AutumnQuest Read Online Free

how handsome he looked in the impeccable uniform, something in my gut told me that things were very, very wrong. Master Foris’s serious expression when he faced me didn’t make me feel better.
    He gestured me into his office, which I’d never been in before. I looked around at the shelves filled with old books and scrolls. A telescope next to a window was pointed at the sky, a half-played game of Talisman and Queen sat on a sturdy oak table, and where bookshelves didn’t cover the wall, tapestries and masks did. If I hadn’t been so scared, I might not have been able to resist looking around more, but now I couldn’t take my eyes off Master Foris.
    His red master’s robe billowed behind him as he swept around his desk. He sat down and motioned me to do so as well. I dropped down onto a chair facing his desk, glad that I wouldn’t have to try to stand, what with the way my knees were shaking.
    I looked down at my hands folded in my lap, unsure of what I was supposed to do or say. Master Foris cleared his throat.
    “Thank you for coming, Donavah.” His voice was kind and gentle, a deep bass voice a lot like Papa’s. I licked my lips and nodded, then looked up as he said, “I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
    I just nodded again. My heart pounded so hard that he must have felt the vibration himself. I clenched my fists until the knuckles turned white. My mouth went dry, and I didn’t think I’d be able to speak even if Master Foris expected me to. Then, when I thought my head must explode, he finally spoke again.
    “Breyard has been arrested.”

    My son~
    I trust that all is well with you and that your share of our task is well in hand.
    Our “esteemed” leader believes himself to be growing stronger as he and the people fall prey to our deceits. I never weary of concocting some new tale of his terrors to whisper amongst his subjects, though I confess I weary greatly of hearing him crow over his supposed conquest of the kingdom’s heart. It will not be much longer now.
    We have played our Talismans well, and the trap will soon be sprung.
    Convey to me as soon as you can news of your own status. We cannot Secure the Queen’s Heart until we are sure that you have readied all.
    I look forward to the pleasure of seeing you again after all these long years.
    ~Your father

My vision seemed to go black. The pressure that had been building inside me finally burst as I jumped to my feet and shouted, “ NO!”
    Master Foris also rose to his feet. He raised his hands, palms towards me, and slowly lowered them as if he were pressing on my shoulders. I felt a sense of calm come over me, spreading through my chest and up into my brain. Master Foris dipped his head slightly, and I noticed how grey and haggard his face looked, especially in contrast to his bright red hair.
    “Sit, my dear.”
    I took a deep breath and did as he said. He followed suit.
    “I realize you are distressed. But you must believe me when I say that you are scarcely more so than I.”
    “But . . . but . . .” My voice was so tense it practically cracked. I paused a moment to get control of myself. What was all that meditation for if not this kind of situation? I tried to clear my thoughts. Then I spoke as calmly as I could. “What could Breyard possibly have been arrested for?” Of course, I knew the answer but felt some peculiar need to carry out the charade.
    “For stealing a dragon egg,” came the expected reply.
    Another calming breath. “But he doesn’t have any egg. Surely they must have checked his cell and seen that.”
    Master Foris raised his eyebrows. “They did indeed. But I’m sorry to say that the hounds led them straight to Breyard’s room with no assistance on our part at all, and not even I could deny the presence of bits of egg shell on his cot covering and meditation mat.”
    I closed my eyes against the guilt that washed over me. If only I hadn’t told my friends. If only Loreen hadn’t blurted it out to the