Free Dragon Bonds (Return of the Darkening Series Book 3) by Ava Richardson Page B

I was a better navigator than Syl was. I had the Dragon Affinity, after all. I could commune with dragons.
    Ah, green for more—like a dragon, Kalax thought to me with a slight mockery.
    I sent her my feelings, letting her know that what bothered me more was just how easily she could read my mind.
    What can I say, little Seb, human minds are easy for a dragon to learn. When I tried to answer back, she had put her mind on fishing in a nearby stream.
    “It was on an old scroll of Nord-Juhle, I think?” Syl said, bending down for a closer look.
    Merik’s mouth fell open. He blinked and said, “ You found mention of Nord-Juhle? That’s the oldest territory ever known. They didn’t have any written records back then. How do you know it wasn’t a fake?”
    I harbored a secret, nasty little wish that perhaps it had been a fake.
    Syl straightened and crossed his arms. “No—well, I think not. It was in a book compiled by Brother Rhymer, and that was real because it had his seal.”
    “Brother Rhymer!” Merik grinned. “That monk is as famous in archivist terms as any of the old monks of the Draconis Order.” He turned to Varla. “Rhymer apparently traveled far and wide collecting stories, tales and bits of lore from the three kingdoms. He became one of the earliest navigators, maybe even the first.”
    Beris rolled his eyes and sipped a cup of something steaming hot. Even Varla shook her head as Syl and Merik started to swap navigator stories—who was who and names of great mapmakers that left me wondering how they knew all this. But they were navigators—they were supposed to carry knowledge with them.
    Suddenly, I felt like the blacksmith’s boy again—barely able to write my name, struggling with my letters, and chosen by a red dragon for reasons known only to her.
    Maybe I’m not a real navigator? What if this Dragon Affinity has made me into something else?
    I waited for a moment, but Kalax did not rebuke that idea this time. Was she distracted—or was that the truth?
    Kalax didn’t recognize different roles. To her, humans were humans, dragons were dragons, and castles were just a cave made to use.
    She would probably tell me I’m just Seb.
    The thought was oddly comforting. Still, a little regret curled up in my chest that I couldn’t join in with Seb and Merik. I had to be honest, too—I didn’t care that Syl, who had never liked me, had won over Merik’s respect. He was supposed to be my friend.
    “Seb?” Merik asked, looking up at me from where he sat. His goggles made his dark eyes seem really big.
    I straightened. “I was just wondering whether I should go check on the dragons.”
    Merik cleared his throat and adjusted his special goggles. “Actually, Seb, you know the most about the Dragon Stones. Can you give us your advice on this? It’s a story from Brother Rhymer about something he was told. It says one of the old chieftains had a magician from the north fashion a jewel that could make him invincible. He never grew old or sick and a host of other things. Does that sound like you’re the king of all Dragon Stone to you?” He tapped the scroll.
    I felt a rush of guilty pleasure. They did need me. When I looked at Syl, he offered back a small, nervous smile. I glanced at Beris. He stared back—he wasn’t being friendly, but he wasn’t being an ass either. He waved at the ground as if giving Syl permission to sit down. Syl did. And I did the same.
    We were all Dragon Riders—and we had the king of Dragon Stones to find.

5
    Dissent in the Ranks
    M ordecai was in the right to argue caution. But that wasn’t something King Justin wanted to hear.
    I knew that Seb had little faith in King Justin. To Seb, the king had not proven himself a good or wise leader. I guess I had more trust because I had grown up with Justin. I didn’t know him as well as Ryan did, but I expected my brother would be blind to the king’s faults—Ryan always wanted to see the best in everyone. So I was the only