Schism: The Battle for Darracia (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

globe, with colorful deep-sea specimens. Hands behind his back, the liquor giving him false courage, he wandered over, looking to engage in conversation but their remarks froze him in his tracks.
    “ So, if you marry him, there’s a chance his mother’s fishy toes will grace your children’s feet.”
    “ That white hair, even if it has a royal braid, is hard to stomach,” another said with a giggle.
    “ I don’t mind Zayden, he’s gorgeous.”
    “ You father would kill you and probably betroth you to Pacuto.”
    “ Did you see how small Pacuto’s tail is?”
    “ At least he has one!” came an amused reply.
    V ’sair stalked off, disgusted with the conversation. He despised them and wondered whether he would put up with one of them as a wife someday.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    V ’sair walked over to his father and dipped a knee.
    “ Sire.”
    “ Son.” Drakko looked at his V’sair’s flushed face and put his arm around the boy’s narrow shoulders. They were sturdy, he knew, but could they hold the weight of their world on them? He smiled conspiratorially at his older son and nodded toward a group of officers who were arguing in the corner. Zayden understood immediately, leaving to represent his father in the discussion. Drakko was proud of Zayden; he was a strong warrior, loyal, and one day would serve V’sair very well. He looked down at the frowning face of his younger son. This one had a special place in his formerly cold Darracian heart. He didn’t know he was capable of that kind of feeling until Reminda had entered his life. It was so simple but also so complicated now. He loved the boy, but would his people follow him?
    After so many years of strife, Drakko had forged a tentative peace that the citizens of the planet hadn’t shared for eons. Great Sradda willing, V’sair would be able to take Drakko’s foundation into the next generation. Their planet had been so close to total annihilation, with species killing species; it had been a brutal time. But the Elements had reached Drakko through his love for Reminda, and he had been able to turn the might of his armies to bring reason to all the warring factions. It was as difficult as riding a wild stallius. Although it was sometimes a thankless job, his work had paid off, and for the first time in many millennia, Darracia was enjoying a new awakening, and he was the driving force. Though many had tried to sabotage his plans, the planet was moving toward unity. Small outbreaks of violence still erupted, but he was working very closely with the Quyroos to bring about peace. Would V’sair be able to complete what Drakko had begun? He snapped to a servant to bring a drink to water down the liquor in his son’s stomach.
    V ’sair took in the lowered brows of his father and asked, “Something troubles you, sire?”
    “Just t he usual. How goes the studies, my son?”
    V ’sair declined the glass, but his father insisted. “Drink it, V’sair.”
    He did so with little grace, feeling it wash away the dreaminess of the drinks Zayden had shared with him. He liked those better, he wanted to tell his father, but chose not to. Instead, feeling courageous, he decided to broach the subject that stood between them.
    “ Father…” V’sair turned to look as his father. “When can I…I mean…studies are fine, but I must be tested by the Fireblade.”
    Drakko turned away abruptly. “No. You are not built for the Fireblade, V’sair. We will not discuss it.”
    “ But Dado,” V’sair complained, “how can your people respect me if I don’t accept the challenge? I must. It’s a rite of passage. How can I lead if I cannot set an example?”
    “ They are your people too, V’sair. Respect will come from what you do, not how you fight.”
    “ You have held this land together with force.”
    “ Only to bring peace.” He took his son by the arm and walked through the great room, waving away his guards. He nodded to Emmicus but