Read Cloak & Dagger: Book II of The Dragon Mage Trilogy for Free Online Page B

passageway, his body throwing off heat, and more important, light to guide his way.
    * * * * *
    A few days later, while Kazin was just beginning to relax at home, a knock sounded at the door. The mage answered it and received a scroll from a messenger. He thanked the messenger, went over to the fireplace, and sat down. He opened the letter and began to read. His expression became more serious as he read.
    “What is it?” asked Della, who sat across from him watching his expression change. “Who is it from?”
    Kazin spoke without looking up. “It’s from the tower. Apparently something has gone wrong at the tower but they don’t specify what it is. It happened during the latest gathering of master and arch mages. They want me to go to the nearest tower and contact them at once.”
    Della groaned. “Can’t they let you have some time off? They’re working you to death!”
    “I know,” said Kazin dejectedly. “But this time it must be something serious. The letter is signed by Arch Mage Fildamir.”
    “Why didn’t Arch Mage Krendal sign the letter?” asked Della. “He’s usually the one who contacts you for your assignments.”
    “That’s what has me worried,” said Kazin. “If something happens to Krendal, Fildamir is the next in line to take charge. He’s older than any of the other arch mages, and next to Krendal, he’s been an arch mage the longest.”
    “So you think the letter is about Krendal?” asked Della.
    “Perhaps,” said Kazin. “I’ll have to go to the Tower of the Stars to find out.”
    “I’m coming with you,” said Della firmly.
    Kazin looked up at his wife sharply. “What for?”
    “I’m tired of moping around at home alone for weeks on end,” said Della. “I’d rather be gone with you. Besides, Krendal might seem like a sinister, bad-tempered old man to most people, but I like him. I’m coming and that’s final.” The elf looked directly into Kazin’s eyes and defied him to argue.
    Kazin grinned in spite of himself. “Well, O.K.,” he conceded. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if you came along this time.”
    Della nodded satisfactorily. Her expression was serious. “Fine. I’ll start packing.”
    The next morning, Kazin cast an enchantment on their house to prevent any intruders from entering. Della informed the elven patrols to keep an eye on their house as an additional precaution. Then the dragon and his elven passenger sped across the Bay of Barlin. They arrived just east of Star City in the evening of the same day and landed in the courtyard of the Tower of the Stars.
    The tower was high up on the mountainside overlooking the city to the west and the Bay of Barlin to the south. From here, one could view the islands far out on the horizon. These were the islands of Ten Star Reef, a dangerous place for most ships to navigate around.
    As for the city, it was a large, bustling port, with buildings and warehouses lining the shore. Just behind them were row upon row of shops of all kinds. Residential buildings extended beyond these to give way to the fields of farmers. These tracts of land were neatly arranged and looked like giant green squares in a checker board design. Just below the tower were the houses of wealthier merchants who preferred to live above the city and away from the working class. Long gravel roads wound down the mountainside connecting the tower to the city. The setting sun bathed the city in a pleasant red hue and Della and Kazin lingered for a moment to take in the sight.
    Some young mages came out of the tower and watched in awe as the elf disembarked and the dragon transformed from a giant reptile into a young, ordinary human. As Kazin approached, they quickly gave way when they saw the insignia on his cloak and realized that he was an arch mage.
    “I wish I could do that,” said one mage after Kazin had passed.
    “Don’t be silly,” said another mage. “Only arch mages can transform into a dragon.”
    “You’re wrong,” said third