Read Soul of the Sorcerer - Part Three: Daughter of the Dragon for Free Online Page A

Edala’s Mother Larissa, is also in his majestic presence.”
    They nodded and followed Lisa into the passage leaving the reception room. They soon continued past a junction with an equally large passage on either side. In the distance, at the end of each, they could just make out other large rooms. Continuing ahead they arrived at a massive set of stairs, massive because each step was nearly two feet high. It took a minute to climb to the top and, although breathless, the companions, including Kenelm this time, all gasped in unison.
    This chamber was similar in floor area to the main reception area, but instead of a square ceiling it tapered off like a pyramid. There were no crystal stones in this room however; its means of illumination was far more unusual.  
    The pyramid ceiling had a multitude of symmetrically placed cylinders, about a foot in diameter and two feet in length pointing straight towards the floor at right angles. From each cylinder a beam of azure light projected downwards.
    Lloyd noticed for the first time that each light lit a stone rectangular plinth. He was reminded of the time a few years ago, before the recent trials of his life began, when his Mum had showed him the morgue at the local hospital. Lloyd felt his stomach tighten as he did indeed realise that on many of these stone beds there rested a dead body. His eyes finally adjusting to the mixture of bright light and pools of darkness, he noticed a simple wooden chair next to a plinth at the end of the room; a small stooped figure sitting upon it. Lloyd took a deep breath and slowly made his way towards the figure.
    It was a frail very very old man, with deep set eyes, currently shut tight and bags underneath them that the best plastic surgeon would struggle to fix. Although he looked much older, Lloyd recognised him. “You were the old man that stayed at the inn in Daria when we first stayed there!” It seemed so long ago now that Lloyd could not say if it had been one year or two.
    The old man stirred, but he had not been asleep, slowly he lifted his head up, his frail neck straining with the weight, his eyes also began to open and they were a silver mirror reflecting the room around them.
    “Arden, is that you?” Lloyd asked warily. Bethany lifted her eyes in exasperation “Are you stupid Lloyd? Who else could it be!” She softened her admonishment with a smile and then approached the frail old man who had made no sign of recognition. “Ingemar, do you remember me? Bethany? We didn’t have much chance to speak, but I am a friend of Edala.”
    Still no recognition. The old man's eyes started to close again. SLAP the sound of Kenelm’s hand making contact with the old man's cheeks made the others jump. Lisa gasped, but was quickly held by Allen before she could strike the monk to defend her Lord Ingemar. The old man turned and glared with anger at the monk.
    “She was my friend too!” Kenelm said, his voice edged with fury, he raised his arm to slap the old man again, this time Ingemar moved with considerable speed and strength to catch the monk’s arm in mid-flight.
    “What do you want?” he said angrily.
    “I am trying to find Edala, where has she gone?” Lloyd asked quickly, his hands gently holding monk and old man apart. The mirrored eyes blinked and refocused on Lloyd, the anger quickly receding to be replaced with sadness and resignation. “She has gone back to her old life in Kon; you will find her there with her sisters.”
    “Where is Kon?” Lloyd asked trying to remember the details of the map he had seen a long time ago when at sea.
    “It’s the capital of the Crescent empire your Highness,” Allen answered before the old man “I know it reasonably well as my father is an ambassador there and I lived with him until coming of age and signing up to serve Prince Hegan.”
    “Ooh you never said your family was important!” Bethany said with a cheeky smile while placing her arm through his. Lloyd marvelled at how