Rise of the Valiant Read Online Free PDF

her heart beating faster as she went. She knew it was
calling her.
    Baylor and the
others hurried to catch up with her as she neared the end, and as she did, she
turned and gasped at the sight before her. There stood what appeared to be a
horse, yet twice the size of the others, legs as thick as tree trunks. It had
two small, razor-sharp horns, barely visible behind its ears. Its hide was not
brown or black like the others, but a deep scarlet—and its eyes, unlike the
others, glowed green. They looked right at her, and the intensity struck her in
the chest, taking her breath away. She could not move.
    The creature,
towering over her, made a noise like a snarl, and revealed fangs.
    “What horse is
this?” she asked Baylor, her voice barely above a whisper.
    He shook his
head disapprovingly.
    “That is no
horse,” he frowned, “but a savage beast. A freak. Very rare. It is a Solzor.
Imported from the far corners of Pandesia. The Lord Governor must have kept it
as a trophy to keep on display. He could not ride the creature—no one could. Solzors
are savage creatures, not to be tamed. Come—you waste precious time. Back to
the horses.”
    But Kyra stood
there, rooted in place, unable to look away. Her heart pounded as she knew this
was meant for her.
    “I choose this
one,” she said to Baylor.
    Baylor and the
others gasped, all staring at her as if she were mad. A stunned silence ensued.
    “Kyra,” Anvin
began, “your father would never allow you—”
    “It is my
choice, is it not?” she replied.
    He frowned and
raised his hands to his hips.
    “That is no
horse!” he insisted. “It is a wild creature.”
    “It would as
soon kill you,” Baylor added.
    Kyra turned to
him.
    “Was it not you
who told me to trust my instincts?” she asked. “Well, this is where they have
led me. This animal and I belong together.”
    The Solzor
suddenly reared its huge legs, smashed another wooden gate, and sent splinters
everywhere and men cowering. Kyra was in awe. It was wild and untamed and
magnificent, an animal too big for this place, too big for captivity, and far
superior to the others.
    “Why should she
get to have it?” Brandon asked, stepping forward and shoving others out of his
way. “I am older, after all. I want it.”
    Before she could
reply, Brandon rushed forward as if to claim it. He went to jump on its back
and as he did, the Solzor bucked wildly and threw him off. He went flying
across the stables, and smashing into the wall.
    Braxton then
rushed forward, as if to claim it, too, and as he did it swung its head and
sliced Brandon’s arm with his fangs.
    Bleeding,
Brandon shrieked and ran from the stables, clutching his arm. Braxton scrambled
to his feet and followed on his heels, the Solzor just missing him as it tried
to bite him.
    Kyra stood,
transfixed, yet somehow unafraid. She knew that for her, it would be different.
She felt a connection to this beast, the same way she had to Theos.
    Kyra suddenly
stepped forward, boldly, standing right in front of it, in range of its deadly
fangs. She wanted to show the Solzor that she trusted it.
    “Kyra!” Anvin
shouted, concern in his voice. “Get back!”
    But Kyra ignored
him. She stood there, staring the beast in the eye
    The beast stared
back, a low snarl emanating from its throat, as if debating what to do. Kyra
trembled from fear, but she would not let the others see it.
    She forced
herself to show her courage. She raised a hand slowly, stepped forward, and
touched its scarlet hide. It snarled more loudly, showing its fangs, and she
could feel its anger and frustration.
    “Unlock its
chains,” she commanded the others.
    “What!?” one of
them called out.
    “That is not
wise,” Baylor called, fear in his voice.
    “Do as I say!”
she insisted, feeling a strength rise up within her, as if the will of this
beast were pouring through her.
    Behind her,
soldiers rushed forward with keys, unlocking its chains. All the while the beast
never took his