The Fractured Sky Read Online Free PDF

ears.

Chapter Two
    Zasian reared back from the half-dragon sprawled before him. The priest expected the whelp of Clan Morueme to attack him the moment he became lucid, but Myshik only writhed upon the grass in obvious pain.
    He burns, Zasian realized. Already, terrible lesions had formed on the bluish skin, ugly and red. Some had begun to fester, becoming yellow pustules. Vhok and Aliisza had had the benefit of the water, he remembered. The foul bile from the dragon’s innards did not punish them as severely.
    Myshik groaned and tried to wipe away the caustic fluids from the storm dragon’s stomach that coated him, but each touch made him twitch and recoil. Zasian merely watched for a moment, wondering what had possessed the creature to follow him and the cambion through the portal. He’s either a fool or totally devoted to his cause, the priest decided. Either way, I cannot have him interfering.
    Zasian rose up, prepared to lash at Myshik with a rake of his claws. He would rend the draconic hobgoblin into pieces and be done with him. But Myshik saw the movement and sprawled forward onto his stomach as if in supplication.
    “Master,” he said, almost plaintively, “heal me and I am yours to command.”
    Zasian halted his impending strike. “Serve me?” he asked. He had not thought of such a possibility. “Why would you choose to serve me now, after….” Suddenly, he realized that Myshik did not recognize him as the priest accompanying Vhok. The half-hobgoblin only perceived him as a great storm dragon.
    “I am lost in this place, and you are kin,” Myshik said, looking up. “Why would I not? All I ask is that you reward me for my faithful service, that I may someday return to my clan a hero.” He grimaced in pain.
    Zasian wanted to smile. Yes, he thought, I’ll reward you. But before I destroy you, perhaps I can make some use of you after all.
    “Why are you here?” he demanded, letting the deep, rumbling voice of the storm dragon wash over Myshik. “How did you come to be inside me?”
    “I—I followed someone,” the draconic hobgoblin replied, sounding uncertain. “The foe of my sire, a greedy fiend.” Myshik paused, grimacing. When the suffering lessened, he continued. “He and another entered a most peculiar passage, perhaps a portal to this place. Did any others arrive as I did?”
    “Why do you seek this fiend?” Zasian asked, letting his borrowed voice continue to boom. “What interest does he hold for you?”
    “It is my uncle’s bidding that I slay this fiend. Back where I come from, he and his army encroach upon my clan’s territory. If I were to defeat him and return home with proof of the deed, I would be honored among my kind.”
    Zasian considered a moment. “Very well,” he said, “I will
    accept your servitude. Our purposes might not be so crossed, it would seem.”
    Do you know the efreeti saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend? Zasian wondered. But he kept his identity to himself.
    The priest contemplated how best to heal the creature abasing himself before him. Between the battle within the sultan’s palace and the unexpected fight with the angel and his sidekick upon arriving on the plane, Zasian had exhausted the majority of his divine magic. After fleeing from the deva, he had needed the rest of it to treat his own wounds. He had nothing left to give, at least for the moment.
    Besides, he thought, I don’t want to give too much away about myself. He wouldn’t suspect a dragon of such divine power as I have, so why tip my hand? Zasian had an idea.
    “Can you travel?” he asked Myshik.
    The hobgoblin nodded.
    “Then I will bear you to a place where you can bathe in the very energy of the gods. The waters I know of will cleanse you of any taints and poisons, scour away your wounds, and fill you with the power to aid me as only a suitable servant should. In return for this boon, I expect you to hold to this bargain we make here. If you break our agreement, I