The Dragon's Champion Read Online Free PDF

able to unravel the mystery of the great battle at
Gelleirt monastery, and of course, what exactly caused a rift between Lepkin
and Orres. The trophy was too much for Erik to turn down. He reached out and
grabbed the key from Janik’s hand.
    “I’ll go,” Erik
said decisively.
    “Then, for both
our sakes, I suggest you not get caught.” Janik limped over to a small desk and
sat behind it in a padded chair. He shuffled a couple of papers on his desk and
then looked at Erik. “I have often seen a diary on Lady Dimwater’s desk. I
would imagine that the answers you seek can be found in it. Usually all of the
Masters and Ladies are gone around four-thirty. Since today is a Friday, no one
should be around at all tonight, except for me and Groundskeeper Rick. I will
need the key back tonight by eight o’clock. If the key is not back by then, I
will have to fill out a report stating that the key is lost. Do you understand?”
    “Yes sir,” Erik
replied. He glanced over at the grandfather clock by the window. “It’s almost
five, shall I go now?”
    Janik waved his
hand and sighed. Erik couldn’t be sure if Janik was happy about this, but Erik
had to know more about Lady Dimwater. What was between her and Master Lepkin?
Had she used magic to calm Master Orres in the courtyard? And what was the
potion she made for Janik? These, and many other questions about Master Lepkin,
ran through his head as he made his way toward the south tower.
    As he walked
through the halls, Erik was careful not to make heavy footsteps. He kept an eye
out for people as well. He strained his ears, listening for any sign of others,
but the halls were empty. He relaxed a little after he passed through the
dining hall. He knew that he was going the right way when he noticed that he
was walking past paintings of great wizards of the past.  He didn’t know
much about wizardry aside from the fact that magic was a gift. You were either
born with natural ability or you had to turn to the dark arts to gain it. There
were many stories of dark wizards in the land that struck deals with demons in
exchange for great powers. In fact, the existence of the Shadowfiends, as they
were called, was almost the sole reason for the existence of Kuldiga Academy.
Since Kuldiga Academy’s founding, new problems and threats rose against the
kingdom and Kuldiga Academy was expanded until it finally became what it was
now, with several different types of apprentices learning and hoping to graduate
as professionals in their specific fields.
    Erik paused to
gaze at a grand depiction of a sorcerer battling winged demons on a mountain.
The colors were striking and overall the painting was masterfully done, but
that is not what captured his attention.  In the painting there was a
second human. This man held an axe and shield, covered in blood. At the man’s
feet lay four slain demons, but it was the man’s face that Erik stared at. It
looked like Janik, if you took away the wrinkles from Janik’s face that is.
    Erik looked down
at the brass plate on the bottom of the frame and read the words etched
thereon.
    “The rescue of
Lady Zana, daughter of Count Reginald,” Erik read aloud. Erik squinted at the
painting, trying to discern if the axeman really was Janik.
    Out of the
corner of his eyes, Erik saw something move across the hallway. He turned, but
saw nothing. He listened carefully, but there was no sound. The hairs on the
back of Erik’s neck stood on end and a chill ran down his back. He gave the
painting one more look and then resumed walking toward the south tower.
    As Erik exited
the hall with the paintings, he couldn’t help but turn and look over his
shoulder. He could feel something watching him. It was the worst feeling he’d
ever felt. He looked around the small chamber, which was merely an intersection
of four cold hallways, and checked for any sign of movement.
    “Don’t let fear
take control,” Erik whispered to himself. “Janik walks here every day