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

didn’t you?” said Tarlan. “Where is he taking me?”
    Elodie glanced around furtively, then lowered her voice. “I don’t know exactly. But I think you’re going to help Melchior get his powers back.”
    â€œPowers?” At first Tarlan didn’t understand. Then it dawned on him. “His magic ? You mean he doesn’t . . .”
    He listened as Elodie told him a story that sounded like a tale to scare children, but which he knew was only too true. A tale of betrayal, and a witch burned at the stake, and a wizard so desperate to save her that he’d sacrificed his magic in the attempt.
    â€œOur mother,” he breathed when she’d finished. “I didn’t think I could hate Brutan any more than I did. I will find him. And when I do, I will kill him!”
    â€œHe’s dead already,” Elodie said drily. “It doesn’t seem to have made much difference.”
    Tarlan wasn’t listening. “I will go with Melchior. We will get his powers back. Whatever he needs me to do, I will do it. I will do it for our mother, Elodie!”
    He broke off. His sister’s eyes were wide with some emotion he couldn’t measure. Why were human feelings so complex?
    â€œBe safe,” she said.
    â€œYou could come,” he said suddenly. “It’s like Fessan said: We’re safer together. Like a pack.”
    Elodie arched one eyebrow. “A pack of animals?”
    â€œExactly!”
    Elodie shook her head, but she was grinning. “You’ll be back soon,” she said. “The prophecy will see to that. Besides, Fessan needs me to help rebuild Trident. You’re not the only one with work to do.”
    She hugged him, then stepped away. The fire pit glowed behind her, surrounding her with an orange halo.
    â€œSo it’s good-bye, then.”
    â€œFarewell, my brother. For now.”
    A hard, curved shape pressed into the small of Tarlan’s back. He turned and touched his hand to the tip of Theeta’s beak.
    â€œGreythorn! Filos!” he called, leaping onto the thorrod’s back. “Go to Kitheen! We’re leaving!”
    The black thorrod crouched silently, allowing the wolf and the tigron to leap on. As they nestled in his coarse feathers, Tarlan looked to his left.
    â€œNasheen?” he said with a grin. “How’s your passenger?”
    â€œWizard heavy,” the white thorrod replied. Thorrods were not known for their sense of humor, but Tarlan got the idea that the enormous bird had just made a joke.
    â€œIt is many years since I flew,” Melchior said uncertainly. “And in those days I did not need wings.”
    On the ground, Elodie had been joined by Fessan. Even though the Trident commander sometimes made his hackles rise, Tarlan was glad his sister was under Fessan’s protection. He couldn’t imagine a more loyal ally.
    â€œWill you not reconsider?” Fessan said.
    â€œWe’ve made up our minds,” Tarlan replied. “We’re going.”
    â€œThen go with speed and in safety. And return soon.”
    â€œWe will!”
    â€œWe are in our right place,” Melchior added. “As are you, Fessan. Your father, Ossilius, would be proud of you. You will make good choices. And one day you will lead Trident to victory.”
    Upon hearing his words, Fessan relaxed visibly. For a moment Tarlan thought he saw not a confident soldier but an uncertain boy, anxious for approval. Then Fessan’s back straightened and his arm lifted in a salute.
    â€œFare you well!” he cried.
    â€œGood luck!” Elodie added. “And come back whole!”
    In a flurry of feathers, the three thorrods lifted into the night sky. Tarlan wound his fingers into Theeta’s ruff, relishing the blast of cold air against his face as the giant bird accelerated over the trees and into the waiting darkness.
    Into the world! he thought giddily. Once more into the