The Lost Realm by J. D. Rinehart Read Free Book Online

head. “Gulph can’t wait that long. He needs us now . My brother needs me .”
    â€œAnd you will help him,” said an old, dry voice.
    Tarlan whirled to find himself staring straight into the face of Melchior. He’d thought his ears were as highly tuned as those of his pack; so how did the wizard always manage to sneak up on him?
    â€œI’m glad you agree,” he said.
    â€œBut you will not help him now,” Melchior added.
    Tarlan scowled. Everything the wizard said seemed wrapped in many meanings. Humans were hard enough to understand, but wizards . . .
    â€œGulph needs me,” he said stolidly. “I have to go to him. For all I know, he might be dead.”
    â€œHe is not.”
    â€œHow do you know that?”
    Melchior raised one bony finger to the sky. The other stars had now faded, but the three prophecy stars still winked against the rosy sky.
    â€œThey appeared the night you were born,” said Melchior. “One each for the three. . . .”
    â€œI know all that,” Tarlan snapped. “I don’t see what—”
    â€œIf we see them, we’re safe.”
    It was Elodie, emerging from the gloom to stand beside the wizard. Of all the humans Tarlan had come to know, Elodie was the least strange.
    â€œThat’s what you mean, isn’t it, Melchior?” she said.
    Melchior nodded. “Your sister speaks the truth. If Gulph were dead, his star would go out. And that would extinguish the prophecy itself. The prophecy—the fate of Toronia—rests not on one pair of shoulders but on three. It is all of you, or it is none of you.”
    Tarlan stared at the lights in the sky. What was he, that his fate was bound to these celestial fires? And what right do they have to tell me what to do? Not for the first time, part of him wished he could reach up, strike them from the sky, and be free.
    â€œSo, now that is settled,” the wizard went on, “you must come with me, Tarlan. While Fessan and Elodie are busy rebuilding Trident, you and I have an important journey to make!”
    Fessan, who had been turning away, wheeled around with a startled expression on his face.
    â€œMelchior, have you lost your senses? As long as the triplets are separated, they are vulnerable. Elodie and Tarlan must stay together. And I need you here. Trident needs you.”
    Tarlan felt as surprised as Fessan looked—and pleased, too. A journey! Maybe he couldn’t escape his destiny, but could this be his chance to get away from these crowded tents and fly free in clean air once more? How wonderful that would be.
    Even if I do have to put up with a wizard for company.
    He glanced at Elodie. What would she think of being parted so soon? They’d barely gotten to know each other. But to his surprise, his sister smiled at him.
    â€œYou should go,” she said. “I can see you want to.”
    Fessan shook his head. “I cannot let you leave—neither of you.”
    â€œYou cannot stop us,” Melchior said gently. “Tarlan, will you come?”
    Mirith—who’d raised Tarlan as if he’d been her own child—had always told him the best decisions were made quickly.
    When your head and heart are at war, tell your head to lay down its sword. That’s what she used to say.
    â€œWhen are we leaving?” he asked.

    The sky was darkening by the time Tarlan found himself loading a knapsack with pouches of dried food and skins of water. Melchior had insisted that he rest before they depart and he had to concede that the long sleep curled beside Theeta’s wing had done him good. His limbs felt strong and his head clear. As he noosed the neck of the sack, Elodie came up carrying a small pile of spare clothes.
    â€œI hope you’ll remember to wash,” she said, stuffing the clothes into the sack. “You know what you’re like.”
    â€œYou knew about Melchior’s plan all along,