The Magic Of Krynn Read Online Free PDF Page B

quiver
     with fear.
    I wanted to get away from this cursed Blood Sea and away from the memory of this awful
     night.
    It was still dark, but I could tell by the stars that the night would soon be over. I was
     desperate for sun to warm my soul.
    I grieved for Six-Finger Fiske; I truly did. I couldn't stop thinking of him and his
     strange words before he vanished beneath the waves. But I had to take care of myself, so I
     fixed my position by the stars and began rowing toward shore. And the more I rowed, the
     more joyously grateful I was to be alive. I had survived. And as I slowly rowed the boat
     back toward the little fishing village where the adventure began, I started to think . . .
    I saw it all in my minds eye. Me, Duder Basillart, had faced the great Blood Sea Monster
     and I had lived to tell the tale. Dwarves,
    minotaurs, kender-everyone- would come from all comers of the world to hear me tell how I
     had valiantly tried to catch the mighty sea beast;
    h6w I had heaved on the rope with all my might and turned the monster from its course. How
     I had tried to save the old man by yelling for him to cut the line. And I would tell them
     about the evil, awesome creature with its wings and its deep rumbling voice. Yes, I'd tell
     them how it SPOKE TO ME! How it spared me because of my bravery. Yes, that's what I'd say.
    And who would doubt it?
    After all, didn't I have the monster's tooth? Was there another creature's tooth like this
     anywhere else in the world? No, I had the evidence of my miraculous adventure and my
     future was now secure. More than secure; it was perfect!
    I couldn't afford to lose the Blood Sea Monster's tooth. I realized that, without it, I
     was nothing. Instead of fearing it, I embraced it, using what was left of Six-Finger's
     fishing line to hang the broken tooth around my neck. It was so long that it dangled down
     to my waist. I would let nothing come between me and my glorious find. Nothing.
    I became so excited by the thought of my future that I rowed even faster toward port. A
     whole new life awaited me on the dawning. And then I rowed even harder, thinking about all
     the presents I would re ceive, the fine food I'd be served. They would be sorry that they
     cast me out, made me a dark elf. Yes, they would be sorry, because my name would be on the
     tongues of millions. I'd be the most envied elf that ever walked Krynn!
    The sky was beginning to lighten. The dawn would be approaching soon. There, on the
     horizon, I could see a dark smudge that could only be land.
    Faster and faster I rowed, my mind aflame with thoughts of greatness-until the sea around
     me suddenly began to churn and foam. The waves rose and fell, and the little boat was
     buffeted out of my control.
    No! Please! Land was so close!
    I lost one of my oars. It slipped from my hand and splashed into the heaving water near
     the side of the boat. I had to get to land. I needed that oar. I reached out over the side
     of the boat-and saw the Blood Sea Monster storm up out of the depths right in front of me.
    “NOW, it's your time!” I heard the same raspy voice whisper inside my head.
    I looked up into its face-and was stunned to see my own face
    reflected there. The image changed so quickly. It was young, then old, then ravaged by
     time until only the bones and empty eye sockets remained. Yet it was me. Always me.
    I wanted to argue, fight, run. But inside my head the voice said, “Some die old, content
     with their wisdom. Some die young with silly dreams in their heads. I come for them all.”
    I clutched at the tooth; it was supposed to change my life. And it did. I had leaned too
     far over the side, and when the boat rocked from the waves, the weight of the tooth around
     my neck sent me plummeting overboard.
    It was then that I saw the bright, blinding light. Now I see everything. And nothing.
    A Stone's Throw Away Roger E. Moore
    The citadel of the Magus sprawled atop the bleakest