Read Warrior for Free Online

ran to the crystal. “I don’t have a sword,” he said, smiling at the orb. “And I have two eyes. It’s just that one is embedded in the back of my head.”
    While the sphere stayed dark, Elyssa focused on Arxad. “I hope we don’t confuse your lie detector.”
    “You need not worry. It is not fragile.” Arxad glanced between Wallace and Elyssa. “Why have you approached me? Surely you know that I could kill you both with a blast of fire.”
    “I didn’t know,” Wallace said. “I have never seen a dragon before in my life.”
    Elyssa smiled at Wallace’s antics. “We have a saying in my world. ‘An enemy’s prisoner is an ally indeed.’ I assumed you would be our friend.”
    “You assume too much.” Letting out a sigh, Arxad lowered his head to the floor. “Yet, if you really consider me a friend, then have the young man plunge the sword into my belly. It would be better for all if this duplicitous dragon were to die.”
    Wallace gulped. “Uh … I really want to do that, Elyssa. I have killed dozens of dragons. It won’t be a problem to kill another.”
    “Duplicitous?” Elyssa said. “Have you betrayed someone?”
    “My own species. I have deceived my king and aided humans in their quest to escape slavery. Although I pity their bondage, if they depart before we can set up an alternative survival apparatus, then I will have contributed to the doom of my race.”
    “I see.” Elyssa glanced at the hole in the domed ceiling, a large enough gap for a dragon. “You vowed not to break your chains, but if you would help me locate the key, I could unlock them. Your vow would be intact, and we could fly away.”
    “You lack understanding. I do not wish to escape. I wish to suffer the punishment and humiliation I deserve. Not only that, I am not one to parse words in order to escape my vow. I believe in the spirit of truth, so I will not be a slave to literal renderings.”
    As the orb brightened, Elyssa shot Wallace a glare.
    “Oh, right.” Wallace raised a finger. “I understood every word Arxad said.”
    When darkness veiled Arxad again, this time the gap between them seemed denser, as if a curtain of gloom had fallen. Still, his red eyes pierced the dimness, though they pulsed more weakly.
    Elyssa rubbed her fingers together, feeling the air — saturated with melancholy and hopelessness. “Can you at least tell us where Jason went? I don’t think I can rescue the slaves alone.”
    “You
are
alone,” Wallace said. “I’m going to desert you the first chance I get.”
    Arxad offered a weak smile, revealing two sharp teeth. “I sent Jason and the Starlighter to the Northlands. They will be safe there, and they will find the dragon king of the North as well as a friend they do not expect. If the king decides to send them here to destroy every dragon in this domain, I am content. He is the Creator’s greatest prophet, so his word is both law and spirit.”
    Elyssa nodded. “Then Wallace and I should go to this Northlands place immediately.”
    “I think we should unchain Arxad,” Wallace said, “and fly with him to Trisarian.”
    “You’re right.” Elyssa extended her hand. “Give me the sword.”
    “What? You’re not going to let him go, are you?”
    “Just give it to me.” Elyssa reached and jerked the hilt from his grip.
    As the orb began to brighten, he shrugged. “Okay. You said you skip steps, but I wish I knew what you’re thinking.”
    “You’ll see. And don’t tell any more lies until I say so.” She rose to her feet and set the tip of the blade near Arxad’s eye. “You will take us to Jason, or I will gouge your eye out.”
    The sphere darkened again. Elyssa tensed her face, trying to hide a frown.
    Arxad sighed. “I understand your motivation, young lady, but it is impossible to make a false threat in the presence of the crystal. Even if you believe your own words, it is able to test your resolve, which is apparently lacking. In any case, I welcome the injury.