The Dragon's Champion Read Online Free PDF Page A

It’ll help keep you from getting too stiff.”
    Erik took off
his shirt and poured some of the clear liquid into his hand. It had no smell,
but the oil felt cool in his hand. As he rubbed it onto his shoulders, the
cool, tingling sensation turned hot. The heat penetrated below his skin and
went deep into his joints.
    “How’s that?” Janik asked.
    “It’s
wonderful,” Erik replied happily. “What is this?”
    “It’s a special
mixture that I use on my wrist and leg sometimes.”
    Erik gently
placed the bottle back on the counter and replaced the stopper. “Where did you
get it?”
    “Lady Dimwater
makes it for me,” Janik replied. “It sure beats anything those wanna-be healers
have, that’s for sure.”
    “Do you know her
well?” Erik asked. “Lady Dimwater I mean.”
    Janik raised an
eyebrow and turned to put the bottle back into the drawer. “I know her well
enough.”
    “Is there
something between her and Master Lepkin?” Erik asked.
    “It isn’t proper
to speak about others behind their backs,” Janik replied.
    “But if you saw
the duels, then you must have seen the argument between Lepkin and Orres. They
would have drawn swords against each other if not for her.” Erik folded his
arms and waited for an answer.
    “Actually, they
would have drawn swords because of her,” Janik replied. “A long time ago, that
is,” Janik clarified.
    “What do you
mean, exactly?”
    “I have told you
too much already,” Janik replied.
    “I must know,”
Erik pressed.
    “Why, what
business is it of yours?” Janik demanded.
    “Janik, don’t be
like this. Either you tell me, or I will find out for myself,” Erik promised.
    Janik smiled
slyly. “Very well, put the bucket back in the corner.”
    Erik scurried
over to the bucket and put it away. Janik watched silently. After the bucket
was in its place, Janik pointed to the door. Erik was confused for a moment. He
was unsure whether he was being dismissed or asked to close the door. He
decided to close the door, hoping that Janik was about to disclose a great secret.
    “Put your shirt
back on,” Janik instructed as he tossed Erik’s shirt at the apprentice’s face.
    Erik caught it
and fumbled as he tried to quickly pull it over his head.
    “I know you well
enough to know that you won’t stop pestering me about this,” Janik said. “But,
you will not mention to anyone what I am about to tell you.”
    “I swear,” Erik
replied.
    “Lady Dimwater’s
study is in the south tower,” Janik began. “If you want answers, you will have
to find them for yourself, but be forewarned that if you are caught this will
be far worse than any amount of demerits you can dream of.”
    Erik’s toes
fidgeted inside his boots. He was almost as excited about Lady Dimwater’s study
as he was scared of getting caught. “How do I get in?” Erik asked.
    “Luckily, I
happen to have the spare key.” Janik pulled a large key-ring from his coveralls
and searched through the seemingly endless keys. After a few moments he
separated a green key from the ring and tossed it to Erik. “As a janitor, I
have access to all rooms in Kuldiga Academy, except for Master Orres’ study.”
    “If I get
caught, they will know you gave me the key then,” Erik mused.
    “If you get
caught, I will say that you stole it,” Janik replied. “You do know the penalty
for stealing, yes?”
    “I do,” Erik
replied with a heavy sigh.
    “This is your
last chance to turn back. You can either help me clean windows, or you can
search for your answers. Which will it be?”
    Erik thought
hard for a few moments. The risk of getting caught would likely get him
expelled, if not thrown in the stockades first, and dishonor his adopted family
as well. He would probably never be able to find work outside of his adopted
father’s manor either, unless he was willing to join the army as a regular.
But, on the other hand, he had long wondered about Master Lepkin’s history.
Maybe he would finally be