บททั้งหมดของ The Book of Mara: บทที่ 61 - บทที่ 70

"One such time was after a rather large skirmish between us and the Sororian Draygons. Tohr had gone with us and ended up severely injured while trying to save one of the smaller dragons from this particularly ruthless Draygon.""Why did Tohr go with you?" I asked curiously. "I can't imagine the King joining in on any battle.""Tohr's father once told him: 'Never send your subjects into a battle you are not willing to fight alongside them. It was his way of saying, don't sacrifice your men needlessly or die with them," Erik explained.It was exceptionally good advice, I agreed. Morbid, but good advice."Anyway, Tohr took a claw to his stomach. That's one of the softest parts of a Draygon, and it injured him severely. He was in a massive amount of pain and losing blood quickly."My whole body tightened in anxiety, and I felt sick to my stomach. Erik reached across the table and touched my forearm, trying to comfort me when he noticed how pale I had turned. I so desperately wished that T

"You are nothing, but a weak pile of flesh compared to the Draygonians. You are unworthy of the throne, and you do not belong here. I will not abide by your rulings no matter what, and I certainly will not be forced to accept the guards' sluts in my kitchen cooking my King's food."Synne gasped in shock. I looked over at her to see the shame in her face, and the indignant anger I felt for myself paled in comparison to my fury on hers and the other women's behalf. Without thought, my hand raised and came down across Alodia's face, the slap ringing through the silent room.I couldn't tell who in the room was more startled by what I had done. Me or anyone of the others. Alodia's golden-green complexion flamed pinkish until my handprint was melted into the fury of her scales."You… bitch!" Alodia screamed.She didn't actually say bitch. The word she used basically translated into "dirty, stupid, ugly, useless daughter of a pig-like creature". So, bitch was close enough of a translation in

Synne said nothing and looked away as if she, herself, was guilty. Putting my hand on her arm, I tried to comfort her hoping that she would open up to me."I am not accusing you, sweetie," I said softly. "I honestly want to help.""We are charged with the wellbeing of the warriors. We cook and clean and at times warm their beds," she insisted defensively."Why are they unable to care for such things themselves?" I asked Erik in English."This is a hard gender divide. I have a feeling it is passed down through the family lines. Mothers teach their daughters to cook and care for the family. Fathers teach their boys to fight and…" his voice trailed off as he looked at Synne, leaving no doubt his unspoken words."So basically, to change this, I'll have to fight generations of tradition," I stated in frustration.Erik nodded gravely as I growled under my breath."Did I say something wrong?" Synne asked anxiously."No!" I immediately denied it. "I'm just upset that this has come about. I can

I cleared my throat slightly, trying not to seem as awkward as I felt. I kept my eyes firmly on the window that allowed the orangish light in from the sun and pretended to study the rings and the planet that created a ghostly outline in the sky.Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the group break apart and Ethallia's cheeks still held the blush. I couldn't tell if she was still feeling embarrassed, but she seemed all too content with being kept tightly between her two men.Seeing the way that they looked at their woman caused the sad, lonely feeling to hit me once more. God, I missed Tohr, my pathetic mind whined. Feeling a bit annoyed with myself, I cursed silently and forcefully shoved those useless feelings deep inside me until I could breathe again.Voices could be heard coming from outside the door. At the first sound, everyone jumped and hurried to take their places. They all stood beside me, presenting the four of us as a united front.My heart jumped into my throat as the do

They looked at each other than to Treddian as if to see if such a thing was permissible. Treddian nodded. "Do as your lady requests." Erik stood and helped them all move the table. Happily, I sat back down on the throne and waved to the people around the room. "Please, sit with me," I asked them. No one moved. I looked to Erik and Ethallia, pleading with them for their help. They quickly and eagerly moved around the table and sat in front of Treddian and I. To my joy, that broke the ice enough that several others sat next to them, and quickly my table was full as well. I smiled my triumph at Erik and began speaking to the people around me. Ethallia, the sweetheart that she was, introduced the newcomers. I listened carefully and tried hard to remember their names as well as their occupation. When she got to the carpenter, I leaned forward in excitement. "Are you the one who made the furniture in the castle?" I questioned. The Draygon nodded. "My ancestors and I. We originally cam