The Last Heroes Before Judgement Read Online Free PDF

weight of two mile high glaciers. However, the ground was still hidden in a mist. Grandfather hopped off the steed and walked out into the darkness, leaving Grandmother to sew the beast’s many bites.
    “So, what do we do now? Will there be breakfast?”
    “I’m with the barbarian. Who’s got a rod? Where is the nearest river?”
    “More importantly, where are we? And where did Grandfather run off to? Do the Lantos require we meet them in secret? I have been through enough today.”
    “Why don’t you all get down and start the blood flowing? You’ll be marching out there yourselves soon enough. Omar, help me with the breech.”
    They loosened the straps for the steed and spoke in whispers. When he felt the first stitch slide through his skin, he kicked the cart hard. I saw the wisdom in keeping all his belts loose but still latched. Lazarus followed the tracks in the snow to find some privacy, leaving Senjay and I to talk about our future exploits.
    “We’ll have to hunt monsters for some local princess.”
    “Ah, but first, we have to save her from a dragon.”
    “Oh yea. But, it will take an army to do that.”
    “Perhaps we can hire some pirates with fool’s gold. Then, before we get caught, the dragon will them all off.”
    “I was thinking some king would be willing to place his own men under our command- if only for the safe return of his daughter.”
    Omar interrupted our game by sucking his teeth. We stopped to wait for whatever ridiculous statement he would make. He waited for Lazarus to walk back, as his ego demanded the largest possible audience at all times.
    “You lot have no idea. You’re all headed into the badlands wearing a blindfold.”
    Senjay tapped me and motioned to where Lazarus was staring. Only the golden hilt implant on the back of Grandfather’s head could be seen a hundred yards into the mist. The upward facing crescent shape smiled at us, willing us to be next. The men he was talking to waived their blades around him. They were only showing off- so he showed no fear. The giant figure they had with them was his primary concern. He could have sat on a horned mega steed and rode it like a pony.
    “Who are they?”
    “Did they bring a golem?”
    “Yea, what is going on out there? In what country did we wake up?”
    “Excellent, your ride is here. Right then, line it up.”
    Omar seemed happy to be rid of us, but we played toy soldier with him one last time. We lined up beside Lazarus, pretending to be heroes, despite every one of us shaking from the nerves.
    “This is a time of peace. Your mission, if you live long enough to complete it, will be paramount. Ride far to the outer territories, and guard our nation’s borders with a wary eye. If, and when the ancient enemy dares to return,-”
    “Fight for freedom. Die with honor.”
    Senjay, of course, remembered the rhyme his father always shouted. Omar was not one for interruptions. He pushed out his jaw and continued. I could see that he was using the game as a cover to say goodbye without displaying his true emotions.
    “You had better stand up straight boy. And square up those shoulders too.”
    Lazarus shook Omar’s hand and turned to watch grandfather walk back.
    “Little brother, don’t get killed. I don’t want to have to hear that crying fit. And, don’t you find your way back carrying a baby by some obnoxious harlot. Remember to make Mother proud. And stay out of the pits. You are no Stonefist- baby brother.”
    Senjay hugged his brother and whispered something in his ear. Then he went to say goodbye to his grandparents alone.
    “Swillian, don’t you turn traitor on us. When your cousins come spilling onto our shores, you had better keep Senjay safe.”
    “Wait, I thought I would be dead before morning.”
    “Sun’s not up yet Matthius, and the UNF don’t take in damaged goods. Bad enough they take in spotted savages.”
    Omar dropped the courtesy and leaned in to whisper.
    “Don’t forget why you wear