Dragons Reborn by Daniel Arenson

Author:Daniel Arenson [Arenson, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: NLA Digital LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CADE

He stood on the hill, the wind whipping his burlap tunic, and lowered his head. His fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes stung.

They're dead. So many dead. Because of me.

The village nestled in the valley miles away, its lanterns glowing in the sunset. Even from this distance, Cade heard the mournful wails. All across the Commonwealth they cried out in agony. Angels of death had flown across the realm, and now parents—grieving, crying out—buried the innocents, buried the slain, buried a generation.

"We wanted you to grow into Vir Requis," Cade whispered, staring at the land. "We wanted you to grow with your magic, to become dragons of Requiem." He closed his eyes. "Now your light will never shine."

The wind gusted, and Cade did not hear anyone approach, but he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Domi standing on the hill, her hair billowing in the wind like a torch's flame. The setting sun reflected in her eyes.

"It's our fault," Cade whispered to her. "All those dead babes . . . if the Temple still had tillvine, they'd purify them. They would lose their magic, but they'd live." His fists shook. "Now they're dead, all of them, and still dying every day, every moment. Because of us." His throat tightened, squeezing his voice into a hoarse whisper. "Because of us."

Domi pried open his fingers and held his hands. She stood staring into his eyes. "We could not have known. We did what we thought was right."

Cade laughed mirthlessly. "Those who meant well have kindled some of history's greatest wildfires. Good intentions have spilled as much blood as devious plans." Tears burned in his eyes. "Oh, Domi . . . what have we done?"

He expected her to embrace him, to stroke his hair, to whisper into his ear. But instead Domi snarled and her eyes flashed.

"We did nothing!" She pulled her hands back and glared at him. "Do not place this blame on me, on yourself, on any of us. We did not sink our knives into the hearts of babes. Mercy did that. Mercy and her fellow paladins. The only blame is on them, and I will not allow you, Cade, to feel guilt, and I will not allow you to spread your guilt among us. Blame the Cured Temple. Fight the Cured Temple. Keep fighting. I will."

"Fighting for Requiem," Cade said, and the words tasted bitter in his mouth. "Domi, I never wanted this fight. I just . . . I just wanted to be a baker. I never wanted any of this." He held his head. "Not to lose Derin and Tisha and my sister. Not to run, hide, get captured, learn that Beatrix is my mother. Fight for Requiem? I never knew what Requiem was until a few months ago."

Domi dug her fingernails into his hands. "Well, you know what Requiem is now. And you can't go back to being a baker. So you have a choice now, Cade. You can either let guilt, grief, and regret overpower you, or you can keep fighting.

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