The Dragons of Decay Read Online Free PDF

realm. They have no
use for the fire realm, and so on. In the end, it was simply a clash
of egos between our rulers.”
    “Don't ever let them hear you say that,”
Aeris told him ominously.
    “They are well aware that we all know it,”
Kronk told him with some exasperation.
    “Maybe, but it's bad policy to bring up
someone's failings when that someone can obliterate you with a
thought.”
    “Interesting,” Simon said and picked
up his cup again. “Any other reason you're worried?”
    “I'm not worried, exactly. But let's face
it; things are becoming more unpredictable by the day, aren't they?
Dragons invading other worlds, battles between dwarves and mutated
dragons, the water elementals turning rogue and siding with the dark
gods. Let's just say that I'm becoming a little more cautious these
days.”
    Aeris glanced at the bright sunlight streaming
through the window.
    “Oh, by the way, Kronk, if you are letting
the horses out to get some exercise, you might want to do it now.”
    “Why?” the earthen asked with a frown.
    “Because there's a storm coming. And by a
storm I mean a blizzard. It could last for several days, so take
advantage of this last chance to let the horses stretch their legs.”
    Kronk looked alarmed and jumped off of the table.
    “Thank you, Aeris,” he said over his
shoulder as he hurriedly tip-tapped to the front door. “I'll
let them out right away.”
    As the little guy jumped up, opened the front door
and then slammed it behind him, Simon looked at Aeris in surprise.
    “You can tell if there's a storm coming?”
    “Why the look? I'm an air elemental, my dear
wizard. I know when storms are approaching the same way that Kronk
can feel an earthquake beginning to build up. It's in our nature, you
could say.”
    “Huh. The things I learn at the most
unexpected times. So how bad is this blizzard going to be?”
    Aeris looked at him soberly.
    “Very bad. I would advise you to contact
Clara and warn her to tell her people about it. They should get
enough supplies out of storage to last a few days; possibly a week.”
    “A week! Holy crap.”
    Simon grabbed the mirror and began casting the
Magic Mirror spell.
    “Oh and tell her to put extra guards on the
walls during the storm, just in case.”
    The wizard finished his incantation and looked at
the elemental, puzzled.
    “Why? You want them to guard against a
storm?”
    “No. I want them to guard against what might
be coming with the storm.”
    “Which is?”
    “Something horrible.”

Chapter
3

    The blizzard rolled in just as Kronk
returned the horses to the stable. Simon actually saw the white wall
of driving snow and wind approaching from his study window. It was so
dense that the world was blotted out as it came; a force of nature
that sent a shiver of fear running down his spine.
    He had called Clara to warn her and
she'd assured him that she would pass the word on to her people.
    “ What is it about this storm
that's got you so spooked?” he asked Aeris, who was hovering
over the window ledge next to him.
    “ Just a feeling, like I said.
In the old days of magic, creatures of darkness could use the cover
of storms, whether in summer or winter, to approach settlements.
Those days are gone, but the magic has returned. Who's to say that
the horrors from the old days haven't returned with it?”
    “ Now there's a comforting
thought.”
    Just before the storm obscured the
outside world completely, Simon had moved to the southern-facing
window, looked down at the front gate and frowned.
    “ Why are the gates open?”
he asked.
    “ They are?”
    Aeris flew across the room and looked
below.
    “ By the Four Winds, they are!”
    “ Well, damn it, get them
closed!” Simon had barked and then caught himself.
    “ Sorry. Please get them
closed,” he repeated in a lower voice.
    The air elemental snickered.
    “ There's a time for politeness,
my dear wizard, but this isn't it. I'll be right back.”
    He disappeared with a tiny pop