Dragonvein by Brian D. Anderson

Author:Brian D. Anderson [Anderson, Brian D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Children's Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic, Fantasy, Epic, Sword & Sorcery, Children's eBooks, Science Fiction; Fantasy & Scary Stories
Amazon: B00WKT2VRY
Publisher: Longfire Press
Published: 2015-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

A sharp pain in Ethan’s ribcage shocked him awake. The clatter of steel and the sound of gruff voices surrounded him even before his eyes were fully open.

He tried to stand, but the blunt toe of a boot thudded into his stomach, forcing the breath from his lungs. Gasping for air, he sank back down.

His sword was missing from its place beside his blanket, but the dagger was still in his belt. Apart from the soldier standing over him, he could see three others in the background. Two of them were holding Markus, and the other was pressing his heel down hard on Jonas’ chest. There was no sign of Kat anywhere.

“Don’t move, boy,” he was told. This order was punctuated with another swift kick.

He looked at Markus, but his friend’s eyes were wide and fixed on something else. Risking another blow, Ethan shifted his head to see what could be affecting him so. A few yards away stood a cloaked figure with its hood pulled down low. Although it was impossible to distinguish its face, the ghostly pale hand gripping a long curved blade was all too visible.

Rakasa, he thought.

The thing move forward with unnaturally even strides and stood beside Jonas.

“It’s been a long time…Jonas,” it said.

As Kat had described, its voice was hollow, yet bore an unnatural resonance that sent waves of fear into Ethan’s heart.

Jonas looked up. “Who are you?”

The Rakasa bent down and grasped his left ankle, raising the pant leg sufficiently to expose a ring of pink scar tissue – the mark of a whip. “It really has only been a few weeks for you, hasn’t it?” the hollow voice uttered.

Jonas’ eyes shot wide as realization dawned. “General Hronso,” he gasped.

Hronso hissed a sinister laugh. “Yes. And I see you have brought the young Dragonvein with you.” Releasing Jonas’ leg, he looked across at Ethan. “I must admit, he’s not what I expected.”

“How can you be here?” Jonas demanded, his voice a mixture of terror and confusion.

“You were always clever,” Hronso replied. “Too clever for your own good, as I recall. Clever enough to elude me. And clever enough to escape with the Emperor’s prize. Surely you can figure it out.”

He paused, but Jonas said nothing. “No? Well, I’m sure the Emperor will be more than happy to explain it to you. Though I must admit, I think he should just let me kill the lot of you right now. But he’s always been a bit sentimental. Why he wants to see you again, I just don’t know.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Jonas. “I’ve never met Shinzan.”

Hronso’s laugh this time sounded more natural…almost human. “Is that right? He seems to think you have. And I do not question my master’s word.” He cast his gaze upon Markus. “However, he made no mention of this one. So at least we will have some sport today.”

Markus glared defiantly. “I’m not afraid of you.”

With inhuman speed, Hronso spanned the distance between them. Ethan saw his friend’s hands ball up into tight fists, suppressing his fear.

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