Read Online The Seventh Magic (Book 3) by Brian Rathbone - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Brian Rathbone
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and a correct material for every purpose. Remember, sailing is the fun part. Building the ships that make sailing fun is the hard part."
Kenward knew the truth of her words. He'd yet to build a proper airship, but he'd not yet had the materials needed. "Good luck finding all those things in one place."
Nora Trell smiled.
* * *
Behind the small cabin, across a narrow ravine with a moss- and mushroom-covered bridge of hewn logs, Fasha led Kenward toward the place his mother said had everything he needed. Occasional echoes filled the valley, much of it obscured by a noisy creek filled with a series of waterfalls. The smell of fires came to his nostrils as the wind blew toward the cabin where his mother and the others waited. While she could have made the climb with them, her time was far better spent caring for Farsy and Bryn; at least that was what she said.
Scrabbling up a ravine to the ridgetop, Fasha stood triumphant. Barely a step behind her, Kenward stumbled when he saw what lay beyond. A vast lowland plain made the perfect staging area and dry dock, already partially constructed. Shipbuilders, carpenters, smiths, and foresters numbering in the hundreds made the landscape move. These people knew what they were doing.
"You've seen the future, my brother," Fasha said. "We've seen what you can do on your own. Now let's see what you can do with the full force of the Trell family behind you."
Few times in his life had his sister rendered him speechless, but this time she utterly succeeded. The Dragon's Wing resting in a dry dock that took up just a fraction of the size of the entire operation helped Kenward understand the scale at which his mother and sister were thinking. Surely they were just as crazy as he. They had simply hidden it better. "They're going to be huge!" he said.
Fasha grinned.
"How long have you known?"
"Mom and I have been working on this for a while," Fasha admitted. "We didn't always know it would be airships we'd be building, but it did seem likely since the Eel and the Dragon's Wing had both flown when they had not been designed to do so. Purpose-built flying ships were the likely evolution, which you've proven in your own spectacular fashion."
"Thanks, Sis."
"Don't thank me. I'm just going to use this opportunity to kick your tail with all things equal. No excuses. Fair's fair. Deal?"
"You’re on," Kenward said, grinning back. "What're the stakes?"
"Knowing you? Our lives."
Kenward barked a laugh.
"First, though, I think you'd be wise to fix Onin's tierre."
His sister made good sense, but while he had her alone, he had to ask one more question. "Have you seen any walnuts?"
Suspicious, she replied, "No. Why? What do you needs walnuts for?"
"Nothing," Kenward said. "I just like walnuts."
"Uh-huh," Fasha said, walking back toward the cabin.
"Have you seen any bats?"
Fasha turned and regarded him with one of those looks. "What are you up to?"
"Oh, nothing."
Chapter 6
To see the power and majesty of creation, look to the skies. To experience that same power and majesty, look inside.
--Catrin Volker, Herald of Istra
* * *
Many gathered to see Sinjin, Kendra, Strom, and Osbourne off. Most did not want them to leave but understood nonetheless. Durin's hands trembled when loading extra water skins and rations into the saddlebags, but already he'd grown stronger. Still, Sinjin hated leaving him behind, especially when so much work needed to be done. Matters of survival had fallen by the wayside. There would come a point he'd have to make extremely difficult decisions.
Arakhan and Mikala approached. They would be in charge of the Drakon in his and Kendra's absence, the strength he could not be for his people. Both deserved to be Al'Drakon more than he, but that choice had been left to Valterius. Sinjin often wondered if the dragon had made a mistake. Sometimes he thought Al'Drak might wonder as well. Arakhan checked Strom's straps, where he was secured behind Kendra, and
Kenward knew the truth of her words. He'd yet to build a proper airship, but he'd not yet had the materials needed. "Good luck finding all those things in one place."
Nora Trell smiled.
* * *
Behind the small cabin, across a narrow ravine with a moss- and mushroom-covered bridge of hewn logs, Fasha led Kenward toward the place his mother said had everything he needed. Occasional echoes filled the valley, much of it obscured by a noisy creek filled with a series of waterfalls. The smell of fires came to his nostrils as the wind blew toward the cabin where his mother and the others waited. While she could have made the climb with them, her time was far better spent caring for Farsy and Bryn; at least that was what she said.
Scrabbling up a ravine to the ridgetop, Fasha stood triumphant. Barely a step behind her, Kenward stumbled when he saw what lay beyond. A vast lowland plain made the perfect staging area and dry dock, already partially constructed. Shipbuilders, carpenters, smiths, and foresters numbering in the hundreds made the landscape move. These people knew what they were doing.
"You've seen the future, my brother," Fasha said. "We've seen what you can do on your own. Now let's see what you can do with the full force of the Trell family behind you."
Few times in his life had his sister rendered him speechless, but this time she utterly succeeded. The Dragon's Wing resting in a dry dock that took up just a fraction of the size of the entire operation helped Kenward understand the scale at which his mother and sister were thinking. Surely they were just as crazy as he. They had simply hidden it better. "They're going to be huge!" he said.
Fasha grinned.
"How long have you known?"
"Mom and I have been working on this for a while," Fasha admitted. "We didn't always know it would be airships we'd be building, but it did seem likely since the Eel and the Dragon's Wing had both flown when they had not been designed to do so. Purpose-built flying ships were the likely evolution, which you've proven in your own spectacular fashion."
"Thanks, Sis."
"Don't thank me. I'm just going to use this opportunity to kick your tail with all things equal. No excuses. Fair's fair. Deal?"
"You’re on," Kenward said, grinning back. "What're the stakes?"
"Knowing you? Our lives."
Kenward barked a laugh.
"First, though, I think you'd be wise to fix Onin's tierre."
His sister made good sense, but while he had her alone, he had to ask one more question. "Have you seen any walnuts?"
Suspicious, she replied, "No. Why? What do you needs walnuts for?"
"Nothing," Kenward said. "I just like walnuts."
"Uh-huh," Fasha said, walking back toward the cabin.
"Have you seen any bats?"
Fasha turned and regarded him with one of those looks. "What are you up to?"
"Oh, nothing."
Chapter 6
To see the power and majesty of creation, look to the skies. To experience that same power and majesty, look inside.
--Catrin Volker, Herald of Istra
* * *
Many gathered to see Sinjin, Kendra, Strom, and Osbourne off. Most did not want them to leave but understood nonetheless. Durin's hands trembled when loading extra water skins and rations into the saddlebags, but already he'd grown stronger. Still, Sinjin hated leaving him behind, especially when so much work needed to be done. Matters of survival had fallen by the wayside. There would come a point he'd have to make extremely difficult decisions.
Arakhan and Mikala approached. They would be in charge of the Drakon in his and Kendra's absence, the strength he could not be for his people. Both deserved to be Al'Drakon more than he, but that choice had been left to Valterius. Sinjin often wondered if the dragon had made a mistake. Sometimes he thought Al'Drak might wonder as well. Arakhan checked Strom's straps, where he was secured behind Kendra, and
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