Dragonvein Book Four Read Free Page A

need? Who is we?  Tell me. Who exactly am I really talking to?”
    Martok managed to keep his composure. “Who do you think?”
    There was a long pause. “I’m not sure,” she muttered darkly. “I’m just not sure.”

Chapter Two
     
    King Halvar stood beside Keira atop a low ridge overlooking the vast open field of tall grass. It was a good place to fight. The speed and maneuverability of the elves would be of tremendous advantage here. Not that they needed such an edge. Martok’s plan was about to unfold.
    “Are you sure they can be trusted?” Keira asked.
    Halvar shrugged. “Who knows? No sense in worrying about it now.”
    “I would feel better if the message had been delivered by King Yularian himself.”
    Halvar nodded. He too had hoped Kat’s father would have been able to join them. But instead the message had come from a young human girl and her even younger brother. They'd informed Halvar that King Yularian would try to be there before the battle began, but he was unsure if that would be possible.
    “I trust Kat,” Halvar said. “So I am forced to extend that trust to the human king.”
    The mention of Kat drew a tiny smile from Keira. “I saw the look in her father’s eyes. He at least can be trusted.”
    “Yes. But what of the rest? They have lived under the yoke of Shinzan for so long, I wonder if they can ever fully overcome their fear.”
    Keira cocked her head. “ Our two peoples did. Why should they be any different?”
    “Human fear drives them to unpredictability.”
    “It also drives them to courage,” Keira retorted. “We must stop looking upon humans as being somehow lesser than ourselves. If we do not, then even after Shinzan is vanquished, Lumnia will be no better off.”
    Halvar forced a smile. “You are right, of course. I’m afraid I lack the ability to accept change in quite the same way that King Ganix does. I often think that now his people live among mine, I should step aside and allow his wisdom to rule everyone.”
    Keira placed a hand on his shoulder. “I think that would be a mistake. You have many qualities that King Ganix lacks.”
    Halvar chuckled. “Is that so?”
    “Indeed. King Ganix is wise. There is no doubt about that. But you have a quality which galvanizes all those who look up to you. You give them the heart to face what would shatter the will of most people. More than that, you understand what must be sacrificed in order for this campaign to succeed.”
    “And what is that exactly?”
    Keira lowered her eyes. “If necessary, everything.”
    Halvar nodded. “Yes. You are absolutely right. I'm glad we agree on that.”
    A young elf boy raced up behind them. He stopped and bowed, then held out a folded parchment.
    After reading the message, Keira drew a deep breath. “The mayor wishes to speak with us.”
    Halvar groaned. “Not again! How many more meetings must we endure with that man?”
    “You were the one who offered to speak with him whenever he needed,” Keira pointed out, smirking.
    “True. But at the time I wasn’t fully aware of what an irritant he can be.” Halvar blew an exasperated breath. “But if it keeps things from turning violent, I suppose it’s a small price to pay.”
    “I don’t think we need to worry about that,” Keira assured him. “The people here are simple and of a kind disposition.”
    “You say that now. But I wonder how kind they would be if there was not an army camped just outside their door.”
    Together they started back to where the army was gathered less than a mile away. Upon reaching the first line of tents, Halvar immediately noticed several unfamiliar wagons parked in an untidy row, each one bearing all manner of supplies. He quietly hoped that this was what the mayor wanted to discuss. Haggling over prices would certainly be preferable to the asinine problems Mayor Yelin usually plagued him with.
    As he entered the heart of the camp, he took note of several humans scattered about. This in itself