Alcatraz versus the Knights of Crystallia Read Online Free PDF Page B

kingdoms. Either way, taking over Mokia will put them one step closer to controlling the entire world. Manhandling Moons! Do you really think we can just give away an entire kingdom like that?"
    I looked at Sing. The oversized anthropologist and his sister had become very dear to me over the last few months. They were earnest and fiercely loyal, and Sing had believed in me even when I'd tried to push him away. And for that, I wanted to do whatever I could to help him.
    "No," I said. "You're right, we can't let that happen. We've got to stop it."
    Grandpa Smedry smiled, laying a hand on my shoulder. It might not seem like much, but this was a drastic turning point for me. It was the first time I really decided that I was in. I'd entered the Library of Alexandria only because I'd been chased by a monster. I'd only gone into Blackburn's lair because Grandpa Smedry had urged me on.
    T his was different. I understood then why my grandfathe r had called me over. He wanted me to be part of t h is – not just a kid who tags along, but a full participant.
    Something tells me I'd have been much better off hiding i n m y room. Responsibility. It's the opposite of selfishness. I wish I'd known where it would get me. But this was before my betrayal and before I went blind.
    Through one of the windows, I could see that the dragon had begun to descend. A moment later, the gondola settled again st the ground.
    We had arrived.

CHAPTER 4
    All right, I understand. you're confused. Don't feel ashamed; it happens to everyone once in a while. (Except me, of course.)
    Having read the prev ious two books of my autobiogra phy (as I'm sure by now you have), y ou know that I'm generally down on myself. I've told you that I'm a liar, a sadist, and a terrible person. And yet no w in this volume, I've started talking about my awesomeness. Have I really changed my mind? Have I actually decided that I am a hero? Am I wearing kitty-cat socks right now?
    No. (The socks have dolphins on them.)
    I've realized something. By being so hard on myself in the previous books, I sounded l ike I was being humble. Readers assumed that because I said I was a terrible person, I must – indeed – be a saint.
    Honestly, are you people determined to drive me insane? Why can't you just listen to what I tell you?
    Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that the only way t o c onvince you readers that I'm a terrible person is to show y ou how arrogant and self-centered I am. I'll do this by t alk ing about my virtues. Incessantly. All the time. Until you’re completely sick of hearing about my superiority.
    Ma ybe then you'll understand.
    T he royal palace of Nalhalla turned out to be the white, py ramid-like castle at the center of the city. I stepped from the gondola, trying not to gawk as I gazed up at the magn i fi cent building. The stonework was carved up as high as I cou ld see.
    "Forward!" Grandpa Smedry said, rushing up the steps like a general running into battle. He's remarkably spry for a pe rson who is always late to everything.
    I glanced at Bastille, who looked kind of sick. "I think I'll wait outside ,” she said.
    "You're going in," Draulin snapped, walking up the st e ps, her armor clinking.
    I frowned. Usually, Draulin was very keen on making B astille wait outside, since a mere "squire" shouldn't be involved in important issues. Why insist that she enter the palace? I shot Bastille a questioning glance, but she just grimaced. So I rushed to catch up to my grandfather and Sing.
    ". . . afraid I can't tell you much more, Lord Smedry,” Sing was saying. "Folsom is the one who has been keeping track of the Council of Kings in your absence."
    "Ah, yes," Grandpa Smedry said. "He'll be here, I assume?"
    "He should be!" Sing said.
    “ Another cousin?" I asked.
    Grandpa Smedry nodded. "Quentin's elder brother, son of my daughter, Pattywagon. Folsom's a fine lad! Brig had his eye on the boy for quite some time to marry one of his daughters, I believe."
    "Brig?" I