Dragonbound IV by Rebecca Shelley

Author:Rebecca Shelley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dragons, fantasy, red dragon, magic, YA, R. D. Henham, dragon codex
Publisher: Rebecca Shelley
Published: 2014-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Kanvar leaned against the ship’s rail and watched the sun rise over Daro. Heat ripples undulated above the water and flowed across the docks. A ragged Varnan desert robe protected his skin from the brightness and covered his armor and sword. He’d left his crossbow with their other gear below.

A cloud of dust hung over the long rows of mud-brick buildings. His heart swelled at the sight of his childhood home. He loved Daro and was glad to be returning even under such dire circumstances.

“I’d forgotten about the constant dust,” Kanvar said to his grandfather who stood beside him on the sleek merchant ship. It had made good time across the ocean. The captain had set all other concerns aside when Kumar Raza had explained to him about the threat set to launch against Daro. Still, Kanvar had feared they might come too late. But when they had entered the mouth of the channel all seemed to be well.

The captain strode up to Kumar Raza, carrying a spy glass.

Kanvar dropped his gaze to his feet and slumped submissively. He’d been posing as Kumar Raza’s servant and was surprised how easily he’d fallen back into the role he’d played for so many years with Chandran.

“Have a look,” the captain said, handing the glass to Kumar Raza and pointing across the channel toward Maran.

Kumar Raza focused the spy glass and swore. “They’ve launched the fleet. We’re almost too late. How long until we dock?”

The captain grimaced. “I’d rather not be here when the fighting starts. This is a merchant ship, not a man-of-war. I’ll have my men row you ashore now. Then we’ll head back out of the channel.”

“Excellent,” Kumar Raza said. He turned a dismissive glare at Kanvar. “Stay here, boy. I’ll go get my things. You are too slow and useless. Stupid. Don’t know why I even bought your indenture.”

Kanvar kept his eyes down and said nothing. Kumar Raza treated him harshly, but they’d both agreed it was necessary. No one in Daro was likely to have forgotten that Kumar Raza’s crippled grandson was a Naga. Though Kanvar was supposed to be dead, he kept his face and deformities hidden by the robe and accepted Raza’s pretend contempt, hoping no one would see through the disguise.

The sailors lowered a dingy to the water beside the ship. A moment later Kumar Raza returned to the deck carrying a bundle of their things. He shoved it at Kanvar who grabbed it one handed and slid it over his back.

The sailors flung a knotted rope over the side for Kumar Raza and his servant to climb down into the dingy. Kanvar’s heart sunk. There was no way he could get down that rope while carrying their supplies on his back. Even without them he couldn’t climb down without revealing his deformities.

Kumar Raza snorted. “The boy’s too clumsy to climb down that. I’ll just tie a rope around his middle and lower him like the lump of useless cargo he is.” In a moment Raza had a rope around his middle.

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