The Seventh Magic (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

What should be white sands and blue water were covered in noxious brown and black ooze. A child of both land and sea, Kenward was repulsed. Beyond that waited a pervasive sense of doom. Allette was trapped within a pit of pure evil. He spared a thought for Trinda as well; whatever he did for Allette he also did for the child queen. It was enough.
    Sinjin and Kendra guided their dragons back toward deck. They had been flying ahead but no longer. Scouting inland would have been pointless since the Jaga threatened from the very start.
    "You are a good man, Kenward Trell," Kendra said, coming to his side. "You've a noble heart, and she knows how you feel. Dying is a poor way to prove your love." Reasoned, convincing words delivered in a measured tone.
    Kenward listened without looking at her, his tears falling to the deck. "I can do nothing to save her. I am weak, helpless, and impotent at the very moment I so wish to be strong. I can fix so many things . . . but I can't fix this."
    "There is no dishonor in turning back," Kendra said.
    Kenward nodded and turned to his skeleton crew. Those he trusted most and who trusted him stood at the rails, watching madness approach. "If you plan to see the morning, get off the Portly Dragon now. The last favor I will ask of my dragon-riding friends is that they fly you all to safety."
    Dragons stood ready to transport the crew, but no one stepped forward. Kenward swallowed hard. It was one thing to sacrifice himself, entirely another to take his crew and friends--his family--down with him. Kenward Trell faced an impossible decision, feeling as if he were being physically torn apart. Jessub Tillerman moved to his place between the thrust tubes. The rest returned to their work. They knew what they faced, and they stood ready to do their jobs. Proud of his crew, he would not dishonor their bravery.
    "Sinjin, Kendra," Kenward said, "you may take your leave. The Portly Dragon sets sail for the Noonspire with all haste."
    "You're just going to fly in there and save her?" Kendra asked.
    "The Dragon will get me close, and I'll take the bumblebee in the rest of the way. If all goes well, we leave with one more than we came in with."
    Kendra shook her head. The time for persuasion had passed. "Travel well, my friend. May we meet again on the other side."
    Sinjin and Kendra said their final good-byes and climbed back atop their dragons. Running to the part of the deck marked stern, he looked out to see two verdant dragons coming fast, one significantly smaller than the other. Kenward felt relief on recognizing Jehregard. Still, the larger dragon approaching at such high speed intimidated. Roaring as it passed, the mighty beast left the air roiling, which shook the Portly Dragon , her rope-bound joints screaming in protest.
    The two regal dragons took flight. Kenward watched the large verdant dragon as it executed a wide turn, hoping to be recognized as friends. Onin's voice could soon be heard bellowing the words, "Turn back! If you wish to live, turn back now!"
    Kenward really didn't need another reminder, but he appreciated the effort nonetheless. He couldn't say he hadn't been warned.
    "The heart of the Jaga is lousy with ferals," Onin said as Jehregard flew circles around the Portly Dragon . "And the Noonspire presents a far greater danger. We must join together if we're to defeat this darkness."
    Kenward knew the wisdom of his words.
    "Leave them!" came shouting from a tierre atop the second verdant dragon. The sheer size of the beast made it terrifying, its bellowed displeasure no more reassuring. "You've warned them; now let's move on. You've seen. There's no more time."
    "Evil threatens us all," Onin said after a brief pause. "I must go. I must do my duty."
    "Be well, Onin of the Old Guard!" Kenward yelled with a wave. "Jessub, take us into the darkness."
     
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    The problem with living remote enough to keep away the fools is that you occasionally have to come out. Even knowing the