Read Online The Last Stand of Daronwy by Clint Talbert - Free Book Online

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    In the courtyard, Lightningbolt wrapped each of the people in his mind, working the words of his folding spell about them as they ran through the wake left by Eaglewing. Magic fire trailed along the ground on every side of the knot of frenzied villagers. Lightningbolt could feel their fear as they ran, frightened of the fire and terrified of the swarming fury of blades that charged from every direction.
    The wizard sent a bolt of electricity forward, spiraling it through the plaza. The fortress blurred as he and the villagers were swept into his folding spell. The bolt of lightning pulled them forward and soon they were through the gatehouse, down the road. The trees swept by, following the path created in Lightningbolt’s mind.
    The hair stood on Eaglewing’s neck as the rush of Lightningbolt’s spell swept through the gatehouse. Thunder followed in the wake of the folding spell, shaking the ancient foundation of the tower. Ogres that had just gained the gatehouse stumbled over each other, stunned by the noise. Eaglewing fought them back, sending them tumbling into the others rushing up behind them. He ran to the top of the wall.
    Half-wild dragons snapped and grumbled at their would-be jockeys as the novice riders tried to prepare a chase. Eaglewing sliced through one rider, then dodged the ungrateful snap from the dragon. Eaglewing used his mind to call out to the beast, promising her freedom if she would fly him from there. The dragon called to the rest of her horde and flapped her leathery wings as Eaglewing scrambled onto her back. In three wing beats, the desperate shots of archers fell short of their target, and a rampage of seven dragons flew from the wall in a triangular wedge.
    Brother, where are you? asked Lightningbolt.
    I’ll be at southern cliffs of Hasa soon. How is Mayflure? How are the others?
    Good and good. We are in the village of Anasatin .
    â€œLet’s play that I flew the dragon to you.” Jeremy ran through the dense trails on the left side of the pond, Daniel at his side. He came to the village quickly.
    â€œLet’s say that the Midnight Wizard met us here when you landed.”
    â€œOkay, but I’m kneeling next to Mayflure. She’s barely conscious.”
    â€œEaglewing,” the old wizard said, bowing his head. He knelt next to Mayflure, extending his hands.
    â€œMidnight, will she be all right?”
    For a long moment, the old wizard did not answer. When his eyes focused, he spoke. “I will take her back with me using the cloth. She has some broken bones, she’s half starved, but she’ll be all right.” His smile was not reassuring. Eaglewing clasped her hand. The old wizard glanced from him to his brother. “What did the two of you find?”
    â€œI think they were trying to raise the eight demons to open the portal; Dan’kir’s curse.”
    The old wizard scratched his chin, coaxing at the scraggly white beard that grew there. “Not even Kronshar himself could control that portal. He knows that. I think they sought merely to raise one of the demons to discover the whereabouts of the Stones. If they were to open the portal, they would need more than four selurks.”
    â€œDo the Elders still doubt that he is after the Stones?”
    The wizard scratched his beard and eyed the warrior. “The Elders are angry. Best you stay away from Hrad’din for a while.”
    â€œWe did what was right,” Eaglewing said.
    â€œIt is a fine line you walk between doing what is right and treason. Be careful.”
    â€œBut we rescued these people, and Mayflure.”
    The old wizard said nothing for a moment. “We need to find the Stones. Take my dragon, go to the library of Tarakyn. Try to determine where the remaining Stones are. I’m afraid we’re already out of time. I’ll speak to the Elders for you.”
    Eaglewing stared at Mayflure, trying to hold her eyes, but they remained