Free Whill of Agora Trilogy: Book 01 - Whill of Agora by Michael Ploof Page A

spent these long years teaching you in order to prepare you for a life of normality or peace. You could be a Knight of Eldalon, or of any kingdom for that matter, with your knowledge and skill. But that is not your path. Your destiny lies elsewhere.”
    Whill felt terrible for what he had said. Abram had saved his life countless times. He had dedicated nineteen years to Whill’s well-being and had treated him as a son. Whill began to apologize but could not find his voice. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked away, ashamed.
    “I know, Whill. I’m sorry also for having to put you through this. But soon we will sail, and soon you will know.”
    Brillia returned with the steaming food. It smelled delicious, but Whill had lost his appetite. He ate little of the stew or bread and left the table saying that he was tired from the day’s work. As he lay on his soft bed and watched the moon flirt with the passing clouds, he realized that he indeed was very tired. Sleep soon found him, as did dreams of his long-dead parents. They stood upon a tall hill, waving happily. But he could not reach them; no matter how he tried, he could not find the top of the hill. The faster he climbed, the taller it got, until a mountain stood before him.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Farewell to the City of Light
    T he sun shone in upon Whill’s face. The sky was clear blue and the morning air sweet. A small bird sat at the windowsill peering curiously at Whill, quickly jerking its head to get different angles of him. He sat up as the bird flew away and noticed Abram sitting at the small table looking at what appeared to be a map.
    “Good morning,” he said as Whill got up and hurriedly got dressed.
    “Damn! I’m supposed to meet the brothers at first light at the docks.”
    “Relax, I sent word with that boy Tarren that you would be late. I want to show you something.” He gestured to the opposite seat and rotated the map for Whill to see.
    “I told you I had small business yesterday. Well, I met with King Mathus and Lord Rogus. The king is very eager to meet with us when we are finished in the mountains.”
    “Why?”
    Abram took a deep breath as if troubled. “It seems that King Addakon of Uthen-Arden has declared war against Isladon. As we speak, war wages upon its borders. No word has come from King Fenious of Isladon. The Arden navy has blocked off the entire coast of Isladon, and Mathus fears that Drindale will soon fall.”
    Whill sat back in his chair in disbelief. “So Mathus wants to know if we intend to fight?”
    “That he does.”
    “And you told him yes, I assume.”
    “No, I told him our answer will come after we visit Dy’Kore.”
    Whill thought for a moment about the severity of a war within Agora. There had not been strife among the kingdoms for more than five hundred years.
    “What of the Draggard within the Ebony Mountains?” Whill asked.
    “It is as I have warned the kings for years: King Addakon has made them his allies. It was obvious when Addakon did nothing to help Isladon in vanquishing that retched scourge from the mountains. But the kings would not listen. They did not want to believe the ugly truth. Now it is apparent.”
    Whill was stupefied. “But how can Addakon persuade his soldiers to fight their own kind within Isladon alongside those demonic beasts?”
    “Addakon is of strong mind and he can make his will that of others. His army is nothing but a group of mindless pawns.”
    “And what of the people of Uthen-Arden? They must object to this outrage.”
    “The people know not of his alliance with the Draggard. He has told them that Fenious is the one who has befriended the fell beasts, and he has turned them against the elves as well. He tells his people that the elves are indeed the masters of the Draggard, and that they are plotting to take all of Agora for their own. I fear that Elladrindellia will be Addakon’s next target.”
    Whill sat shocked. “This is ridiculous! King Addakon has treated his people