Torn By War: 4 (The Death Wizard Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

of Bhayatupa’s scales, but he returned to his chair. Torg remained standing on the stair, but the air around him sizzled.
    “If anyone else interrupts before our guest is finished,” Rajinii said, “he or she will be removed from this chamber.”
    The queen returned to the throne. “ Torgon , please continue.”
    Torg nodded. “As I was saying, Mala’s army is strong. But my statement, which the general found so offensive, must be clarified. You could not defeat Mala’s army as it now exists, but Jivita will not meet Mala at full strength. The Chain Man first must deal with Nissaya. At the least, there he will be weakened. And then he will have to march another hundred leagues to meet you on the Green Plains. Your true hope lies with how serious of a blow the black knights deal to your enemy.”
    “These are wise words, Torgon , but you have said nothing we haven’t already surmised,” Rajinii countered. “We must learn what you know of the druids. Like Mala, we also will have to defeat a powerful enemy before we encounter the next one.”
    Torg took another step toward the throne and spoke directly to the queen. “I have seen the druids—from the ground and the sky. They are at least twice your number, and the queen who drives them is angrier and more powerful than her predecessor. Plus, they have bred a special form of druid that appears larger and more dangerous than usual. Jivita will be hard-pressed, even if the enemy from Dhutanga is the only one you face.”
    To Torg’s surprise, Laylah raised her hand. All eyes turned to her.
    “Yes?” Rajinii purred.
    The sorceress stood. In her bedroom at the palace she had changed her clothing and now wore a Tugarian warrior outfit: black jacket and breeches. It took Torg’s breath away.
    “I apologize if I have broken protocol by interrupting. But there is something that I believe needs be said before anyone else continues.”
    The large clergyman nodded vigorously, as if clairvoyantly hearing Laylah’s next words.
    “And what might that be, dear?” the queen said.
    “Mala’s army and even the druids are perilous enemies, no doubt,” Laylah said. “But neither is as deadly as my brother.”
    Navarese stood and bowed to the queen. “May I speak now, your highness?”
    Rajinii nodded. Then the general pointed to the clergyman. “It is obvious she has conversed with Bernard.”
    Torg started to intervene, but Laylah waved him off. “Sir! I do not know the name or the man,” she said to Navarese. “What I have to say has nothing to do with schemes or intrigue. Invictus is my brother ! And I was his prisoner for more than seventy years. I daresay I know him better than you. Compared to Invictus, your other enemies are trifles. What does it matter if you defeat the druids and then Mala, if my brother strolls in afterward and destroys us all?”
    As if on cue, the clergyman stood. “For the sake of our esteemed guests, allow me to introduce myself. Proud lady,” he said, nodding to Laylah, “and mighty warriors,” he added, gesturing to Torg and Elu, “my name is indeed Bernard . . . Archbishop Bernard . . . and I have been preaching an almost identical warning for more than a year, much to the chagrin of my rivals on the council. Perhaps now my words will be given more credence.”
    “No single being can stand against Jivita,” interrupted the general, his voice crude when compared to the wizened clergyman’s. “I believe even Invictus can be defeated, if we are smart enough and bold enough. I fear one hundred thousand druids far more than a single man. And more so, I fear the dragon. The beast’s name has been mentioned, but we have not yet discussed the danger he represents.”
    “Sir!” Laylah repeated. “I stood within a stone’s throw of the dragon as he was dragged through the streets of Avici. Invictus bested Bhayatupa as easily as a man of your stature could best a boy. Anyone who fears the dragon more than the sorcerer is