Legends of the Dragonrealm: Shade Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Why are you here, Valea? You know the risks these days. We’ve only now news that both Black and Red are on the move.”
    “I—I wanted to tell you that there’s still no word from Aurim,” she quickly answered.
    “Your brother’s affairs will be dealt with accordingly,” the wizard replied, brow wrinkling at mention of his son. “I’ve little doubt that he’s secreted in the Dagora Forest, helping Yssa with her father.”
    “I could go to him! He’d listen to me.”
    A slight flush of anger touched the wizard’s cheeks. “Out of the question! Aurim should never have returned there, much less offered assistance to the lord of Dagora! Green’s proven that he can’t be trusted anymore! He’s chosen over and over to make decisions he believes best for the Dragonrealm without any consultation with others and without thought of the possible repercussions . . .”
    Valea glanced at her parents, then looked for help from the other female present. “Troia . . . ?”
    “I am inclined to their opinion,” the feline creature murmured as she left her place by the rail to join the Gryphon. She was of a tawny color and clad in much slighter garments that would not inhibit her in any manner. Her short fur covered all but her face, which was an exotic and appealing combination of cat and human. In contrast to the Bedlam women, her hair was short, just above the shoulder, and fashioned tight,as if to keep it from getting in the way during a hunt. “After all, it was my husband’s best friend and trusted general, Toos, who died because of Green’s vision of what course the Dragonrealm should take.”
    As she leaned toward the Gryphon, his face transformed. He now bore the handsome, somewhat weathered patrician features of a human king, the feathers and mane becoming silvered hair that flowed down past his neck. The two briefly kissed.
    “Toos died performing his duty,” the Gryphon commented as his face returned to that of a bird of prey. The human form was but a temporary one and seen little by any outside a small circle of trusted friends and his own family. “A duty made necessary by Green’s belief that Kyl’s brother would better serve as Dragon Emperor.”
    Cabe confronted his daughter again. “Except that Green didn’t know that Grath was Duke Toma’s puppet. Imagine if Green had succeeded.”
    “But, Father! Aurim is just—”
    “Enough.” Cabe spoke quietly but firmly in a tone that brooked no further argument. When Valea silently nodded, he added, “We’ll deal with Aurim’s situation when we can. For now, we’ve weightier matters.”
    “You’ve captured Shade?” the younger enchantress gasped.
    “No . . . he escaped.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    Gwendolyn Bedlam guided her daughter from the rest of the group. “I know you hate being asked to stay in the Manor, but times are very treacherous now. You know that we have been and will be targets of those serving the Black Dragon, darling. Besides, your skills are needed to maintain the security of the Manor itself. Outside of the Libraries of Penacles, it is the greatest fount of magical knowledge known.”
    “We really do not have time for this,” the Gryphon rasped. “Cabe, if you wish to continue with the hunt for Shade, we need to discuss that now.”
    “You’re right. Valea, please return home.”
    “Yes, Father.” She gestured slightly with both hands. Unseen by Troiabut visible to the rest, Cabe’s daughter manipulated lines of force that crisscrossed the area. In fact, they crisscrossed not only the balcony but the entire building and even the kingdom without. The lines represented the magic of the world itself, the very energies that kept it in balance. Those with the gift often saw magic this way and, with practice or special aptitude, could use it to their greater advantage.
    Valea disappeared.
    Cabe exhaled greatly. “I was afraid she would refuse.”
    “She is nearing that point, my love,” Gwen replied with