Seeker (The Source Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

took a breath, composing himself.  “Lyrra-Sharron, you know I rarely disagree with you.  But I can’t let you commit so much of our resources on a chancy mission like this.  Going into Gara-Sharron is too risky.  Without his powers, can this sorcerer be worth it?”
    She was surprised by his reaction.  Dak had never shown that kind of emotion or unbridled concern before.  She found her mood, if not her resolve, softened by that.  “Sorcerers usually have a great deal of knowledge gained from all their study, so yes.  I think it imperative that we at least try.  Besides, even if we fail to get him, we can do something that will really make the King take notice.  This is a good opportunity to publicly embarrass him, Dak.  We had to do something like this to further our ambitions at some point.  The opportunity is upon us now.”
    Lyrra-Sharron changed her tone as she reached a decision. “In fact, let us bank on that, and make rescue of this Sorcerer a secondary objective.”
    Dak took a clearly self-conscious step back.  “As you say, Lyrra-Sharron.  I’ll have them ready your horse.  You’ll need a disguise, too.  I’ll ride ahead and assemble my contacts.  We’ll meet at the North checkpoint we established last month.”
    “Agreed,” she replied.  “I shall send Torman back to the others, and have them dispatch a body to this village.  Nadav has become more certain of himself, and I believe can handle command until we return.  Torman shall take charge of a group to set up camp here.  I shall join you at the checkpoint soon.”
    Lyrra-Sharron watched as an almost tender expression momentarily seemed to pass over Dak’s face.  He appeared to catch himself, and his usual air of total indifference returned.  “As you say, Lyrra-Sharron.  I’ll see you at sunset.”
    Without another word, nor leave to do so, he swung into his saddle hastily, and rode to the next raider.  Lyrra-Sharron watched as he spoke briefly to him, and the raider ran off.  Dak glanced back, gave a hasty salute to her, then spurred his horse towards the gate, and was away again. 
    The reaction he caused in her was somewhat surprising, and a little disturbing, too.  It was only a moment before Lyrra-Sharron shook herself.  Dak Amviir was her second, nothing more.  This kind of tension had never passed between them before, and she did not want to deal with it again.  Her mission was all that mattered.
     
     

Chapter 4
    Varlock-Sharron sat upon his throne, lost in thought.  He wore a well-practiced look of patient understanding as a pair of nobles, Barons, bickered with one another before him.  It was all he could do to not grind his teeth.
    His Seneschal stood somberly to his right.  Lord Tulock Oran was a handsome man barely thirty, with close-cropped red hair and green eyes.  He was a tough, strong man, quite nearly as intelligent as he was handsome.  And a marvelous archer as well.
    It was quite a while ago they had met, during a border skirmish where the King had led his troops into battle personally.  Lord Tulock, then Captain Oran, had argued extensively with Varlock-Sharron about his proposed plan.  As the other officers and nobles watched, Captain Oran had piece by piece torn apart the King’s plan, summarily showing him its flaws.  The young man, then only twenty, had proceeded to create a stronger plan of attack right before the King’s eyes.
    The others present had waited for the King’s temper to explode, and for the inevitable call for the Captain’s removal.  But it would never come.  Varlock-Sharron did not appreciate being told he was wrong.  But when the proof was irrefutable, how could he believe otherwise?  And to find a man willing to put himself at stake, by expressing an opinion contrary to his liege - well, that was what made a man honorable.  So the King rewarded the brash young officer, and together they led the forces of Sharron to an easy victory. 
    Varlock-Sharron