Taylon Read Online Free PDF Page A

feet, and more were picking themselves up after the blast
had thrown them. He counted six.
    Kicking his horse into action, he searched
for his remaining triggermen. Two he found badly burned. They were
conscious but in a lot of pain. Taylon summoned a few of his
soldiers to come tend the wounded. He found a third triggerman
unconscious. His head had hit a rock. Fortunately, his helmet had
taken most of the blow.
    But there were still three missing men. It
wasn’t until the dust cleared that Taylon found them—or what was
left of them.
    A tumultuous cheering arose as the dust
clouds settled and the effects of the explosions were evident. Huge
sections of the wall gaped. Weak columns stood between the blast
points, continuing to crumble as time ticked by.
    The captain looked back at his men. Fools.
You do not know what you are in for. If only he could tell
them, and even now, it was too late. Euphoria had such a grip on
the army, her army. They would do anything for her. Even kill him,
if she commanded it.
     
    ***
     
    Night fell and the three found themselves at
Niava’s Niche. Gantha sat there quietly waiting for the other two
to speak, but there hadn’t been one word spoken amongst them since
the quick retreat from Shalaydis. And now, they sat around a table,
empty mugs stacking up before them.
    The tavern wasn’t as busy as the night Gantha
stayed there, but he recognized a few patrons. Old Duff, the
minotaurian that almost clobbered Lourak, was at the same table
minding his own business.
    Niava noticed Gantha right away. He put up
with her advances because he didn’t have any energy left. He hadn’t
found a way to process everything yet.
    Fret’s eyes were wide when they had come in.
The wizard roughly sat the human at a table. A goblin at another
table picked his teeth with one long yellowed nail. Its huge eyes
looked over and stared at Fret. The human quickly averted his
gaze.
    Things got better as the ale set in.
Everyone’s nerves calmed, and things just got smoother.
Happier....
    After two rounds with no one saying anything,
the wizard finally spoke. “I think…your prophecy is coming
true.”
    Gantha stared into his glass. “Ya think? It
seemed like a normal council meeting to me.”
    Ynob began to smirk, followed by Gantha and
soon they were both laughing out loud. Fret joined in, but his
laugh came out shakily and unsure.
    Niava slithered over to the table. Gantha
expected Fret to freak out seeing a creature that was half woman,
half snake. But, he didn’t even do a double take when he caught
sight of her lower half.
    “That is a pretty bodice you have on. It
really brings out your eyes.” Gantha looked at the boy, amazed at
the human’s blunt words.
    The echidna blushed, tilted her head, and
batted her eyes at the boy. “And here I thought all humansss were
asss rude as the wizard over here.”
    Ynob started to drink and choked on his beer.
“Now, wait just a minute….”
    “Husssh. Let me get your food order asss I
can tell you have had nothing to eat in awhile. I don’t mind the
happy drinkersss, but anything elssse I usssually frown upon. And
you don’t want to sssee me frown now, do you?” She bent low and
grabbed Fret’s face, turning it so their noses almost touched. He
shook his head and her snake-like tongue darted out and licked
him.
    She straightened up and took their order,
Gantha ordering for Fret. Once she had departed, talk began
again.
    “So, what was that back at Pajote, ’cause I
don’t think it was Da’Lynn,” Gantha asked, turning to Ynob.
    The wizard took a deep breath and sat back.
“Remember when we first met? I was in a coma and Snow was taking
care of me. I had been fighting, and losing, to a creature very
much like that.”
    “Lyra,” Fret whispered as he finished off his
ale. When he set down his cup, the other two were looking at him.
“What?”
    “I think it is time we heard your story. And
I am guessing that we need the whole thing, from Faldoa to