The Seventh Magic (Book 3) Read Online Free

with Jordic, there were ears everywhere. Even once they were in the air, shouting sensitive information between them would be unwise.
    Jordic's request for a wing transfer still came as something of a surprise. The practice had been frowned upon in Onin's day and was all but outlawed. Still, Onin had done it himself in the past, and he believed the talent should be maintained even if not often used. In battle, such skills could mean the difference between life and death. Patting his dragon on the neck, he said, "All right, old boy, behave yourself for once." Jehregard grunted in response. "Just keep straight and level."
    Tanaketh flew in close, overlapping Jehregard's wing with his own. Though crowded by the larger dragon's wingtip, Onin dared not insult the giant oaf. Jordic walked Tanaketh's wing with confidence but stepped down onto Jehregard's hesitantly. Tanaketh wheeled away almost immediately. The change in air pressure pulled Jehregard's wing upward, causing Jordic to stumble.
    When Jordic wormed his way into the small tierre, Onin smiled. He liked this young man more and more. Wing walking took guts.
    "Why'd you do it?" Jordic asked almost immediately.
    "Do what?" Onin asked just to be contrary.
    "You know. Offer to go with me--or in my stead--depending on how you look at it."
    Onin shrugged. "Our lord chancellor may have some strong points, but dealing with the Midlands is not among them. Diplomacy in general seems to be a problem."
    Jordic smiled at this statement. Such conversations were unusual. They had been trained to take orders not ask questions. Onin had always had difficulty with that. In Jordic, he saw himself.
    "We can't just ask them to send us all their resources when they are surely also preparing for war," Jordic said.
    Onin nodded. "That is the reason."
    "Is it the only reason?"
    "I don't like smoke."
    That made Jordic laugh. "I think we need to reinforce relations with the Midlands," he said after a moment, his voice once again serious. "They have things we need, and we have things they need. When we work together, like during the Jaga War, we are all stronger."
    "I agree," Onin said. "The problem is that the lord chancellor understands neither our strengths nor our weaknesses. He views the Midlands as a threat to his absolute power."
    "But you know that's not the case," Jordic said with passion.
    "I do. But I'm probably not the person you want to quote to get his chancellorship's approval."
    "Not even Sensi can convince him of this," Jordic said.
    Onin had his own issues with Sensi, but at least the man had tried.
    "So how do you plan to fix this?" Jordic asked.
    Again, Onin shrugged. "At least we're not breathing in smoke." Jehregard trumpeted his agreement.
    "They say you're crazy."
    Onin nodded.
    "I say it's hard to tell the difference between bravery and lunacy," Jordic continued. "You’re a good man, Onin of the Old Guard, even if you don't want to admit it."
    "You, too, are a good man, Jordic of Kern. Though, I must admit, I've been trying to think of what I'll say to your parents if you don't survive the wing walk back."
    Jordic took the hint and summoned Tanaketh. The big dragon moved in fast, once again crowding Onin with his wingtip, flaunting his size. Jehregard must not have taken kindly to this. As soon as Jordic grabbed Tanaketh's wing, Jehregard dived, leaving Jordic hanging.
    "He was a brave kid," Onin ruminated out loud, Jordic's cursing in the background as he pulled himself up. "A little slow . . . but a good kid."
     
    * * *
     
    Allette Kilbor knew nothing. She shared memories with the most powerful person on the planet, along with her own life experience, but nothing prepared her for this. Slipping through the keystones had been risky once she'd cracked them but had seemed safer than remaining in the cavern with Mael. Knowing she had destroyed his way out, she doubted he would have shown her any mercy. Seeing the Jaga through the fractured keystone, she'd thought fate