Read Online The Search for Truth by Kaza Kingsley - Free Book Online Page A

he drew the next quest from Al’s Well. The last one had thrown him into a battle where he’d almost died and had lost Aoquesth. Then, just as that seemed overwhelming enough, he would start to think about the bees disappearing, Substance leaking out of Upper Earth, and the normal world turning into a Nevervarld death zonewhere nothing could live. How long before that would happen? Centuries? Decades? Years?
    Then, right when he was sure his head would explode, images of the Novikov Time Bender would pop again into his mind. Now that was one cool device. Imagine, to be able to go back in time like that. Where would he go?
    Then an idea hit him. Maybe he could go back and save Aoquesth. It seemed like Homer, the golden ghost, might actually let him use it. Didn’t he say that he helped people who were “right in their motives”?
    Well, nothing was more right than Erec going back to save Aoquesth’s life. That dragon had given up everything for him. The only problem was that Erec had no idea how to do it, even if he could go back to that battle where Aoquesth had lost his life. Baskania’s death blade had been coming right for Erec. If Aoquesth hadn’t stepped in and intercepted it, Erec would have died. It seemed it was either Aoquesth or him.
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    Erec, Bethany, Jack, and Oscar met in Paisley Park at ten o’clock in the morning. Bethany and Jack took the day off from their tutors.
    â€œAll right, guys,” Jack said. “Erec is drawing his quest tonight at seven. We need to figure out a plan in case there are problems. I agree with Erec. Erida’s invitation sounded a little too cheerful. What was that? ‘Pleased, excited’…?”
    Erec smirked. “‘Pleased, Inspired, Pleasantly-surprised Service.’ And when she flew away she said, ‘So long, sucker.’ Kinda makes you wonder.”
    â€œI know,” Oscar said. “I’ll pose as you. I’ll find someone who can change my looks. Then if anything happens, they’ll have the wrong guy.”
    Erec felt touched that Oscar was willing to protect him. He really was a good friend. “No way, Oscar,” he said. “I can’t let you risk yourlife like that. You know what would happen if they captured you?” He shook his head. “Plus, you wouldn’t be able to draw the quest, even if you did look like me. It won’t work for anybody else.”
    Bethany stared at the ground, not saying anything. Erec looked at her questioningly. She shrugged. “I’m kind of all mixed-up about all this.”
    Erec was too. It was hard to charge into something that felt like a setup.
    â€œI mean, I know you have to get the quest,” she said. “I just wish there were another way. It’s obvious that Baskania expects you to go there. Maybe he’s planning on…” Her words hung in the air. It seemed obvious what Baskania planned to do to Erec when he caught him. Take his eyes out and then kill him.
    Jack’s jaw dropped. “I have an idea. No clue if it will work, but it’s worth a try. Oscar, come with me. We’ll meet you back here in two hours.”
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    Erec and Bethany brought a lunch basket, packed by Jam, back to Paisley Park to wait for Oscar and Jack. Of course, given Jam’s expertise, it had everything they could want. Egg salad, tuna, and turkey sandwiches sat atop cut fruits, snack bars, cheese and cracker stacks perfectly lined up, and bags of fresh, homemade brownies, cookies, and cake slices. And, even though it was healthy, there was not a crumb of cloud loaf in sight.
    As they munched sandwiches and popped bites of honeycomb, spun sugar birds nests, and divinity, Bethany kept starting to talk, then stopping. “I mean—” She looked frustrated, sighing.
    â€œIs something wrong?” Erec finally asked.
    Bethany nodded, blushing. “I don’t want you to go.”
    Erec twisted to look at her.