Wizards of Fyre (Island of Fyre Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

hand on the wall and the other holding the basket, she made her slow way along the tunnel. The air held a musty aroma that spoke of little use. She finally reached the wall blocking the end. Slowly she pressed the dragon carvings using the triangular pattern she had discovered. The wall opened and she stepped outside.
    Clouds covered the moon. She ran the distance to the fyrethorn tangle, where many bushes entwined their branches. After catching her breath, she found the way to the center. She pushed the basket ahead of her taking care not to snag her clothes on the thorns.
    Several times she was jabbed by the spikes. She felt thankful for her immunity to the poison. She studied all she’d gathered and felt hopeful she would manage to find one of the travel packs.
    She made her return trip and crept into her room without being discovered. As she lay on the cot, she waited for her pounding heart to slow. She opened her thoughts to Dragon.
    ‘I am nearly ready to travel.’
    ‘Leave now and listen to my voice.’
    ‘Not yet. I must wait until many of the wizards leave the citadel. They travel to a clan gathering. If the full council is present, they can trace me with their wands.’ She closed her eyes.
    The next morning sounds in the common room stirred her awake. Hag Mother shouted her name. “Rise. Dress. Come to the courtyard. The wizards are leaving.”
    Lorana changed her wrinkled gray dress for one of brown. She stumbled after the women.
    The line of men faced Mecador. Arton and Cregan stood behind him. The chief wizard approached the grille and beckoned to Lorana.
    She clasped her trembling hands behind her back. What did he want?
    “Young woman, your industry pleases me. You are the perfect reward for one of these young men. While we are at the clan gathering they face another test. Think kindly of them. When they return they will face at least one more test.”
    Lorana stood with her head bowed. She refused to look up lest she give away her plans to escape. She had to remain calm. She didn’t want to be held a prisoner in the cells below.
    The gate opened. Nine wizards plus the senior fledglings marched through the gate opening and joined six guards leading burden beasts. The sleek four-footed equines with mottled coats in gray or brown bore packs. The council members, the wizards of second rank, the younglings, and a group of guards remained.
    As the men marched away, the taste of freedom tantalized.
     
    *  * *
     
    Though Arton hadn’t completely regained his strength he followed the other wizards through the open gate. He glanced over his shoulder and studied the gray stone structure. Three towers jutted above the high walls. He joined three of the elders who had been his mentor’s friends. At the head of the procession, Cregan strode beside Mecador.
    The path they followed had been covered with paving stones now turned to rubble. On the other side grass spread. In the distance Arton saw cattle gone wild. He helped the elderly men as best as he could. Their labored breathing troubled him. Why hadn’t Mecador ordered burden beasts for the aged to ride? Did the chief wizard hope the trek would kill the elderly and allow their sons to take their places on the council? The empty seat being contested for should have been his, but the lack of blood ties between Arton and his mentor had been the reason he had been denied the automatic rise to the council. If Arton had been granted the council seat, Cregan would have had to duel with his father or face being banished for a year and returning as a second ranked wizard.
    Arton considered the coming test. He and Cregan were to be judged on how many clansmen they defeated. Each one meant a slave to be traded for supplies.
    He left the elderly men and joined the guards leading the burden beasts. Perhaps they could help him. He had always treated the guards with respect. Cregan hadn’t. “About these fights. Are there any tips you can give me?”
    One of the men