Requiem for Dragons by Daniel Arenson

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

CADE

When the sisters returned into the Old Wheel tavern, they all sat together at the back table, cloaked and shadowed.

"We burn them." Cade pounded the tabletop. "We sneak into the city again. We rise at night." He rose to his feet as if to demonstrate. "We burn down the whole damn Temple!"

"Hush!" Fidelity glanced around the common room, then glared at Cade. "Keep your voice low and don't pound the table."

Cade glanced around him too. Candles burned atop the wagon wheel chandelier, casting flickering light across the common room. Casks of ale rose along one wall, and before them stood the old innkeeper, polishing the bar. Several round tables stood scattered across the scarred oak floor. A fire crackled at the hearth. A collection of fisherman and tradesmen raised their eyes to stare at Cade, then shook their heads or grunted and returned to their drinks.

Cade sat down. "I'll be quiet now. But when we burn the Temple, I'll be roaring."

He looked at his companions one by one. Fidelity sat beside him, wrapped in a burlap cloak. Her spectacles were still smashed, and her golden braid was cut to half its previous length; the bottom half had burned in the battle. Across from Cade sat two other hooded figures. Roen hunched over, elbows on the table, looking as uncomfortable as a bear trapped in a barn. Cade saw little more than the woodsman's beard and darting eyes. Beside him sat Domi, barely half Roen's size, her cloak wrapped around her. She was busy sipping from her ale and watching everyone, silent, her face blank.

"The wisest course of action," said Fidelity, "is to continue our work. To keep printing our books. To—"

"Fidelity!" Cade rolled his eyes. "They burned down the whole damn forest. That includes our printing press. They were waiting for us at the paper mill, and you better believe they've got more men in every paper mill in the Commonwealth. By now they've probably seized every book we've printed and burned it." As she glared at him, Cade forced himself to lower his voice. "Books won't be enough anymore. We need to attack."

Fidelity tugged at her braid so mightily Cade thought she might rip off what remained of it. "Attack? You saw what happened last time we attacked." She lowered her eyes.

Cade glanced at Roen, then at his drink. "I know." His voice was soft, barely a whisper. "I didn't know Julian well, but he was kind to me. I can't imagine the pain his loss brings to those who loved him." He looked up and gazed at the three others. "We must continue the fight. We can't let Julian's death be in vain. We have to stop this cursed Temple, and we have to save my sister." His eyes stung. "Eliana is still there in the Temple, just a baby. We have to save her."

For the first time since they'd entered the tavern, Domi spoke, her voice soft. "Eliana is safe. I saw her in the Temple, Cade. I know you want to save her, and I promise you: I will do what I can to help.

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