Read Online Dragon Airways by Brian Rathbone - Free Book Online Page B

him, she had not expected open contempt. Always before she'd held his favor by leading him to fantastic stashes of magical items. Now fewer things remained to be found, and he'd caught on to her turning a single discovery into many smaller ones. Other collections of ancient artifacts were hidden on the Firstland and elsewhere, but Casta Mett had seen how devastating some of those items could be. No matter her ambitions, she did not want anything capable of destroying the world falling into Argus Kind's hands. He was just the kind of egomaniac to destroy the world because he couldn't have everything he wanted.
    "Perhaps we should deploy the magic we've already found and put an end to the dragons once and for all," Casta said, despite knowing it was a dangerous subject. It would solve their biggest problem.
    Argus Kind looked at her as if she were the greatest fool of all. "We've nearly won the war without using a single magical attack. We've fought fairly, while keeping our greatest weapons in reserve." The madman smiled at her, oozing vileness. "There is only so much magic remaining in this world, you fool. The ancients left us the smallest scraps, and you would have me squander them. When the magic is gone, it's gone. Human life is cheap in comparison."
    "Should we dispose of the kid, then?" Agger asked, still gripping the frightened boy's shoulder.
    "Not yet," Argus said, and he held the boy in his dark, piercing gaze. The boy shrank before him. "What's your name?"
    "Destin Brightwood," the boy answered in little more than a whisper.
    "I'm going to ask you a simple question. Don't lie to me, now."
    Destin shook his head emphatically.
    "Who is the strangest kid at school?"
    The boy cocked his head in confusion.
    "Someone who sees things others don't or hears things others don't or talks about magic?"
    "The strangest kid at school is Aric Brilhelm. He eats glue."
    The gathered Al'Zjhon withered under the king's gaze. Casta had not overlooked Deacon Rex's absence. She almost missed his greasy smile. Almost.
    Argus turned to Agger and nodded but stopped when the child spoke. "The weirdest kid in town don't go to school, though. He got in too much trouble."
    "What's his name?" Argus Kind asked, his voice almost laughably sweet. If the boy knew how many deaths this man was responsible for, he might have fainted.
    "Emmet Pickette," the boy said. "He lives in Quarter Yard, in the residential district."
    Agger and Grunt exchanged a glance, neither smart enough to know they were being read. Casta shook her head, ashamed these men were called Al'Zjhon. It lessened the honor.
    "He said there was magic in the old library and got caught snooping around."
    These words might as well have been a whistle.
    Argus sat rigid in his chair. "You had this boy and lost him, didn't you?"
    "We never actually had him, Your Highness," Agger said.
    Argus rubbed his temples.
    "We did chase after him, but we . . . uh . . . lost him."
    Everyone knew better than to mention certain things around Argus Kind, and the man had a keen sense for when someone was intentionally avoiding saying something.
    "How did he get away?" Argus asked, his voice deceptively calm.
    Casta worried someone might not leave this meeting alive. There was a chance it would be her.
    "By dragon," Agger said, keeping his eyes down.
    Howling with rage, Argus Kind unstrapped his mighty axe. In a single, fluid motion, he hefted it and hurled it at Agger's head. The man ducked just in time to avoid decapitation; the wooden bench behind him did not fare so well.
    "I'm sorry, Your Highness," Agger said. Casta had to admit the man had guts. He pulled the axe free and returned it to his king, handle first.
    Argus was silent for a long moment. When he did speak, his voice was like rock on stone. "Casta Mett, you will track down this Emmet Pickette and bring him to me."
    Already, plans formed in her mind.
    "Agger, you and Grunt go along with her and make sure she doesn't kill the kid. If she