Sword Bearer (Return of the Dragons 1)

I shuddered. “I always knew there was something strange about him, ever since I was a little boy.”

Kara put her hand up to my face and ran a finger along my cheek. “You are a little boy no longer, Anders Tomason.”

I felt a familiar warmth in the face. It was embarrassing how just a small gesture from Kara made me completely lose control of my emotions.

Woltan frowned, and changed the subject. “I would like to know more about this book of Id. We have heard the title, but its contents are a mystery to us.”

Suddenly, Kara’s face changed. “I am sworn by my people never to let the book leave my hands.”

“Surely your people would understand that we all face a common enemy,” said Woltan, his face taut.

Kara shook her head. “That’s not for me to decide. I have to speak to the elders of my people, and most of all, to my uncle.”

“Your uncle?”

“Karl Gunnarson, king of my people.”

“Please, speak to him, and explain that the book of Id could benefit both Anders Tomason and the fate of all three peoples. It contents should not remain a mystery. In these dangerous times, we need all the help we can get.”

“I’ll show it to you as soon as I have permission. The book has been in the Kriek’s keeping for generations, but maybe it’s time for it to be revealed to those who help us in our struggle.”

“And you say this wizard, as well as the dark lord, are hunting for this book, as we speak?” Woltan asked.

Kara bit her lip. “I’m afraid so. They inhabit my dreams; I feel them pushing at me the moment I close my eyes. The book feels warm with their dark magic. I’m afraid they have put some kind of spell on it.”

“No one could have put a deep and penetrating spell on such a great book as the one you guard. And yet, I fear they may have done some lesser magic to it, which will help lead them to you.”

Kara looked stricken. “And to you as well. Oh, Woltan, I’m so sorry.”

Woltan nodded. “I think it’s no accident that those keiler discovered you so easily. We must examine the book.”

Kara shook her head again.

“Not without the approval of my people.”

Woltan’s face turned red. They seemed to have reached an impasse. For all his amazing calm, Woltan must be under a great deal of strain, in charge of protecting his hidden city from invaders. Invaders that we had brought with us.

Kara broke the silence. “We’ll contact them today. We need to get in touch, in any case. My father will be so excited to make contact with your people, Woltan. He sent Kalle here to try to find you.”

Kalle nodded. “I had been searching for two weeks without finding so much as a trace.”

Woltan turned back, a thin smile now on his still red face. “How did you find us, anyhow?”

Kalle shrugged. “We were fleeing the keiler that we knew were gathering. We came to a clearing and there was the gate.”

Woltan shook his head. “It all seems too easy, somehow.”

I was afraid I knew what Woltan was implying. I hoped I’d misunderstood, or he was just plain wrong.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Kara stealing the book,” Woltan said. “Her escaping to you. You escaping to us, and leading the keiler to us. And now the Dark Lord knows the location of the book, and of our city. I wonder if this is all in his plans.”

Kara frowned. “This is the prophecy, too, remember, Woltan. The prophecy is greater than the Dark Lord.”

Woltan shook his head. “Perhaps he shapes the way the prophecy will unfold, and we unwillingly, unwittingly aid him.”

“I thought no one could change the prophecy.”