Uncrowned (Cradle, #7)

by Will Wight

“Have you laid your concerns to rest?” she asked. The old man stared deep into the wall, bottle dangling from one hand. “He's a monster.” “I take it you approve.”

“You know the Sage of the Frozen Blade, don't you?” “Like an arrow that missed my neck,” Yerin muttered. “My master almost married her.”

[Try not to panic, but you are now sharing a sealed basement with a man who could destroy this whole city. I recommend deep breaths.]

He was known for waging war singlehandedly. His techniques toppled cities and blighted forests. He had killed a dragon Herald, the Eight-Man Empire had a bounty on his head, and some cultures included him in their mythology as an omen of war. He was Malice's sharp sword, a legendary one-man force of devastation.

“Well,” she said with a sigh, “there’s one easy answer: make it to Monarch. Then you can spend all the time you want on romance and no one can say anything. Just ask my mother.”

“I judge this tournament now,” Northstrider announced to the entire arena, and his tone left no room for debate. “The contestants will fight under my protection and according to my will.”

“You're not even from the same corner of the world. What are you doing together?” One of the fish-men hissed out a laugh. “Sink to the depths with your questions unanswered, little bird.” Eithan held a hand to his temple as though receiving a voice transmission. “They were…bribed to work against us. My mysterious, mystical senses tell me that…the gold dragons were responsible.”

“Now that the rest of his team has been eliminated, we have decided to list him under his real name: Naian Blackflame.” Dross gasped. Mercy covered her mouth with a hand and looked to Lindon.

“Your opponent asked for his last words to be delivered to you.” Lindon felt a pang in his heart. Last words. So Naian had expected what happened to him. “He said, ‘The dragon advances.’”

Finally, he offered payment. When the Mad King cracked open the box, even Makiel leaned forward. Inside was a ball of life and potential, a picture of hope and power, a condensed pearl of raw existence and authority. With the physical eye, it was hard to perceive it as anything other than a ball of light, but Makiel recognized it as one of the most valuable objects to ever exist. A Worldseed.

“You can do this! Don’t worry! Do I look worried? No, I don’t, because I’m not, and you shouldn’t be either!” She was practically screaming at him, and Lindon felt flash-blinded. “Forgiveness, but what is happening?” he asked.

“Children.” He sounded as though he stood right next to them. “I am Kiuran of the Hounds. Do not be bound by this world. The most talented of you will one day be offered the choice to leave, to emerge from this cradle and truly live. Do not take the example of your elders. When the invitation comes, accept it, and let your eyes be opened to the real world.”

Little Blue. Lindon looked in confusion as the six-inch Riverseed charged him on her tiny legs. “What’s going on?” Little Blue pulled out a knife.