Crystal Doors #3: Sky Realm (No. 3) by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta Read Free Book Online

shouted, his face filled with delight. “Is it not beautiful? My city of Irrakesh is the grandest city ever built.”
    “It sure isn’t like anything I’ve ever seen, I’ll grant you that,” Vic shouted back, panting. “Are we going to land soon? Some of us aren’t on a magic carpet, you know.”
    At the base of a rocky hill with steep, curving streets that led up to the enormous colorful palace, Sharif descended and found an open square. “We could fly directly to one of the palace balconies, but I would like to show you around first.” The pride was plain in the Prince’s face as he landed.
    “Sure, I’ll play tourist,” Vic said.
    “Did not the Sultan demand your presence immediately?” Tiaret asked.
    Sharif’s face darkened. “Who knows what my father will demand of me once he knows we are here? We will see him soon enough.”
    Sharif carefully rolled up his embroidered purple rug, aligning the edges and making certain that the tassels did not get tangled. On Elantya, he was the only person who had a flying carpet, but they seemed rare even here on the floating city of Irrakesh, presumably owned only by the highest class of nobles.
    Their group attracted quite a crowd. Some of the merchants came out to see the cause of all the fuss. Children poked their heads out of second-and third-story windows. A murmur went up from the crowd. “Prince Ali! Prince Ali el Sharif has come back to us.”
    Blushing, Sharif drew a breath, lifted his chin, and held up his hands. “Yes, I have returned to Irrakesh, but I also have responsibilities in Elantya. There is still much to do there.”
    Piri bobbed along beside him, glowing a colorful pale blue. She caused as much of a stir as the Prince did. “The nymph djinni has grown. See how changed she is?”
    “Piri has been through a hard time,” Sharif said, “but she is stronger. And I am stronger. I have come to see my people and to see my father.”
    Vic thought the other boy was showing off a bit. Before becoming close friends with him, Vic had thought Sharif somewhat conceited, full of his own importance. Now, though, he knew that the young man had never wanted to be the leader of Irrakesh. However, since Azric had killed his brother Hashim, the Prince didn’t have much choice but to take on the role.
    With his flying carpet tucked under the billowing sleeve of one arm, Sharif strolled forward leading his friends. Some of the people cheered him, others simply stared. At one booth, Sharif stopped to examine a rack of long, thick walking sticks made from polished wood tipped with iron. Selecting one, he handed a coin to the seller, who thanked Prince Ali profusely. Sharif then gave the stick to Tiaret and said, “Use this while we are here in Irrakesh. You can take it with you into the palace. It is not a weapon — though I believe you could use it as such, if the occasion arose.”
    Tiaret nodded her thanks, hefted the staff, and tapped it once on the cobblestones. It gave a pleasing thump, and the girl from Afirik smiled and looked far more at ease.
    “Kinda reminds me of Little John’s quarterstaff in Robin Hood,” Vic said with a grin.
    “Was this quarterstaff used for defense, or to assist a feeble person in walking?” Tiaret asked.
    “Definitely defense,” Gwen assured her.
    Vic chuckled. “Little John was anything but feeble.”
    “Excellent. Then this is my quarterstaff,” Tiaret said.
    They walked past the tent of a food vendor whose colored awning was electric green and vibrant pink, bright enough to make Vic’s eyes ache. But what really caught his attention were the delicious smells. His stomach growled loudly.
    Sharif laughed, seeing the hungry look in his friends’ faces, and he went to the vendor. “Are these the best skewers in the city?” he demanded.
    “Indeed, they are, my Prince.” The man puffed his chest with pride. “I guarantee it on my mother’s life.”
    “And is your mother still alive?”
    The man hesitated. “They