The Immortal Mystic (Book 5) Read Online Free PDF

tail. Their armor split apart and their broken bodies sailed end over end to land far away.
    The dragon soared fast as his wings would carry him. He crashed through one trebuchet, splintering the machine’s arm and crushing what was left with his tail as he sailed past it and devoured another machine with his fire.
    Something was very different.
    The usual nag of the book was not there. Lepkin couldn’t be sure of the reason, perhaps it was hidden far enough away in the well in Tualdern that he was sheltered, but whatever the cause he felt no dark powers pulling at his soul. He was free. Taking confidence in this knowledge he quickly destroyed all of the trebuchets. Then he went to work on the orc army. He destroyed scores of them with his fire, and those nimble enough to escape the flame were either finished by his sharp talons, or the army of men that rallied beneath him.
    The orcs soon turned and fled before his might. The whole army retreated back beyond the forests, and into the rocky hills to the south where they could regroup in the many caves. Seeing that he could not pursue them further without losing his advantages, Lepkin returned to his army and transformed back into a man.
    All eight dragon slayers came up to him. Six of them quickly helped Lepkin dress in his black armor once more. The seventh dragon slayer helped carry the eighth, as his leg was badly broken and useless. The army around them all cheered, but the eight said nothing. They only glanced at him with wide, suspicious eyes behind their Telarian steel visors.
    Lepkin offered them no explanation. He dressed, and then led the group back toward Ten Forts, helping to carry the wounded dragon slayer. No sooner had they set foot upon the road than a massive, black cloud appeared over the forest and drenched the whole battlefield in rain. Steam and smoke hissed as it rose above them. The only thing louder was the cheer of the men along the ramparts upon seeing the army approach the gates. The portcullis clanked and banged as it was quickly raised and the gates behind were pulled open.
    Mercer stood there in the gatehouse, arms crossed over his chest. Marlin was with him as well. They moved off to the side as the army marched into the keep. Lepkin and the other dragon slayers peeled off to stand before Mercer and give their report. Mercer held them all at attention and waited for the thundering cadence of boots to march past and the gates to close before speaking.
    “The trebuchets are destroyed?” Mercer asked.
    Lepkin nodded and removed his helmet. “They are no more. Additionally, we have managed to route part of the orcish army. They have run to the hills.”
    “No doubt to regroup and plan how to kill the dragon that scourged them,” Mercer said. His good eye narrowed on Lepkin and he cleared his throat. “I don’t know what kind of sorcery this is, but I don’t like it.”
    “It isn’t sorcery,” Marlin interjected. “It is a gift, given to the Keeper of Secrets.”
    “If it is a gift, then why hide it?” Mercer shot back. “Why not turn into a dragon and fly over the walls rather than risk my men?”
    “If I may,” Marlin started with a hand in the air. “I know the ways of Valtuu Temple are shrouded in rumor and mystery, but there are reasons behind everything.”
    “I don’t want preaching,” Mercer growled.
    Lepkin gently stepped in between them and pushed Marlin back. “The last time I took my dragon form, there was an accident,” he said. “It is no secret that there is a dark magic that plagues dragons in this land. I fell victim to it, and was nearly lost.” Lepkin glanced to the eight dragon slayers and nodded to them. “I feared to take the dragon form again, lest the curse reclaim me and turn me to evil, as it had almost done before.”
    “Then why do it at all?” Mercer pressed.
    “Sir,” one of the dragon slayers called out as he stepped forward “We were losing badly, sir. Many of our soldiers were slain.