Quest for the Secret Keeper Read Online Free PDF Page B

on him. “And you?” the soldier asked, his tone a bit stiff.
    “Carl,” Ian’s friend said promptly. “Carl Lawson.”
    “I am …,” the soldier began, but seemed to catch himself, as if he was wondering whether revealing his name was a good idea. At last he said, “I am Argos.”
    “It’s nice to meet you,” Ian said, only then realizing what a serious predicament the soldier was in. He pointed down the length of the tunnel. “I’m afraid you’re stuck here with us for a little while.”
    The soldier turned and considered the blackness behind him. “You must tell me where, and what period I’m in,” he said.
    Ian’s brow shot up. “You know you’re in a different time?” he asked.
    “I have heard of a magical gateway to another place and time. It is a thing of myth in my land, but someone Iknow well believes in its existence so much that I tend not to doubt her.”
    Ian’s mind leapt with an idea. “Could you by any chance be speaking of the Oracle Laodamia?”
    Argos’s eyes softened. “I am indeed,” he said. “She is a great and noble lady and one of my dearest friends.”
    “You
know
Laodamia?” Carl gasped.
    The soldier pointed his thumb at Carl. “Does he not hear well?”
    Ian smiled. “We have a great deal to share with you,” he said. And on the steps he explained all that had happened to them in the past two years, including the discovery of the prophecies, and how they had yet to act on any part of the third scroll from Laodamia’s treasure box. Ian even fished out his copy for the soldier to inspect, but Argos couldn’t read it, which Ian realized was because it was written in English. Ian read it aloud to the soldier, the piece of the Star allowing him easily to translate it into Phoenician, and while the soldier listened intently, Ian hoped something within the lines would spark a connection for the man.
            
The first of you shall be the last
            
When champion steps out from the past
            
To corner you with sword and might
            
Do not tempt him with a fight!
            
Win him to you; win his heart
            
For he will serve you till you part
            
With his coming, time is near
            
Travel soon to save your dear
            
One with name of open water
            
Perfect tribute to her father
            
He will join another realm
            
As duty calls you to the helm
            
Cross the water, save two souls
            
Learn from me within these scrolls
            
While you search for safe way home
            
You will visit man of stone
            
Heed this warning, know it well
            
Listen not, and find you fell
            
Ian Wigby must not drink!
            
Potion poisoned with dark ink
            
Face the foe with all your courage
            
Save yourself, and fight the urge
            
Force the choice upon another
            
He will save his loyal brother
            
See the next one of your crew
            
Boy of noble heart proved true
            
Four now serve the greater cause
            
But first at portal you will pause
            
The land I fear you dread to go
            
Will open now, and cause you woe
            
Steadfast though your hearts may be
            
Here you risk what’s kept you free
            
Quest for Keeper must begin!
            
Though the odds at hand are slim
            
Find my champion deep within
            
Land that makes your heart grow dim
            
At your side strides next of kin
            
Save the Keeper from the wind
            
Ice will kill him if she can
            
All is part of evil plan
            
In the midst of all this doom
            
Find the fifth within the room
            
He is