Read Online Island of Darkness by Richard S. Tuttle - Free Book Online

magical spell. She followed the magician to the rear of the school and slid through the door. Several students looked up as she entered, but they immediately returned to their studies. Temiker led her directly to the kitchen.
    “Eat what you want,” offered Temiker. “I will guide the Sakovans to the Imperial Guard and return to talk to you. Remember your promise.”
    “I will,” sighed Mistake as she wondered where she could possibly go now that she had fled the Sakova.
    Temiker left the kitchen and entered the dining room where the Sakovans were sitting. He waited patiently as the last of them finished eating. When they were done, Temiker walked them to the wagons. He climbed up onto the seat of the first wagon and gave directions to SpringThaw. Within minutes the caravan was parked in front of the headquarters of the Imperial Guard in Alamar. People looked curiously as SpringThaw and Temiker climbed off the wagon and entered the building.
    Temiker led SpringThaw across the floor of the large foyer in the headquarters. A long oval counter sat in the middle of the room, and Temiker marched straight towards it.
    “We would like to see General Manitow,” Temiker announced to one of the Imperial Guards behind the counter, his voice echoing loudly throughout the room.
    The Imperial Guard looked up with an air of annoyance. He looked briefly at Temiker, but his eyes lingered on SpringThaw.
    “Who are you, and what do you want with the general?” asked the Imperial Guard.
    “Surely you recognize me,” Temiker retorted. “My friend is an emissary from Sakova.”
    There were a half dozen Imperial Guards behind the counter, and a dozen more traversing the room from one corridor to the next. They all stopped and stared at SpringThaw as if a murder had just been committed in the foyer.
    “A Sakovan?” echoed the Imperial Guard with a hint of condemnation in his voice. “What is she doing here?”
    “She is delivering three wagons of food for the people of Alamar,” declared Temiker. “Will you summon the general please?”
    The room burst into motion. Two Imperial Guards who had been leaving a corridor immediately turned and ran back through the archway. A half dozen other Imperial Guards crowded around the front door of the building, peering at the caravan parked out front. Barely a minute had passed when a tall gray-haired officer strode through one of the archways and approached Temiker and SpringThaw.
    “I am General Manitow,” he announced. “What is going on here?”
    Temiker smiled and stepped back so that SpringThaw was left facing the general on her own. The Sakovan inhaled deeply before speaking.
    “I am SpringThaw,” the Sakovan declared. “I have been sent to Alamar by the Star of Sakova. We have brought three wagons of watula for the people of Alamar.”
    “How much?” General Manitow asked sharply.
    “There is no charge for the food,” replied SpringThaw. “It is a gift from the Sakovans to their peaceful Omungan neighbors. I have come to you for help in distributing it properly. I do not wish to cause havoc in your streets.”
    “Is this some Sakovan trick?” questioned the general. “Why would the Sakovans send food to us?”
    “Your people are starving,” answered SpringThaw. “We have a surplus. Is that not what neighbors do in times of need?”
    “Not in my lifetime,” frowned the general. “You say that there is no cost to us for this food, but I am curious what the Sakovans hope to gain from this gesture.”
    “Peace,” smiled SpringThaw. “Peace between our peoples, and good health for the people of Alamar. We would like to make regular shipments to your city. Can we discuss this while your men arrange to distribute the food?”
    “Regular shipments?” echoed General Manitow. “Do you mean that the Sakovans are willing to send more food to us without cost?”
    “That is exactly what I mean,” SpringThaw smiled as she nodded.
    “Let me inspect your cargo,” stated the