Read Online The Amulets (An 'Amulets of Andarrin' tale) by Michael Alexander Card-Mina - Free Book Online Page A

stood at least twenty feet tall and Jack would have bet his life that it would look great from above. Muffled voices signaled that Aaron and Frankie were at the back of the house. Jack followed the house round to the left. A forest grew to within thirty metres of the house and as he made his way round to the back he realised it spread for miles. A beautiful stone bowl sat half way towards the forest edge with a statue of a woman with what appeared to be an eagle on her shoulder. She was holding a shell, water poured from it filling the basin.
     
    Everyone was sat around a big wooden table seemingly in high spirits as they chatted, The only other object in the clearing was a large brown shed which sat at the end of the house with the first trees of the forest overhanging it. Jack could tell it had been there for a while because the paint had faded and some of wood looked rotted. A shiny padlock the size of a book kept people from getting through the stout studded door. Jack couldn’t help but notice the diamond shaped key hole. Before he had time to dwell on it, Aaron called him over.
    “Here he is” he said signaling him to sit down.
    Jack obliged and sat next to him, opposite Frankie and Delaius. A big jug of fresh orange juice sat in the middle of the table.
    “Juice?” Delaius asked.
    Delaius began pouring a glass for him and handed it to him with a grin. Jack glanced down at his clothes, smiling back he muttered “nice trick” as he took the glass from Delaius.
    “Trick?” Delaius countered, though Jack knew he was aware of what he was referring to.
    Jack grabbed his t-shirt, willing Delaius to explain what had happened. Delaius continued his puzzled expression “I don’t do tricks. Drink,” he insisted, “it’s good for you.”
    Aaron and Frankie looked at each other, puzzled by the interchange.
     
    Lily soon returned and it seemed Delaius had been waiting for her because once she sat down he started to speak, concentrating his attention mostly on Jack but also judging the reactions of the others as he spoke.
    “Now I said I would help you deal with your wound and I am a man of my word, but it is up to you whether you want my help. It is the last day of the Fenvairie Festival today and many from all over Nanantharim attend each year. One of….”
    “Nanantharim?” Lily interrupted puzzled.
    “Nanantharim is the world from which I come.”
    They all looked at each other unbelieving. Delaius just smiled and continued.
    “Believe what you will, for now. I will be the crazy man that lives in the countryside talking rubbish, but the truth is I have a friend at this festival that can heal you Jack; she is an expert in all things medical and not just in humans. If we go, we will stay there the night and you can all see the sights and make up your minds as to whether I really am just a crazy old fool. In the morning we will return to your car and you can all go on your way.” He smiled “But of course I cannot make any of you go, so the choice is yours. If not, I can take you to your car” he focused his attention on Jack, “but you will have to keep that scar concealed, no more going out topless.” He said seriously. As he finished speaking, an agitated conversation broke out amongst the group.
    “No I don’t think it’s a good idea, we don’t even know him.” Frankie was saying before turning to Delaius “no offense”
    “I’m not so sure either” Aaron agreed.
    “I say we do it” Lily said, “we’re still supposed to be here till tomorrow anyway and aren’t you a little curious” she said to the three of them. Frankie immediately shook her head to say she wasn’t the least curious.
    “Well yeh, but…” he said thinking and turning to Delaius “how far is it?”
    “It should take us no more than an hour to the festival”
    “What do you think” Aaron said turning to Jack but Jack had already made his decision and told them all confidently what he planned to do.
    “I’m going.