Son of the Dragon (The Netherworld Gate Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

said. “Then, you destroyed a network of human smugglers that had permeated through each one of your major cities. Truly you are an agent of value to your sovereign.” Vald set his jaw to the side and smoothed out the shoulders of Kelden’s shirt before smiling and bringing his hands down to his sides. His face took on a somewhat harder expression and his voice grew stern, but the smile still remained. “But then there is the matter of how you retook Rasselin. I won’t say I was sorry to learn of General Tehrigg’s death at your hands. I disliked working with the treacherous lout. However, your actions in Rasselin took an important foothold from my army. Now I will have to spend time hunting down all of the soldiers we had already captured that you released.”
    Kelden stood firm, watching Vald, but saying nothing.
    Vald shook his head. “Your actions were noble, from a Zinferthian point of view, but for me they are troublesome. You have made the roads more dangerous for my men. Supplies have to be well guarded now to avoid being attacked by marauders and guerillas.” Vald’s smile disappeared. “Then there is the fact that you had the audacity to try to kill me. I must say, it was a bold move. Had you succeeded, perhaps Kobhir would still stand under a Zinferth flag.” Vald sighed and glanced out to the men waiting in front of the gallows and then turned back to Kelden. “I am sure that Nage will reward you for your valor, but as a commanding officer, I cannot allow someone as dangerous as you to live.”
    Vald offered a half smile and motioned for one of the escorts to leave. He then turned back to Kelden. “I almost regret needing to do this. A man of your caliber is nearly unheard of.” Vald shrugged and shook his head. “However, I know that if I let you go, you would only find your way back to make more trouble for me, and I can’t have that. Please know, that I have the utmost respect for you, Captain Ferryl.”
    “You haven’t won yet,” Kelden said.
    Vald made a puffing sound through his nose and pursed his lips as he shook his head. “String him up,” Vald told the second escort.
    The coarse, thick rope scratched Kelden’s forehead as the noose was slid down into place. Kelden felt the escort’s hands work the rope, tightening the knot and centering it behind his head.
    The next few moments seemed a blur. Vald exited the courtyard and closed the door loudly. One of the soldiers standing in front of the platform came forward and started listing the charges against Kelden.
    Kelden eyed the seven Shausmatian soldiers and felt his anger grow inside of him. Then, he caught one of the soldiers winking at him. Kelden frowned and looked closer. The green eyed man slipped behind another Shausmatian and seemed to disappear into the small crowd as if he had only been a figment of Kelden’s imagination. Captain Ferryl scanned the group, searching for the green-eyed man, but the soldier who had been listing the charges against Kelden raised his arm and dropped it.
    The escort closest to Kelden kicked the stool out from under Kelden, and for half a second everything moved in slow motion. At first he didn’t feel himself falling down. His feet flew out with the stool, and his torso lurched backward as if he had slipped on something. The soldiers cheered and threw their fists in the air.
    Then Kelden felt himself descending. He tensed. His muscles stiffened and his eyes closed. He clenched his jaw. The air rushed up around him. His body was jerked violently upright and his legs swung back under him. His neck burned as the noose tightened and felt as if it were on the verge of breaking. His feet dangled only inches from the surface of the platform, but they were nowhere near close enough to support him.
    CRRRR-SNAP!
    Kelden’s vision blurred and darkened. He heard a loud thump and his head hit something solid. He gasped for breath, his whole body both numb and burning at the same time. He rolled over onto