Read Online The Adventures of Benjamin Skyhammer by Nicole Sheldrake - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Nicole Sheldrake
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult
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Polygon glared at Skyhammer, who shook his head.
"It didn't stop there unfortunately." Polygon cast a spell to warm her wine. "The Sorcerer has begun changing other humans' Retrographs."
"He changed mine," Skyhammer said. "Turned over my drawings as well."
"That's what's been done to everyone's Retrographs," Polygon continued. "The Sorcerer is only focusing on the drawings."
Higgins spoke up. "Turning them over is like trying to get rid of them."
"That's what we think. And we guess the Sorcerer is a human, which makes trouble for us with the other species." The King slid a half-eaten piece of cheese around his plate. "We're at peace with most of the other species. And the ceremony requires all our cooperation. The Byndari have talked to the other Royals and obtained their agreement, even the Nasuchu."
"The Nasuchu?" Higgins sniffed. "I guess Byndari aren't exactly palatable to those cannibals."
"Also," the King's Wizard continued, "Floatilla is bursting at the seams. Overcrowding is increasing the spread of disease-"
"It will give us a chance to seize resources from nearby countries," the King added, eyes gleaming.
Uh oh, Skyhammer thought. He didn't need to look at Higgins' face.
"You're planning to invade our neighbours? After cooperating for the ceremony?" A flash of anger then disgust crossed Higgins' face before she could control herself. "I apologize, your Majesty," she said, sitting back into her chair. "Your decisions are not up for discussion." She stared down at the table.
"Quite so, Lady Higgins." The King's face was stern. "Apology accepted. Conditions are deteriorating inside Floatilla and as King, our first duty is to our people. But as you can understand, this relates to the Retrograph Sorcerer's next move. If the Sorcerer is a member of one of the races from whom we are planning to appropriate land, our plans could be foiled if our Retrographs reveal them. But we cannot invade if the ceremony does not happen. What if the Sorcerer can modify the Kingmaker Towers in the same way he or she can alter our Retrographs?"
"I had a thought earlier," Skyhammer said. "If the Sorcerer is planning on sabotaging the ceremony, then maybe he or she doesn't need planet-wide magic. Perhaps they can already do magic outside the Royal Circle." He stiffened in alarm as three guards burst through the door. Two of them took up a position by the wall, the other approached the King.
"Your Majesty, the group outside is growing. No spells have been cast, yet but we fear it may happen soon. If it continues to grow at the current rate, we may have a mob attack on our hands."
The King glared at Skyhammer. "You'd better not be more trouble than you're worth." He turned back to the guard. "Keep us informed. If they attack, you have our permission to defend with whatever force necessary."
The guard left.
"So you see, Skyhammer and Lady Higgins." The King clasped his hands over his belly. "We have an unknown element in this Sorcerer. Extraordinarily powerful, arrogant enough to threaten us through our Retrographs-"
"What did you bring us here for, your Majesty?" Skyhammer couldn't wait any longer.
"Isn't it obvious?" Polygon snorted in derision. "If the Sorcerer is changing our Retrographs, then they could be inside the Retrograph Vault. And since you are the only one who can get in the Vault . . ."
Skyhammer nodded. It made sense.
A shadow blanketed the room. Every head swivelled toward the balcony doors.
A cloud of humans on flying carpets blocked the light from outside. They hovered about fifty feet away from the balcony but close enough that Skyhammer could see the fury and hatred in their faces. They disappeared behind a wall of light, spells exploding against the Palace's shield.
Skyhammer leapt to his feet. He had no way to fight these people, no magic powers. They had the Palace surrounded and there was no escape. He looked over at Higgins, desperate. Inside him, anger surged at how useless he was, at his
"It didn't stop there unfortunately." Polygon cast a spell to warm her wine. "The Sorcerer has begun changing other humans' Retrographs."
"He changed mine," Skyhammer said. "Turned over my drawings as well."
"That's what's been done to everyone's Retrographs," Polygon continued. "The Sorcerer is only focusing on the drawings."
Higgins spoke up. "Turning them over is like trying to get rid of them."
"That's what we think. And we guess the Sorcerer is a human, which makes trouble for us with the other species." The King slid a half-eaten piece of cheese around his plate. "We're at peace with most of the other species. And the ceremony requires all our cooperation. The Byndari have talked to the other Royals and obtained their agreement, even the Nasuchu."
"The Nasuchu?" Higgins sniffed. "I guess Byndari aren't exactly palatable to those cannibals."
"Also," the King's Wizard continued, "Floatilla is bursting at the seams. Overcrowding is increasing the spread of disease-"
"It will give us a chance to seize resources from nearby countries," the King added, eyes gleaming.
Uh oh, Skyhammer thought. He didn't need to look at Higgins' face.
"You're planning to invade our neighbours? After cooperating for the ceremony?" A flash of anger then disgust crossed Higgins' face before she could control herself. "I apologize, your Majesty," she said, sitting back into her chair. "Your decisions are not up for discussion." She stared down at the table.
"Quite so, Lady Higgins." The King's face was stern. "Apology accepted. Conditions are deteriorating inside Floatilla and as King, our first duty is to our people. But as you can understand, this relates to the Retrograph Sorcerer's next move. If the Sorcerer is a member of one of the races from whom we are planning to appropriate land, our plans could be foiled if our Retrographs reveal them. But we cannot invade if the ceremony does not happen. What if the Sorcerer can modify the Kingmaker Towers in the same way he or she can alter our Retrographs?"
"I had a thought earlier," Skyhammer said. "If the Sorcerer is planning on sabotaging the ceremony, then maybe he or she doesn't need planet-wide magic. Perhaps they can already do magic outside the Royal Circle." He stiffened in alarm as three guards burst through the door. Two of them took up a position by the wall, the other approached the King.
"Your Majesty, the group outside is growing. No spells have been cast, yet but we fear it may happen soon. If it continues to grow at the current rate, we may have a mob attack on our hands."
The King glared at Skyhammer. "You'd better not be more trouble than you're worth." He turned back to the guard. "Keep us informed. If they attack, you have our permission to defend with whatever force necessary."
The guard left.
"So you see, Skyhammer and Lady Higgins." The King clasped his hands over his belly. "We have an unknown element in this Sorcerer. Extraordinarily powerful, arrogant enough to threaten us through our Retrographs-"
"What did you bring us here for, your Majesty?" Skyhammer couldn't wait any longer.
"Isn't it obvious?" Polygon snorted in derision. "If the Sorcerer is changing our Retrographs, then they could be inside the Retrograph Vault. And since you are the only one who can get in the Vault . . ."
Skyhammer nodded. It made sense.
A shadow blanketed the room. Every head swivelled toward the balcony doors.
A cloud of humans on flying carpets blocked the light from outside. They hovered about fifty feet away from the balcony but close enough that Skyhammer could see the fury and hatred in their faces. They disappeared behind a wall of light, spells exploding against the Palace's shield.
Skyhammer leapt to his feet. He had no way to fight these people, no magic powers. They had the Palace surrounded and there was no escape. He looked over at Higgins, desperate. Inside him, anger surged at how useless he was, at his
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