Necrophobia Read Online Free PDF

old man driven paranoid and distrustful over the years but it irked her regardless. Her own experiences taught her not to act without the full details and to temper enthusiasm with caution; and though she struggled with the latter she knew its importance.
    “You’re a sharp one.” He remarked. “They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree don’t they? What do you make of this? What is your theory?” She hesitated — initially the remark sounded condescending but after more thought she realised from his tone it was a genuine question.
    “Well, I agree — the temple’s a diversion. Their real goal is at the peak of this mountain and they want it bad enough to sacrifice a lot to keep the Caelites at bay.”
    He nodded and listened.
    “The Caelites buried their treasure deep within the stronghold or so I’ve heard; so it’s not that. The mountain’s a sacred religious site but I doubt they care for that either.” She tapped her chin with her finger as she thought. “Besides the bodies, burial weapons and a stunning view of the island there’s nothing at the summit. It doesn’t add up.”
    “I concur with you so far Claire, anything else?” Razakel replied. It occurred to her she’d never told him her name, but she supposed that added credence to his claims to have known her mother. Besides whether she wished to admit it or not she was enjoying this.
    “The bodies of the former Caelite Commanders and their weapons are valuable but, this—” She waved a hand towards the distance smoke plumes. “Is a high price to pay for those. It’d make more sense to sneak in and steal those. Or, they could use their entire force to sweep through the tomb in minutes before anyone could respond.”
    Despite the freezing air she was grateful, the fresh cold breeze cleared her head and freed her senses. The heavy burning of incense dulled her mind after a while. The sorcerer remained silent; watching her with a warm smile. He was intrigued. Once again she felt he was testing her — though to what end she wasn’t sure. She knew she didn’t have to prove herself to him or to anyone but there was something about his demeanour and his keen intellect that made you wish to try. Above them the clouds swirled around the peak and the snowfall increased as the storm intensified. The god of storm’s rage manifested in ferocious winds and bitter chills. The murals etched painstakingly across the walls of the tombs always showed Caelus as a dragon formed of lightning and blackened storm clouds descending upon the mountain; now more than ever she felt her belief justified. The encroaching storm may well be a prelude to the wrath of Caelus.
    “Dragons!” Her sudden outburst echoed down the empty corridors and startled the sorcerer. He raised a bushy white eyebrow. “Ancient dragons of Caelus protect the summit. There are others in the mountains beyond but this one guards the tombs. Ancient and powerful. You’d need an army to—”
    They smiled. “Yes indeed. But tell me, what does a dragon represent to you?”
    “Power?” She shook her head. “No. If you can capture a dragon you’d need something stronger to subdue it. Freedom perhaps? But I can’t imagine any noble dragon offering a ride.”
    “Freedom perhaps. A dragon could take you anywhere you wished. Even across the Endless Ocean I would imagine.”
    “Wisdom.” She replied watching the smile widen on his face. “They’re wise and ancient, with knowledge passed down by the gods. The keepers of forgotten lore.”
    “Precisely.” He said placing a hand upon her shoulder and grinning. He removed it after a few seconds and looked almost embarrassed as if he’d crossed a line and insulted her. “The Caelites may bury their treasure beneath their stronghold but their real treasure is knowledge.”
    Claire rolled her eyes with fake mockery. “Spoken like a true scholar.”
    “Trite I know. I know. Still — now we know what to expect. So tell me — are you