Dragon Fire by Pedro L. Alvarez

Author:Pedro L. Alvarez [Alvarez, Pedro L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Delcan had shoveled manure and hay for two hours when Stanlo arrived at the stables.

The events of the afternoon’s training session still ran through his mind as he drove a pitchfork deep into a pile of hay with all his weight behind it. He pulled out a large heap and threw it at the mare in the stable behind him. Drops of sweat gathered on his brow waiting to fall down the contours of his face. He groaned through clenched teeth as he worked, raging with fury.

“You know, you should learn to control that anger.”

Delcan turned to the entrance and found Stanlo with his arms crossed, shoulder leaning against the wall, watching him.

“Anger? You have seen nothing of my rage,” Delcan said, tossing the pitchfork aside—his fingers ached from holding it so tightly—and stepping toward Stanlo.

“Oh, I have seen plenty,” Stanlo said. “I have seen the way it overcomes you when you are beaten. Sir Merson overpowered you, that was clear, yet you would not accept the loss and nearly killed him for it.”

The squires stood facing each other, each with his hands at his side now.

“Merson aimed to kill me,” Delcan said.

“It was a training exercise,” Stanlo snickered. “That is all.”

“You know I speak the truth. You saw it happen; did you not? You saw me on my knees, asking for help and turned away.” Delcan tried not to raise his voice, not to let his anger boil beyond control.

“I saw you knocked down,” Stanlo said. “I saw you beaten and I saw you counter with pointless fury.” He grinned. “I saw you stand, enraged, intent on taking Sir Merson’s life if it came to it.”

Delcan clenched his hands into fists and stepped closer. “I defended myself,” he said.

“It is fortunate Sir Liebert reached you and saved Merson’s life.” Stanlo’s voice was calm; his mouth hardly moved as he spoke through his grin. “You are a menace to the rest of the squires and to the knights. And Malden agrees.”

“Malden? Why are you doing this?” Delcan raised his voice, his hands suddenly animated as he found his frustration impossible to manage. “What have you to gain?”

“Gain?” Stanlo shook his head and frowned. “I have nothing to gain. We are meant to be brothers, you and I. We are meant to carry each other. I only wish to help you see the harm you are doing to Sandrion and I by not taking hold of your mad hostility.”

“Delcan,” Aria called out as she rushed into the stables. “Delcan, I…” She stopped as she found the squires standing eye to eye. Both turned to look at her—Delcan with a look of concern and a warning in his eyes; Stanlo with a sly smile and a cheerfulness that he summoned as if igniting a spark. A sudden chill struck Delcan as Stanlo looked upon Aria. An odd sense of danger crawled through the back of his mind.

“Your Highness,” Stanlo said in a jovial voice, bowing. “It is a pleasant surprise to see you.

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