Quest's End: The Broken Key #3 Read Online Free PDF Page A

take away most of the design, all you have left is the coat of arms.”
    Bart and Riyan examined it closely as he held it for them to see. “It could be,” agreed Riyan.
    “What do you mean it could be?” argued Chad. “It is the coat of arms.” Then he traced it with his finger. “See here, the outline and the stripe.”
    Bart took the bottle and held it closer to better examine it. “You may be right,” he said.
    “The River Man is to the south,” Chyfe stated.
    Riyan and Bart both turned to look at him.
    “Durik had to be interested in him for some reason,” he explained. “There could be a connection.”
    “That’s a long way to go and be wrong,” Soth cautioned. “Especially this time of year.”
    To Chad, Riyan asked, “Did he say where he bought it?”
    “He didn’t exactly buy it,” replied Chad. “A trader had given it to him in the hopes of exploring trading possibilities for the wine. The trader was located in Kendruck down by the border with the Moran Tribes.”
    “The word around town is that Tribesmen raiders haven’t been sighted on Byrdlon’s side of the border since Winter’s Solstice,” Chyfe said.
    “Could be they’re waiting until spring to resume their raids,” Seth said. “If that’s the case, now would be the best time to make an attempt to enter their territory.”
    They were quiet while Seth and Soth took turns examining the bottle. Each was debating in their own minds whether to follow this lead or not. “It’s all we have to go on,” Riyan said, breaking the silence.
    “True,” agreed Bart.
    “And it does look like the coat of arms we saw hanging in the hall on that island,” Seth said.
    Soth nodded his agreement as he handed the bottle to Chyfe. “If the coat of arms dates as you say from the time of the King,” began Soth, “then it’s entirely possible that changes could have been made to it over the years. It isn’t unheard of for something to be added to a coat of arms after a particularly momentous event.”
    “I’ve heard of that too,” agreed Chyfe.
    Bart glanced to Riyan. “We could go down to Kendruck and investigate,” he said. “We don’t have anything else to go on.”
    Chyfe turned from examining the bottle and cast a grin at Bart. “Good!” he exclaimed. “I’m tired of hanging around here all the time.”
    “Well, if we’re heading south,” Riyan said, “we’re going to need supplies.” Then he glanced out the window to the tower and added, “Someone better go and tell Kevik what we’re doing.”

    Kevik was more agreeable to the planned trip than Riyan had anticipated. He had thought for sure he would have wanted to remain locked in his tower working on spells.
    “This may afford me the opportunity to practice a few of the spells I have been working on,” he said.
    “Such as?” asked Riyan.
    “Oh, nothing earth shattering to be sure,” he replied. “Watch.” He stepped back, made a hand gesture then spoke the words of a spell.
    Riyan was surprised to see a shimmering form in the air between them. “What’s it supposed to do?” he asked.
    “It should prevent arrows and other such projectiles from reaching me,” replied Kevik. He moved his hand and the shimmering moved with it. “I can move it in whatever direction I need.”
    “Can you do that for everyone?” Riyan asked.
    Kevik shook his head. “No,” he replied. “Just me I’m afraid.”
    Riyan gave him nod. “That could still prove quite useful.”
    The shimmering field disappeared as Kevik canceled the spell. Grinning at his accomplishment he asked, “When are we leaving?”
    “Tomorrow morning if the weather holds,” Riyan replied.
    “Excellent,” said Kevik. “That may be just enough time for me to finish working out another one we may need.”
    “Another one?” Riyan asked.
    Kevik nodded. “There’s always another one,” he said. “This one produces a cloud which will put to sleep anyone caught within it.”
    “Alright,” Riyan