The Sapphire Quest Read Online Free PDF

Skadi had ordered him to do.
    It was cold in the hall and Sindri began to shiver. Bryndis tapped his shoulder and pointed back up the long corridor. The sister and brothers tiptoed away but Tia stayed where she was. Halfway up, Bryndis turned, a puzzled look on her face. She flapped her hand urgently at Tia to signal she had to hurry and catch up.
    Tia mouthed,
Sorry
, and stepped out into the hall. She went up to the sculptor. ‘Master Zeno?’
    He turned and rocked back on his stool in surprise. He swiftly looked Tia over, his eyebrows bunching darkly above the bridge of his curved nose. Tia thought he might shout at her for disturbing him, and got ready to run. But a warm friendly smile spread over his face. ‘Why, it’s a child. What can I do for you, my dear?’
    Tia smiled back. ‘I’d like to ask you a question.’
    â€˜Of course.’
    â€˜Are you from over the Southern Sea, Master?’
    â€˜Yes, I am.’
    Tia took out her locket and opened it. ‘This is a picture of my father, Elio. He’s from the same place as you and I wondered if you’d heard of him.’
    The sculptor rose from his stool and reached out. But instead of taking the locket in his hand as Tia expected, he seized her arm and yelled, ‘Guards! Guards!’

    Tia struggled but the man’s grip was hard. The more she wriggled and kicked the tighter he held her.
    Two guards rushed in. ‘This is the thief girl, Nadya, wanted by the Lady Skadi – summon her immediately!’ Zeno shouted.
    One of the guards ran out in the direction of Skadi’s tower and the second seized Tia’s other arm. She couldn’t believe what had happened. The Master Sculptor had looked so kind with his smiling face. She had put her friends in danger for no reason – and got herself captured.
    Skadi swept into the hall escorted by several more guards. Her cloak flew out behind her and her hair streamed down her back, making the white streak look more like a bolt of lightning than ever. The sapphire glittered from the bracelet on her arm.
    â€˜So, this is our little jewel thief,’ Skadi said, a note of triumph in her voice.
    Tia glared at the sculptor as he pushed her forward and bowed extravagantly to the High Witch.
    â€˜Indeed it is, my lady. And I claim my reward of five hundred silver marks.’
    That was all he wanted! He’d tricked Tia for money. Why had she allowed her eagerness to find out about her father blind her to danger?
    Skadi waved him away. ‘I shall question the girl first and then we shall see.’
    â€˜But, Lady...’
    Skadi swung round and snapped, ‘I said, we shall see.’
    â€˜Of course, Lady.’ The sculptor bowed again and hurriedly backed away.
    If Tia hadn’t been scared, she’d have laughed. Zeno’s expression was a mixture of fury, frustration and resentment. All trace of the friendly smile was gone. He left, darting evil glances at Tia.
    Skadi ordered the guard to let go of Tia and all the soldiers withdrew to the edges of the hall. Then she touched Tia’s shoulder. For a moment she wondered if the witch was going to ‘take’ her but she simply drew Tia inside her cloak and smiled down encouragingly. It didn’t fool Tia for a second.
    â€˜I think you should give me the jewels, Nadya – the emerald, the opal and the topaz.’
    â€˜I’m not Nadya and I haven’t got any jewels, Lady.’
    â€˜Shall we see? Empty your pockets.’
    Skadi kept her hand tightly on Tia’s shoulder as she turned her pockets inside out. There was nothing in them.
    â€˜Hmm.’ Skadi pointed to the locket Tia clutched in her hand. ‘What’s that?’
    Tia reluctantly showed her. ‘This is a picture of my father.’ Tia’s mouth went dry. Elio was married to Skadi’s youngest sister – what if she recognized his portrait? ‘Papa went missing and I’ve been