Quest Of The Dragon Tamer (Book 1) by Cole Pain Page B

his body wasn’t in the courtyard so he had to be one of the soldiers they were holding to flush Ren out.
    A death at dawn and a death at twilight, those were the orders. They came from Valor himself. Since dawn had already passed they had to execute a man in the heat of the day. When she had seen who swung from the gallows near the gates her fury had heightened. It was Eli, Stardom’s priest. Eli was a man of peace, a man loved and respected by all who knew him. Marva hoped the Abyss opened up and swallowed Valor and his deformed accomplice.
    Marva shivered. Ista touched everyone she passed with her wrinkled fingers, urging them to stay and train to become soldiers of magic. Marva couldn’t quite peg what was behind Ista’s glare. It wasn’t arrogance or greed, as most leaders possessed. It was a type of irreverence, almost apathy that sent a quiver down Marva’s spine. Although Ista would stop at nothing to gain the support of the Lands, she cared little for them. Ista may promise peace but her peace treaties would bring war. Couldn’t the people see the Collective’s glorification of magic would send the Lands into slavery? The future elite would disregard morality for gluttonousness and they would sacrifice their dignity for gold.
    Marva’s face darkened and her blue eyes flashed a warning to the stones beneath her feet. The more she thought the more vehement she became. She hoped Quinton had bloodied his sword on so many it was permanently stained.
    As she approached the last room in the dungeon she smoothed her face, stuck out her chest and sauntered in as if she belonged there. It had worked so far. Men were aroused if the breeze blew. She was sure she had their heads spinning, but that was what she wanted – something to give her undisputed entrance.
    A cluster of guards played astragali in front of her, oblivious to her approach. She put on a cajoling grin and cleared her throat. The head guard threw the elongated dice before looking up. “What do we have here?”
    She tried to look as dumb as she could and smiled in feigned attraction. She had learned if she showed any intelligence at all men became suspicious and quickly distanced themselves, but if she batted her eyelashes like a young girl in heat they flocked in like lambs to slaughter. The guard’s eyes flickered down her form. She had dolled up in a serving woman’s dress, making sure it was a few sizes too small. It suited her purpose nicely. Men could be so easily distracted. It amazed her sometimes.
    “So many guards for a handful of men?” She forced her eyes to survey the guard’s body as she shifted her medical supplies on her hip. Her breasts swelled at the effort.
    “Orders,” he said, moving closer. The remaining men stopped the game and watched with interest.
    She breathed a sigh as if she tired of bringing the message. “Ista and Valor are in search of everyone with the power, even those down here. Ista will be coming to test them soon.” She licked her lips and turned her gaze to the area below the guard’s waist. “I’m ordered to tend to the most critical parts of the injured, just in case they have the Quy. We need every defense to defeat the prince.” She winked at him.
    “We’ll have to search you,” the guard said, mouth lifting into a grin. His teeth were crooked, a few of them rotten. She hated men with bad teeth. Quinton’s were a white fortress of defense, hard and commanding. They had served her well many a night.
    “By all means,” she said, harboring her disgust. She set down her medicine kit and spread her legs, holding her hands to each side.
    The guard chuckled and moved with carnal purpose. She ground her teeth and closed her eyes. She could take it better if she didn’t see what they were doing. His hands lingered on her breasts before slowly inching down to her stomach. When he leaned in closer to wrap his hands around her backside, she peeked over his shoulder.
    She spotted Quinton immediately.