The Dragon' Son Read Online Free PDF Page B

walking toward the village. The boys quickly scooped up the remaining tools and followed him. He occasionally looked back at Keegan and Braidden to make sure that they were getting along as he walked ahead of them.
     
    Keegan studied his father’s gait and tried to mimic it. His father had a long, strong stride, which Keegan liked very much. It seemed more manly and intimidating than his own stride. He walked on his toes more than his actual foot, and that did not make him feel very manly.
     
    “Stop trying to mimic Father,” Braidden whispered at Keegan, “You walk like grandfather did, and there is no shame in that. It is never shameful being who you are and were meant to be. Grandfather used to tell me that plenty.” He and Keegan exchanged smiles and Braidden put his arm around Keegan’s shoulders with a slight squeeze.
     
    Keegan was happy that he had a brother like Braidden. Braidden never let Keegan be anyone but himself. He said it was never shameful in being who you are and were meant to be, and he made sure Keegan heard that every week. It was Braidden’s favorite quote of Grandfather's. It was one of Keegan's favorites, too.
     
    As they neared the village, Keegan saw a man running toward them from the western fields. He waved his arms weakly, and his running pace was slow and dragging. His posture was slumped, and his right arm was drawn in close to his rib cage.
     
    “Wait!” he cried faintly. He waved his arms again then staggered and fell to the ground.
     
    The sight startled Keegan and made his stomach do a flip and tie itself into knots. He froze. A terrible, unexplained feeling crept over him. Barden let out a warning yell that boomed through the still air to the other men. He then dropped his tools to the ground and sprinted off toward the fallen man. Keegan forced his legs to move as he and Braidden also dropped their tools and followed their father with other men trailing behind them.
     
    Keegan did not know what he would see when they reached the man, but he had a feeling that it was not going to be good. He really didn't want to follow and see, but he did not want to be thought a coward among the men.
     
    When they reached the man, Barden dropped down to one knee and grasped him by the shoulders, turning the man face up. The man was one of the villagers--Saul’s father. His clothes were torn, and blood oozed from his head and below his rib cage. His face was deathly pale, and he struggled to breath.
     
    “Jardon, my friend, what has happened?” Keegan’s father asked as he glanced briefly at the wounds.
     
    Jardon opened his eyes slightly as he gasped. “Flee, flee for y-your lives,” he choked out. “Men, swords, h-horses. Fl-lee. They c-come to s-slay us all.” Jardon then let out his breath and gripped Barden’s shirt as if trying to hold on for dear life, then it was all over.
     
    Keegan felt his stomach lurch as a man died before his very eyes. His body seemed to go numb, and he felt like he was covered in cold sweat. His eyes began to water slightly, and his stomach threatened to throw out his afternoon meal. He wondered as he stared into the dead man's eyes if that was what it was like to die: fighting, gasping, pleading with life to stay, only to go in pain.
     
    He also wondered what had happened to Jardon? Was the same terrible death coming to visit everyone else? Keegan was afraid to admit that he felt a “yes” deep inside of him answer his question.
     
    Braidden put a hand on Keegan’s shoulder, diverting Keegan's gaze from the dead man to his brother. He looked Braidden in the eyes to see the same fear and uncertainty that he was experiencing, but he also saw a strong light of hope that comforted him greatly. Braidden firmly wrapped his arm around Keegan's shoulders and drew him close in brotherly comfort.
     
    Their father laid Jardon on the ground reverently and ran his fingers over the man’s open, lifeless eyes, closing them and leaving the man with a