The Trahiad Page 15

  But then he noticed the sincere look in Morgar’s eyes. Morgar isn’t challenging me; he’s trying to help me.

  “Very well, Morgar. I will read the riddle,” he said, feeling the rage leave and his senses normalize.

  Morgar used his wings to push himself back to his feet, his hands clapping in excitement. “Thank you, Dark Lord. Morgar will not disappoint. I promise!”

  The Dark Lord ignored the dragonling’s promise as he sat back down and placed the tome in front of him. He enjoyed the feel of power as he touched its cover. He glanced at the riddle and then recited it out loud.

  “A cup of blood, the red knight adorn, the key to both, the white dragon reborn. The red knight lives, the red knight dies, but the return of the red, herein the blood lies.”

  He studied Morgar as the dragonling contemplated the riddle. “A cup of blood, that is tasty to Morgar,” he said. “But not a real cup of blood, no. The red knight is the Dark Lord’s master, the Bloodheim,” he continued to reason.

  The Dark Lord nodded his approval as he watched the dragonling decipher the riddle. Yes, Morgar, the Red Knight is the Bloodheim.

  “This is a prophecy of the Bloodheim’s return, yes Morgar, you are right,” the dragonling continued. “The key to the return is the White Dragon. White Dragon I have seen before, yes very powerful, very key.”

  “None of which I haven’t already solved, Morgar,” the Dark Lord said, growing slightly impatient. The dragonling was only solving the obvious parts to the riddle. His impatience grew.

  “Now its time to leave, Morgar, you haven’t helped me at all.”

  Morgar spun around, his teeth bared and ears flat. For a moment the Dark Lord sat further into his chair, his free hand moving from the book to his draestl dagger. Is the dragonling going to attack me?

  “Morgar not finished, Morgar will solve riddle!” and then the dragonling turned back around, muttering under his breath.

  The Dark Lord looked at his dragonling, thinking for a moment to force the creature out of his presence, but again saw the devotion in the dragonling’s behavior as it searched for an answer to the riddle. He couldn’t punish Morgar for his diligent obedience, his unquestioned loyalty, and his overwhelming desire to serve. I will tolerate this for a moment longer.

  Morgar continued to mumble under his breath as he began to pace back and forth. Occasionally he lifted his head with excitement, only to lower it in frustration a moment later.

  The pacing continued until the candle began to flicker as the wick reached its end. With a sigh the Dark Lord stood up. He felt sincere disappointment as he realized that he had been hoping Morgar would solve the riddle. This riddle will never be solved.

  “Come Morgar, we’ll revisit this riddle another night,” he said as he picked up the candle and turned to leave.

  “A cup of blood is the Chalice of Fire, Dark Lord. Yes, Morgar is correct.”

  The Dark Lord heard a gasp and then a loud clang as the candle he was holding suddenly hit the ground. The library flooded into darkness and he felt his heart beat rise, his senses kicking in immediately.

  “Yes, Morgar, that makes perfect sense. You are correct,” the Dark Lord said in astonishment. Together they had solved the riddle. He knew what that meant. The Bloodheim will return.

  Also by Randall Seeley

  The Drahiad Chronicles Prologues

  Dragonlyst

  Alderidon Wolves

  Order of the Dragon

  Siege of Draestl

  The Trahiad

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  About the Author

  Randall Seeley has loved fantasy since he was a little kid. He got hooked with Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain and he’s been reading fantasy ever since. His passion is writing. So thank you for purchasing this book! Every book purchase is one step closer to fulfilling his dream!

  He’s currently writing two parts of the Drahiad Chronicles. The Prologues are set just before the main books where you'll be introduced to the main characters. The Main Books are where these characters come together and learn they need to work together to save Ardonor.

  He’s also dabbling with an epic fantasy series, and more recently a superhero series.

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