The Fifth Magic (Book 1) by Brian Rathbone Read Free Book Online

affair. It took quick thinking and ingenuity to keep me from drowning but we survived."
    "I'm sorry," Kendra whispered, not looking at Sinjin.
    "Is it enough?" Catrin asked, looking pointedly at Kendra, who shrank under the Herald's glare. "The less you know, the less dangerous you are to me. By coming here, you've already risked much."
    "War is coming," Sinjin said. "Trinda and Allette have allied themselves and threatened the Council of the Known Lands."
    "I know," Catrin said. "All the more reason you shouldn't be here. You risk everything I've done."
    "I'm sorry," Sinjin said, guilt replacing his rage. "Come with us," he finally said. His heart would never forgive him if he didn't ask.
    Pain flashed in Catrin's eyes. "I can't."
    "What do you mean, you can't?" Sinjin asked, his voice involuntarily taking on a whining quality even he hated.
    "Don't make me tell you why. It's bad enough I've had to reveal this much. You will both just have to trust me. Can you do that?"
    "Yes," Kendra said with a sniff.
    Sinjin took longer to respond. "I want my mom back."
    "I would come with you if I could but I cannot. Forgive me, my son," Catrin said, her voice wavering.
    Sinjin turned back to Valterius with unshed tears in his eyes, the strength of his soul all that held them back.
    "I've always been there with you, my son, even if you could not see me."
    The look Sinjin gave her made it clear he didn't want to hear her words.
    "Think back and you'll know my actions, for I am the wind."
    There were no more words spoken before Catrin raised her hands and with the full power of the true Herald of Istra, she held back the raging seas and provided an opening large enough to fly through. Valterius wasted no time, and Gerhonda touched the tip of his tail, she followed so closely. Both clearly remembered their entrance into the Black Spike. Once clear, the waters rushed back in to fill the void, and his mother was once more lost to him. He was no closer to understanding why. "I'm sorry," were the only words he could find.
    "So am I," Kendra said. "So am I."

Chapter 4
    Suffer the young. They know not yet their ignorance and frailty.
    --Madra of Far Rossing
     
    * * *
     
    Within Dragonhold, it was easy to forget the outside world existed. News barely penetrated the mountain fortress and Trinda's security. Even if it did get inside, most news traveled slowly and to only those the source trusted. Some talkative folks disappeared. Strom didn't believe the stories offered. Certainly people could fall into the river and be swept out, but it stretched the imagination, especially since those missing did not work near the river. Dragonhold was the largest single hold on all of Godsland, and people did not just end up somewhere they didn't belong for no reason.
    Sitting across from him, Osbourne grimaced. "I had hoped things would one day get better. If I listened just to what Trinda told us, I'd think they had, but the word from the Vestrana continues to be nothing but grim. I almost feel bad staying in here."
    "I know," Strom said, checking over his shoulder, wanting to be certain they were alone. Those words in the wrong ears could get people killed.
    "I miss Cat," Osbourne continued. "She might not have always known what to do, but she always managed to decide on something and set the course. Now I spend half my time trying to figure out if I'm doing the wrong things."
    Strom just grunted and picked at a metal splinter lodged under his skin. He barely felt it, his hands desensitized by his profession. Swinging a hammer and beating metal into shape had its benefits, his powerful muscles among them, but there were also drawbacks. He'd been told his hands were as smooth as a cat's tongue, which was not something all ladies could overlook. Working with glass had left Osbourne with hands not much better though less rough.
    Finally Martik arrived, slipping into Strom's chambers. There was plenty of room, but the engineer pulled a stool close. "Had to