Call it a reminder, then. Karhaati is first in line to replace the Red Emperor when he dies, and from everything I hear, your youngest brother, Saanji, is no threat to anyone. You have ten thousand men with you, but they’re all footmen. I saw hardly any horses and no elephants—”
    “Damn Noshans poisoned my elephants. Unless it was Lochurites. Can’t say. But both will burn.”
    Shade smiled coldly, heartened by the prince’s display of emotion. “As I recall, Karhaati has a whole herd of armored elephants. Cavalry and chariots besides. Plus half a dozen conquered cities that he can bleed for wealth and slaves. And he has twice as many footmen as you do. If it comes to a fight, you’ll lose.”
    Ziraari bristled but said nothing.
    “You need all the help you can get. See us safely back to the Wintersea, and I’ll kill Karhaati for you.”
    Ziraari studied Shade. “Ziraari has seen magic. He knows what it can do. It can’t do that.”
    Shade smirked. “Magic got me into your tent, and I haven’t even slept for two days.”
    The Dhargot picked up his goblet again. He seemed to be pondering this. Shade pressed his advantage. “Once Karhaati is dead, his army will flock to your banner. Even Saanji’s men—”
    Ziraari spat on the floor again. “Saanji’s men are soft! Like him, they reject the Way of Ears. Like him, they deserve to die.”
    “Then you can kill him, too. And your father, once you get back to Dhargoth.” Shade decided to take a chance. Reaching out, he picked up Ziraari’s sword and handed it to the prince, hilt first. The rubies sparkled in the lamplight. “But first, Karhaati has to die. We can help you kill him. Or you can call your guards and gain nothing. Your choice, my prince.”
    Ziraari eyed the sword then took it. He held it as though testing its balance. Shade braced himself, hoping he had the strength to defend himself.
    Surely, even if Ziraari accepted his proposal, he would turn on him as soon as Shade had outlived his usefulness. But that will take time. If we can make it back to Coldhaven, if we can marshal what little strength we have left—
    Ziraari looked up, grinning suddenly. He reversed his jeweled sword and tucked the blade under one arm. He extended his other hand. “Ziraari accepts your proposal. Help me kill my brother, and I’ll see you safely back to the Wintersea. I swear it on the Dead God.”
    Just as you swore to help us fight the Sylvs? Shade took Ziraari’s hand, grasping the man at the wrist. He felt the Dhargothi prince’s pulse beneath his fingertips and fought the urge to boil it with fire. “Agreed. One more thing, though.” He tightened his grip. “Zeia. The Shel’ai woman you stuck in a hole. I want her back. Alive.”
    “Why, so you can bed her yourself?”
    “So I can kill her.”
    Ziraari looked confused. Finally, he laughed. He picked up his goblet again. He drank until wine stained his braided goatee. “So be it. The bitch is yours.” He called in his guards. “Wake my generals. Tell them the Shel’ai are our allies again. No one is to harm them. Then give this one an escort, fifty of my best men. They are to do whatever he asks. Any man who does otherwise will be impaled, on my orders.” With a sidelong