The Seventh Magic (Book 3) by Brian Rathbone Read Free Book Online Page A

licked the edges. Soon Bryn's perch would fail, and he likely wouldn't know the difference. The fight seemed far away now. It was none of his concern. He'd done his part and made a noble sacrifice. He was satisfied and could now let go.
    Sensation returned in an overwhelming rush. Aggrezjhon and Murden released their draining grip as a new threat arrived. Not quite understanding, Bryn saw Catrin Volker descending, glowing like a goddess, her translucent hair flowing around her and taking on the color of the surrounding light. She did not come to him, as he expected. Instead, she slammed into the Noonspire with percussive force. Blinding light and another blast dulled his senses, and it barely registered when Kyrien reached in and grabbed him with mighty claws.
    Atop Kyrien's back, Pelivor fought as if the world's fate rested on his shoulders. As Bryn's senses returned, he supposed it did.
    From within the crystal came a command so forceful, every living creature not already trapped complied.
    "Go!"
     
    * * *
     
    In the moment the howler slipped from the Portly Dragon 's deck, Jessub Tillerman realized the value of a quiet life on the farm, of playing in the fields and racing back to a simple cabin when the rains came. Always when he'd had it, he had wanted more. Seldom had he simply enjoyed what he had. Now all of it was lost. The adventure he'd always craved was now likely to end his life. Suddenly it didn't seem worth it. The thoughts flashed across his consciousness even as his limbs moved. Though trembling from fear and adrenaline, he gripped the controls and exerted his will, thrust tubes howling. After tumbling, the aircraft pointed straight into a sky filled with dragons. Jessub could no longer see how close the ground was, but much of the Noonspire towered over him.
    Gradually the howler slowed before changing direction, the force of his will finding purchase. Bryn cried out from where he clung to remains of the Portly Dragon . If Jessub could have, he would have landed and brought Bryn aboard, but it was impossible. The best he might be able to do is distract the ferals and buy him some time. It didn't feel like it would be enough, but it was better than doing nothing. To do it, though, he needed speed. Still climbing, he presented an easy, slow-moving target. When dragons closed in, there was no more time to consider.
    He turned the howler on its wingtip and dived toward wild madness and flames reaching out from the Dragon 's remains. Without warning, explosions rocked the stonework surrounding the giant crystal. Sparks and debris pelted, stinging and burning as the howler picked up speed and raced by. When next he climbed, he did so with speed no dragon could match and a report that made the air tremble. Ferals blocked his escape, gathering tightly together before him. Below there was not enough room to maneuver, and he might soon find himself overwhelmed. He just needed a bit of clear sky to make a good run at them.
    Claws, teeth, scales, and wings were all he could see, and he issued his best battle cry. Applying all his strength, he sent the howler hurtling toward the ferals with even greater speed. Perhaps the dragons had thought he would flinch, but instead they cleared a path for him at the last instant. Jessub Tillerman hooted and hollered after breaking free, allowing himself an instant of jubilation before executing a wide turn. Sweat soaked his clothes, and his goggles pressed back into the flesh around his eyes, his cheeks rippling from the wind resistance.
    His escape had taught him something important: ferals have a healthy sense of self-preservation. Either they were in control or whoever controlled them did not do so with absolute authority. Jessub had seen what that looked like. His survival would depend on proving this hypothesis. It was foolish and risky and exactly what Kenward Trell would do. The last part worried him most.
    With his turn complete, the chaos around the Noonspire was fully