The Dragon's War Read Online Free PDF Page A

time. Both arrows flew true, in opposite directions, impaling and redirecting the balls of flame that came from either side. A third arrow was already in the air, this one dead center to where two of the targets converged, impaling both with such force the single arrow reversed their course. It did not appear that Skye would get off the fourth arrow, however, and the ball of flame was near to striking her when she simply took a stance, then thrust the arrow forward as if it were a sword, cleanly impaling the flaming ball of tar and hay and stopping it instantly. She stared at the missile on the end of her arrow as the fire smoked, then went out, and a slow smile spread across her features.
    All on the line had stopped in astonishment at a feat none thought they could replicate, one that the Tavinter had accomplished with ease. Skye dropped the arrow to the ground and snuffed out the remaining flame with her boot.
    “You were a little slow on that last one,” Senta called out across the field, which caused much laughter amongst the Royal Guard and a lot of shaking heads. They knew the formidable First General was as impressed as they were.
    “I will try harder next time, First General,” Skye called back.
    “Welcome back, First Ranger,” one of the Royal Guard called out, a sentiment echoed throughout the field.
    Eira moved back next to Skye on the line. “So, that is ‘out of practice’ for you.”
    “Well,” Skye said, feeling all of her confidence returning, “maybe I’m not as rusty as I thought.”
    The entire day was play. Skye spent some time on the archery range, joyfully challenging Torsten to games they made up, just as they did when they were children. Eira joined in, no matter how ridiculous the rules, and Senta was pleased to see that the deadly precision of her First Ranger had returned with a vengeance.
    Then Dallan and Rika came along and the play moved to swordsmanship. The Princess had picked up on Skye’s penchant for creating outlandish challenges. Lifa settled into the stands to watch and Skye waved to her, then blushed profusely, for Lifa was surrounded by Priestesses. Some were from Lifa’s own inner circle, Leya, Freya, and Ama, but Astrid flanked Lifa on one side and on the other was a woman as magnetic as the High Priestess. She had her arm around Lifa’s waist and Skye recognized Helena, Lifa’s mother, from the celebration at the Academy.
    The Queen joined the spectators, which only encouraged Dallan to ramp up the exuberant chaos of the free-for-all. Although none equaled Skye with a bow, the sword was Dallan’s forte and even Senta was tasked with keeping up with her. Senta had been responsible for much of Dallan’s training and was pleased to see her pupil close to surpassing her. Still, the joy of mock battle was not enough to deter the First General from her duties. When she locked swords with Dallan, she leaned in close to whisper to her.
    “Do you see the figure over there?”
    Dallan nodded, stepped around, and locked swords again. “Yes. I’ve been watching her for quite some time. Do you know who she is?”
    “No,” Senta said with some concern.
    The figure was doing nothing out of the ordinary, rather was just leaning against a stone wall with her arms crossed over her chest. There was nothing threatening in her stance. But she was fully hooded so that her features were hidden, unlike everyone else present, and the clothing itself did not lend itself to easy identification. It was plain, neither Tavinter nor Ha’kan, but perhaps elvish in origin. Senta could not imagine that anyone could get past the Royal Guard without challenge, and even if they did get past the Royal Guard, they would not evade the Tavinter who detected everything. But until very recently, there had been a contract with the Assassin’s Guild to kill a head of state, and the Queen, the Princess, and Skye were all right here. The figure was making Senta uneasy.
    “There’s one way to find