Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

but Dalton was sure this was his friend from Salisburg.
    “But sir, we have other clothing you might be interested in,” the girl called after him, unable to hide her disappointment. “I would love to show you!”
    Dalton did not really hear her. He quickened his pace, and the man who looked like Makon turned and bolted up the street. Confused by the response, Dalton began to run after him. When the man glanced back and saw that Dalton was pursuing him, his gait became a full sprint. Both men dodged people and stands as the chase ensued.
    Once, Dalton nearly lost sight of Makon but happened to glance to his left and saw the leg of a man disappear down an alleyway. Dalton quickly made his way there and caught sight of the man disappearing around another corner.
    “Makon!” he called out, but this only seemed to intensify their run.
    Dalton’s curiosity turned to frustration, and he became determined to catch this man no matter who he was. After a few more minutes, Dalton gained significantly, and it became apparent that there was no place Makon could go to get away from him. Dalton was now within ten paces and breathing hard. They had just turned up another alleyway when Dalton finally had enough.
    He stopped. “Makon!” he shouted angrily.
    At that the man stopped and slowly turned around. It was indeedhis friend from training. Both men were breathing hard, and sweat flowed from their brows.
    “What do you want?” Makon scowled between ragged breaths.
    Dalton walked the remaining few paces and stood before his friend.
    “What…where…have you been?”
    Makon took a deep breath and turned away. “That’s none of your business,” he snapped. “Just leave me alone.”
    Dalton stepped forward and put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I can help you, whatever it is.”
    Makon quickly turned back and shoved Dalton’s hand from his shoulder. He then grabbed Dalton’s tunic with both hands and leaned in close to his face.
    “No, you can’t,” he said with great pain in his eyes. “And no one can help you either.” He leaned closer, his eyes filled with fear. “He’ll come for you too.” He glanced from side to side as if to see if someone was watching them. Then he pushed Dalton away.
    “Have you completely abandoned the Code, Makon?” Dalton asked.
    Makon snorted. “The Code is a farce, Dalton, written by some obscure person to lead the foolhardy on a wild chase.”
    To question the authenticity of the Code was to question the very essence of the order of the Knights of the Prince. Dalton was stunned by Makon’s statement, and yet he could think of no reasonable or logical reply.
    Makon leaned close to Dalton once more. “Leave me alone,” he said in a quiet but fierce voice. He turned and ran up the alleyway. “Just leave me alone!” he shouted again as he disappeared at the next corner.
    Dalton stood dumbfounded.
    What has happened to him?
he wondered. Why would Makon run from him, and why wouldn’t he talk? It made no sense. Dalton remembered the warning that Sir Orland had given the trainees a year and ahalf earlier about Knights of the Prince disappearing. Was this what he meant?
    Dalton walked back to the busy market street, but his mind was ever upon Makon and the few words he had spoken. The joy of the day had disappeared.
    Two days later, the sun disappeared behind thick dark clouds that seemed as though they would stay forever. In spite of the dreary sky, Putnam and Dalton had managed to gather more than two hundred of the citizens of Millvale. Putnam spoke as Dalton mingled with the crowd, ready to answer questions from the people.
    As Dalton heard Putnam speak the story of the Prince, he watched the people and marveled at the variety of responses. Some became angry, some scoffed, but others believed and grew joyful. Dalton thought about his own response to the story of the Prince and did not find it among the people.
    Why do I feel so numb to these words that dramatically change the