The Seven Swords by Nils Johnson-Shelton Read Free Book Online

way that clearly meant, “Who’s Kynder?”
    â€œKynder’s our dad,” Kay explained.
    â€œI can parley with the dragon,” Thumb said. “He and I need to shove off for Leagon soon anyway.”
    Artie stepped forward. If he was really becoming a king, he’d better start acting like one. “And I can talk to him too, you know.”
    â€œOf course, sire,” Thumb said, bowing slightly.
    â€œLet’s to him then, shall we?” Bercilak boomed.
    Artie ushered a dazed Erik toward the door as the group followed the Green Knight to the stables, where sure enough there was a great green dragon sitting in the paddock.
    Artie and Kay ran to Tiberius, eager to greet him. Thumb took his time. He was still peeved about having been frozen in Tiberius’s rock breath on their last adventure. Lance was extremely impressed and let out a long whistle.
    But Erik Erikssen, too shocked to deal, passed out again.
    Bercilak caught him and eased him carefully to the ground. “I think this one is a little overwhelmed, sire!”
    Kay gave Erik a sympathetic look and said, “Honestly? I think he took that pretty well. What do you think, Tiberius?”
    â€œHmmmmph,” the dragon replied.
    â€œExactly what I was thinking,” Kay deadpanned.
    â€œBoy-king,” Tiberius sang. “You’re not armed. You should be armed.”
    It was true. Artie had Excalibur’s scabbard strapped to his back, and Carnwennan hung from his belt, but he did look a little light.
    â€œThe dragon is right, my lord!” Bercilak exclaimed. “Strange things are afoot these past days. You should be more ready than you are.”
    â€œCare to help me pick out some new toys then, Bercilak?” Artie asked.
    â€œOf course! Maybe we can find something for Erik the New too.”
    Bercilak led Artie back in to peruse his weapon racks. Kay joined them while Lance stayed behind with Erik. Bedevere went into the stables and let out his saber-toothed tiger, which was very happy to see his old master. They cuddled for a while, and then the tiger and the dragon started playing. Erik momentarily came around, but when he saw Tiberius pinning a white saber-toothed tiger to the ground he promptly passed out again.
    A few minutes later Artie, Kay, and Bercilak emerged from the court, with Artie toting some new items.
    â€œWhatcha get from the treasure trove, dude?” Lance asked.
    â€œWhat’s the spear called again?” Artie asked Bercilak.
    â€œRhongomyniad.”
    â€œYeah, that,” Artie said to Lance. “I have to learn to say it really well, because after I throw it, I can call it by name and it will zip back to my hand!”
    â€œCool!” Lance exclaimed.
    Bedevere pointed at a small, cutlass-shaped sword that hung opposite Carnwennan on Artie’s belt. “Is that Flixith, sire?”
    â€œSure is,” Artie said.
    â€œWhat can it do?” Lance asked.
    â€œWhen he swings it around, it’ll make him look like he’s got four arms instead of two, which I guess is supposed to scare the cookies out of our enemies,” Artie explained.
    â€œGood,” Thumb said seriously. “We have much work to do.”
    Artie nodded in agreement and motioned for everyone to circle up near Tiberius. Lance carried Erik, who was coming back around again and moaning.
    â€œWell, Tiberius? What’s new in the Otherworld?” Artie asked.
    Tiberius slowly blinked his magnificent, rainbow-colored eyes. “Hmmph,” the dragon said. “The wizard’s play was ill-conceived. He shouldn’t’ve gone to Fenland. It has unsettled things more’n necessary. The witch’s agents are on the hunt. She’s unhappy. If Lord Numinae were well, I’d be more at ease.”
    â€œHow is Numinae?” Artie asked.
    â€œHmmmph. Lord Numinae is better’n. He’ll get back soon, in one form or another.” No one bothered to