Riven (The Arinthian Line Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

children of Treyus, the God of War—”
    “—Mr. Stone!” Mya cried, a hand over her mouth. “You mustn’t speak the name of the Unnameables. It brings ill tidings.”
    “That is a belief shared by many, not just the common folk. Yet is it a true one?”
    Augum, who also had been brought up to never speak the names of the Unnameables, could hardly believe Thomas would risk being wrong. It must be because he was a Leyan, or perhaps Ley itself allowed him sanctuary from ill tidings.
    “As it is,” Thomas continued, “legend says the Dreadnoughts are the God of War’s children, and that it was He who trained them in the arts of war, as well as how to forge superior weapons and armor. One day, the children rose against the father, and so he cast a powerful curse on them—they were to serve a master, and when no master was there to be served, they were to sleep until a new one emerged to command them.”
    Leera’s brows rose. “Dreadnoughts are evil?”
    “They reflect their master, nothing more.”
    “So how do you become the Lord of Dreadnoughts anyway?” she pressed, quickly adding, “not that I’m interested in becoming their master, of course.”
    “Occulus slew the previous Dreadnought lord and took his place. The one before him did the same. It has been this way for eons. Once in a long while, however, the heir to the Dreadnought throne forsakes power for peace.”
    “My ancestor …” Augum whispered. The pieces were falling into place.
    “Atrius Arinthian was indeed such a man. He had the choice, upon slaying Occulus, of becoming the Lord of Dreadnoughts. He abdicated and they went to sleep. He was thus the last to see one for some time … until now.”
    “Until now?” Mya asked.
    “Yes. The Dreadnoughts are waking to a new lord.”
    “Unnameable gods,” Bridget murmured, placing her gaze on Augum.
    “What? What is it?” he asked, feeling a cold prickle. When she did not reply, it hit him. “Sparkstone …”
    “Yes,” Thomas said. “The Lord of the Legion has also become the Lord of Dreadnoughts.”
    Augum placed a hand to his forehead. He did not need to know much about the Dreadnoughts to know that Sparkstone becoming the master of a race of superior weapon and armor makers was dire news for Solia … for all of Sithesia.
    “Mr. Stone, forgive me, but, how do you know for sure?” Bridget asked.
    Thomas glanced skyward at the racing clouds. “Although we Leyans have withdrawn from your world, we nonetheless keep watch through arcane means.”
    Sydo’s brows furrowed. “What about Augum and Bridget’s Dreadnought blades, are they not evil then?”
    “A child is not born with the sins of its parents.”
    Bridget began pacing back and forth. “We have to tell Mrs. Stone.”
    “But I don’t understand something,” Augum said. A thousand things, really. “How could Sparkstone gain control of the Dreadnoughts?”
    “Through the bones of Atrius Arinthian.”
    Bridget stopped pacing as Augum gaped.
    “He’s going to raise my ancestor from the dead?”
    Firelight reflected in Thomas’ black eyes. “It has already been done.”
    “Gods …” Prince Sydo mumbled, playing with the buttons on his doublet while staring at his statue.
    Augum remembered the beautiful tomb his ancestor rested in and shivered at the idea of it ripped open. “Does this mean he’ll raise more of my ancestors from the castle crypt?”
    “The future is as yet unwritten, Augum Stone.”
    Augum exchanged looks with Bridget and Leera. So his father’s ambitions were even greater than they had feared.
    “Let us move on to your training,” Thomas said after giving them time to digest this new information. “Mya Liaxh—certain herbs and plants are growing amongst the trees before you. Gather as many as you can and we shall then confer together.”
    “Yes, m’lord.” Mya curtsied and walked off to the encircling forest, already searching the ground. Augum watched her depart with a tinge of