Free The Dragon Ring (Book 1) by C. Craig Coleman Page B

condition?” Bodrin asked.
    Saxthor glanced at him. “No money.”
    “When the troops’ disdain for Minnabec’s weakness and lack of vision led to their refusal to obey him, your uncle returned to Konnotan in despair. Meanwhile, Irkin, by then referred to as Witch Earwig, had totally alienated the court and everyday people of the kingdom. The nobles forced your uncle to abdicate in favor of his sister and co-ruler, your mother.”
    “Aunt Irkin imagines Mother stole the throne from them?” Saxthor asked. “She can’t believe they did this to themselves?”
    “No, she’s incapable of facing her own flaws. Far from the court’s vitality, Earwig turned to conjuring dark beings. She’s studied her spells of ancient evil to draw strength from malignant sites hidden in the earth’s bowels. Evil commands the witch. She doesn’t realize her situation yet, or doesn’t care. Earwig hates your mother’s ancient nobility. She cannot understand it. The discovery of your power and resulting potential threat it creates has magnified and focused her need for revenge. ”
    Saxthor sat back in silence pondering what Tournak said. They sailed on through the swamp all afternoon. All kept vigil on the water and listened for the figurehead’s hiss.
    Bodrin broke the tense silence towards sunset. “I’m getting hungry.”
    “Me too,” Saxthor said when he noted Bodrin was fidgeting.
    Bodrin’s starving, Saxthor thought. Wild bears couldn’t unnerve Bodrin’s calm nature, but we’d better get something to eat soon, or he’ll be cranky.
    “Tournak, do we have any food in the boat? We had some lunch in our other pack from the hike this morning, but we dropped the pack when the water moccasins came at us.” 
    “Water moccasins attacked you this morning? Memlatec said Fedra stopped a vulture from attacking you. He didn’t mention snakes.”
    “Yeah, three came at us. I cut off the first one’s head,” Saxthor said. “The other two swam off. Thought we just surprised them, but I guess they were another gift from Aunt Irkin.”
    Tournak slid the chest out from beneath his seat and pushed it toward the boys without comment. When Tournak nodded, Bodrin opened the trunk.
    Bodrin rummaged through the container. “Hey, a jug of cool milk, a loaf of bread so fresh the smell makes my mouth water, and a cheese wrapped in damp cloth.”
    “Whip out your hunting knife and cut us some bread and cheese,” Saxthor said. “Is it all right, Tournak?”
    “Don’t wait on me.” Tournak accepted some food last and the feast began. Revitalized, the trio settled back as Twit cleaned up the crumbs. Before dusk, the boat turned to the land and slid onto the bank where they stopped for the night.
    “The river’s beyond that point, boys,” Tournak said. “We’ll set up camp high on the bluff so rising water won’t surprise us in the dark.”
    “We’re experienced campers ourselves,” Bodrin said. “We’ll make the camp, raise the tent, and set a circle of rocks for a fire.”
    Tournak said nothing, but kept a watchful eye on the swamp.
    *
    The next morning Tournak rekindled the flame and wondered what other challenges lay ahead when Saxthor sat up.
    “Hope you slept well.”
    Saxthor yawned, stretched and rubbed his eyes. “Yes thank you. I love the way the sun shines through the mist rising from the river on chilly mornings,” After a second, he observed Bodrin still sound asleep.
    “How’s your foot, Saxthor?” Tournak asked.
    Saxthor tapped his scratches. “I’m okay. You don’t think the thing will come for me again, do you?”
    “Not that one, but somehow the witch knows where we are.”
    Saxthor stared at the wizard.
    “Better eat and get going,” Tournak noted Bodrin awakened at the mention of food.
    After breakfast, they repacked the boat and the elfin craft slid from the bank. She turned and moved along the shore to where the swamp merged into the river. They passed into the mist on the Southern Nhy and