Realm Of Blood And Fire (Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

Arie’s waist. When they were safely gliding toward the ocean, Arie spoke into Astra’s mind. Will the Zamahlans help us ?
    I have no idea. It depends who’s in power. I haven’t had much contact with anyone from Zamahl since I left. If it’s Ruler Pemel, we are more likely to, but if High Chancellor Calinsar has managed to get his grubby hands on the leadership, we’re in trouble. We may not come home at all; I’m considered a deserter. No one is allowed to leave Zamahl.
    What! That’s just wrong. And what do they do to deserters ?
    Astra’s strained laugh was more of a snort. Imprisonment and death.
    Arie considered her words, the exhilaration of being back in the air forgotten. If only the wishes of a twelve-year-old could save the world, he thought.
    Vowing to go down fighting, as Boy had, Arie took a moment to remember his friend while Zim flew them into the unknown.
     

 
     
    Chapter 4
     
     
    Arcon and his party had left The Isle of the Dead Souls the morning after Bronwyn and Blayke had completed their second activation of the amulets. Unfortunately, for Arcon, they were traveling by boat—not his preferred mode of transport.
    Although they were finally near the mainland , Arcon wouldn’t be happy until he had immovable earth under his feet. The realmist leant over the railing and vomited into the water.
    Avruellen, in a freshly laundered white shirt and black fitted pants, watched her brother from a few feet away, her fox Flux sitting by her feet.
    Why don’t you go and comfort him? her creatura asked.
    Don’t be ridiculous, Flux. I don’t want to risk a face full of windswept sick. Why don’t you go and comfort him?
    I’m not his sister or his creatura. It’s not my job. Where is Phantom, anyway? The fox looked up and saw the owl perched on the tree-trunk-sized boom holding the mainsail. Hey, stop preening yourself and help Arcon. Flux’s tongue lolled out in the semblance of a grin.
    There’s nothing I can do for him. He knows I’m here, caring from afar.
    Arcon looked up, his blue eyes like sunken pebbles wallowing in the algae-green depths of his skin. “I appreciate everyone’s concern and will be sure to remember to return the favor next time one of you needs my help. Now, if you’ll excuse me….”
    Arcon retched, a force of sound that had Flux turning his head away. Avruellen put her hands over her ears to block the noise as Arcon’s breakfast vigorously disavowed itself of a place in his stomach, each weighty plop bringing fish to the surface to share in his reluctant generosity.
    The fish followed them for the next ten minutes, nibbling at the trail of Arcon’s half-digested food, until the boat pulled up alongside the wharf at Carpus, which was eerily empty. Bronwyn, Blayke, Avruellen, the creaturas, Corrille, and Toran, the new recruit from The Isle of the Dead Souls, stood on the deck, wary in the unusual silence. Even though Arcon was hunched over, he opened his mind to the Second Realm and drew power, just in case. Avruellen sensed the subtle pressure change and reached for her own power.
    Grabbing ropes and dropping sails, the crew jostled past and bumped into the realmists, brushing them aside, as they moved to lay out the gangplank. Arcon, ignoring the heaviness in the air that screamed trouble, disembarked with the longest, fastest strides he could manage and swore never to get on a boat again.
    Flux, now standing next to Avruellen on the dock, waiting for the bags to be unloaded, sniffed the air. He picked out three scents, none of them welcoming. Av, I smell carrion, fresh blood, and something else I’ve never smelled before. It’s like a stagnant swamp mixed with sulfur. My fur is standing on end. I don’t like it. We need to be very careful.
    “Okay, Flux.” Avruellen turned to her companions. “Everyone, Flux has just given me some news. We need to tread very carefully on our way to the inn. We’re going to get our horses and leave as quickly as possible.