Dragonvein Book Four by Brian D. Anderson

Author:Brian D. Anderson [Anderson, Brian D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction
Amazon: B01GAL2NCA
Publisher: Longfire Press
Published: 2016-05-26T23:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

Though Martok was loathe to admit it, Gracio's warning had struck deep. His friend was most likely right; Miriam was unlikely to agree to her mother's death, no matter what foul crime the woman had committed against her.

Once left alone, he wandered the halls of Dragonvein Manor for several hours, his mind desperately searching for a course other than the one he knew he must inevitably take. Lady Goldsong, along with all those who had conspired against him, had to die. But this would destroy any chance he had of a life with Miriam. In all the time he'd spent trying to find a suitable wife and partner, none had come even close to making him feel as she did.

Most of the mage women he had known were avid social climbers interested only in status and power. Their hearts changed direction as easily as the wind. And though it truly revolted him that Miriam had chosen a man with no magical talent whatsoever, even that served to exemplify her strength of character and will.

Gracio had often told him that he wanted her simply because she was unattainable. He did not believe this. Not entirely, at any rate. He prized strength and loyalty above all else and had always sought to surrounded himself with people blessed with these qualities. This was why he had so much admiration for the elves. It was also why he was still alone.

To the world at large he was brash, arrogant, and ruthless. But those who knew him best understood it was his contempt for weakness that made him behave this way. The great mage houses had deteriorated, with only a handful ever earning his respect. The House Goldsong had been one of these…until now.

This was not the first time a mage family had sought to lay him low. Since the fall of House Bronstar he'd been forced to kill those who'd attempted to do him harm on three more occasions. So great had been his rage on the final time, for a while he felt sure that no one would ever dare to try again. But bigotry and ignorance always seemed to overcome their fear eventually. It was frustrating to the extreme. Could they not see the benefit of ending a conflict that had spanned more ages than could easily be counted?

As for the dwarves, he could almost understand their motives. They lived virtually isolated lives, and any kind of change, however small, came slowly to their closed minds. Even so, their involvement in this latest atrocity could not be ignored.

He passed by Miriam’s room and stood outside the door for a short time. He was tempted to see that she was resting, but finally thought better of it. Soon his name would be a curse on her lips. Because of his actions, he would become someone she could never forgive.

In that very moment, Martok realized that his choice had been irrevocably made. He would unify the world. Only he possessed the power and the wisdom to do so.

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