Dragonhammer: Volume I Read Free Page A

my father married her.  It’s in her eyes that I can see her age, but it’s in a nonphysical way.  In her eyes I can see her years of accumulated wisdom.
    They’re talking right now and seem barely to have noticed that I’ve come in.  All three of my younger brothers are in a human knot on the floor, knocking each other about and yelling.  Mother smiles at me and motions for me to take a bowl, and I do so without hesitation, sitting on her right.
    “We started without you, Kadmus,” smiles my mother.  “Sorry.  I would have waited, but…”  She gestures to the pile on the floor.
    I take the ladle and pour myself a generous amount.  I notice that Mother has gotten hold of some green pepper; she probably traded some of the carrots from our family garden.
    My mouth is full of potatoes and lamb before I make myself chew.  An odd texture makes me wonder for a moment, but then I realize that Mother has also added the delicacy of mushrooms to the stew.
    It’s not until then that I realize that the stew’s still steaming.  I wash my burning tongue by drinking some fresh milk, milked this morning from our own cow, and then reach for a slice of bread before my brothers can eat it all.
    It’s still warm.
    “What took you?” asks my father.  “You’ve been gone longer than I expected.”
    “I went to say hello to Frederick.”
    Father chuckles.  “What did he have to say?”
    “He punched me and told me to give it to Gunther.”
    “What for?”  He’s still got an amused grin on his face.
    “Well, uh… for not bringing you grandchildren.”
    Father laughs loudly, but Mother turns slightly pink.  “Give him another one from me, won’t you?” he says.
    “Kadmus…” Mother says sternly.  She’s not talking to me; she’s talking to my father, my namesake.
    “Alright,” he says.  Then he takes another bite of his stew.  He gives me a look that says, “I was serious about that.”
    I nod and eat.
    “When are you planning on leaving tomorrow?” asks Mother.
    “Early.”
    She rolls her eyes at me, but only says, “Just get me up so I can see you off.”
    I nod.  “Of course.”
    After I finish, Nicholas and Ethan finally notice where I’m sitting and manage to get me off my chair and onto the floor.  Mother saves both from a headlock by saying simply, “Time for bed.”
    Everyone obeys.  “Kadmus, stay,” she commands.  I stay.
    “You’re going to Terrace tomorrow with Ethan?”
    I nod.
    “Okay.  I’ll give you a little something tomorrow morning.”  I give her a questioning look but understand almost immediately afterwards.  “Who else is going with you?”
    “Percival and James.”
    She smiles.  “That’ll be fun.  I’ll be sure to get some food ready for you to take.  Now go get some sleep.  You’ll need to be well rested for the road.”

 
     
     
     
     
    Terrace
     
     
    T he following morning, I and Ethan wake Mother, who gives us each a pack of food to ration for the trip and hugs us each multiple times.  Finally she lets us out the door and Ethan and I start our journey.
    We follow the dirt path to town, where we meet Percival and James at the stone bridge and tower.
    “Ready?” says Percival with a small smile.  He’s tall and skinny, though muscular, with a careful nature that makes him indecisive and a little stubborn, but also makes him reasonable and sensible.  His bright blue eyes shine with intelligence and wisdom; he’s very down-to-earth and presents a deep understanding of life on a plane almost none else can reach.  He wears a humble brown tunic that slightly hugs his form.  He’s my age and a baker, and a good one at that.
    “Took you long enough,” says James with a hint of sarcasm.  His blonde hair sticks up like the statue of Khaoth, but despite all the years I’ve known him I still have not figured out how he does it.  He’s not very tall:  a few inches less than six feet.  He’s got a medium build and is slightly