Epos the Winged Flame Read Online Free

magical light. As he watched, Epos plunged down into the volcano — only to burst back out seconds later in a torrent of flames and boiling lava. The lava seared a burning path down the side of the volcano, slowly pooling into the bubbling moat at the base. The village was now completely covered in the molten rock.
    “If Epos keeps stoking the volcano like that, the eruption will be massive,” said Tom. “The lava could even reach the royal city.”
    Elenna looked pale. “King Hugo could end up buried in his own palace!”
    “It would leave the whole kingdom in chaos,” Tom said gravely. “Exactly what Malvel wants.”
    “Tom, look!” shouted Elenna, pointing into the sky. “I think Epos has spotted us!”
    Tom felt a stab of fear as Epos’s screech tore through the smoky air. Grabbing his sword, he locked eyes with the hate-filled Beast. The Winged Flame made a wide circle in the dark sky, slicing through the thick smoke like a lightning bolt. Then, with terrible speed, the giant bird dove straight toward Tom and Elenna!

C HAPTER S IX

T HE M OAT OF F IRE
    T OM LEAPED DOWN FROM STORM, SWUNG HIS shield from his shoulder, and drew his sword as the shadow of the Beast fell over them. Tom looked up, desperately trying to spot the enchanted collar Malvel had placed on the bird. Epos was moving so quickly it was hard to be sure, but Tom thought he caught a glimpse of a golden glimmer around the bird’s neck.
    With a battle cry, he lunged upward, his sword held high above his head. If he could just grab the enchanted band …
    But Epos’s deadly talons knocked the blade fromhis hand and sent it flying through the air. Storm reared up and kicked the air as the flame bird swept overhead, sparks of fire peppering the air in her wake. Silver barked ferociously, baring his teeth.
    In panic, Tom looked around for his sword. It must have fallen in the bushes behind him. He would never find it in time to defend against another attack!
    But then he saw what Elenna was doing. She had climbed down from Storm and pulled her bow from one of his saddlebags. Then she raised her weapon and took careful aim.
    Whoosh!
As Epos swooped down, Elenna shot an arrow. The Beast screeched and turned nimbly to avoid it. Quickly, Elenna sent another arrow after the first. It whistled past the creature’s head. The Beast’s eyes burned crimson with rage, then she turned and soared away, spiraling up throughthe thick smoke toward the mouth of the volcano.
    “Elenna, you did it!” Tom yelled. “You drove her away!”
    Silver barked behind them. He had pulled Tom’s sword from the bushes with his teeth. Tom patted the wolf and picked up his weapon.
    “How are we ever going to cross that lava to climb the volcano?” Elenna wondered.
“We’re
not,” said Tom. “But I am.” She frowned. “Alone?”
    He picked up his shield. “This protects me from fire — and after the battle with Tagus the Night Horse, it can also help me reach amazing speeds. I can use it as a raft and skim across the surface of the lava.”
    Elenna’s frown deepened. “But, Tom, if you fall in —”
    “There’s no other way,” Tom insisted. “Andthere’s no room to take anyone else. I’ll stand my best chance of defeating Epos in the heart of her territory, at the top of the volcano. But she might try to attack me as I climb. If she does, I’ll need you to drive her off again with those arrows.”
    “I won’t let you down.” Elenna’s eyes narrowed with determination.
    Fear, excitement, and anticipation were all jumbled up inside Tom. But he knew one thing for sure — the greatest trial of his life was approaching.
    He hugged Elenna. Storm pushed Tom’s arm with his nose, then blew gently on his hair. Tom smiled and stroked his horse’s neck. Then he crouched down to say good-bye to Silver. The sleek gray wolf licked his hand and gazed up at him intently.
    Tom looked at his friends with a mixture of pride and sorrow. They had all grown so close on