Perilous Travels (The Southern Continent Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

here.
    "Prince Grael is staging a coup.   He's taking prisoners now while they're all gathered together at the Ball.  We can go take care of Grace," Eli spoke over his shoulder as he began running through a narrow servants' passage.
    Grange rushed to keep up, focusing only on following Eli until the passage abruptly opened into a large chamber where Grange suddenly found himself and Eli surrounded by a score of armed men wearing the red sash upon their arms.
    "Let me handle this," Eli said calmly.  He began to recite an incantation, and Grange stood with his sword held ready,  absently trying to translate the words that Eli spoke.
    "Gadewch I might os gwelwch yn deal yn ei and rheoli...," the words were rolling off Eli's tongue.
    Eli would control his subject like a servant, Grange slowly translated the words while keeping an eye on the armed men around them.
    He suddenly felt his limbs seized and he saw the misty tendrils of the Power gather and wrap around his own body.  His fingers stiffened, and his enchanted blue sword clattered to the floor.
    "Eli!" Grange shouted, "there's a problem!"
    "Not for much longer," Eli turned and sneered at him.  "Let’s go on stage," he waved to the armsmen around them.
    Betrayal!   The jewels shouted in his ears.  Eli pointed his finger back at Grange and crooked it, causing Grange to involuntarily start walking after the apprentice wizards.
    "Help me!" Grange shouted at the jewels as he emerged on the stage.
    We are powerless against the use of the power by these means , the jewels answered.
    "There's no one to help you now," one of the red-handed ruffians cackled as he roughly shoved Grange to the floor of the stage,  not far from where Grace, Bartar,  Princess Aubrey,  and a handful of other prisoners lay, bound and gagged. 
    You can use the power to save yourself and set us free.  Call the energy to help you! The jewels urgently advised.
    "But I can't make it work for me.  I can't speak to the energy the right way," Grange answered.
    Call the power; imagine you're talking to us, the jewels practically shrieked.  Use that same tone of respectful partnership.
    He had to do it.  He saw Prince Grael hold a sword and walk towards the prisoners with a grim smile.  Maurin walked a step behind him, a look of smug satisfaction on his face as well.
    "Os gwelwch yn dda gosod fi am ddim a bod yn gynghreiriad pwer fy ysbryd mawr i!" he spoke aloud, imagining that he was talking to Ariana once again.  It was an act filled with the greatest longing and the greatest desire his soul possessed.
    As the words left his mouth, three things happened simultaneously.
    Prince Grael began to speak.   "Tonight, as the new season begins,  we begin a new chapter in the story of Palmland!" he started his speech as he raised his sword over Bartar.
    As he did, Brielle suddenly appeared from nowhere and leapt up onto the stage, making an extraordinary jump from the dance floor below.   She held a sword in one hand and a throwing knife in the other.   She aimed the knife at Maurin and released it with a smooth throwing motion, then ran towards Grange even as her weapon struck Maurin in the chest with a sickening sound.
    "Grange, my lord, are you alright?" she shouted.
    And at the same time, the energy that constrained Grange released him, and a distant voice echoed hollowly in his soul. 
    "Pa wasanaeth ydych chi'n ei geisio, meistr?" the energy sought direction from him, even as it lifted him to his feet and glowed majestically around him in an astonishing aura.  And the enchanted blue sword suddenly came flying out of the off-stage chamber where he had dropped it, and flew to him, nestling into his grip.
    He felt the infusion of power, the capacity that the energy offered.  It was astonishing and invigorating.   He looked around at the dramatic scenario that surrounded him, and considered what to do.
    "You haven't been able to do anything with the power!" Eli exclaimed with disbelief as