The Fifth Magic (Book 1) Read Free Page A

again in the broad light of day?"
    "This man tricked me into thinking he was an idiot, and instead he's a thief!"
    "I may look dumb," Kenward said, "but it's just a disguise."
    "You see? He tricked me."
    "Move along," the guard said to Kenward, and Brother Vaughn sighed in relief.
    "Can we go back now to see if the men are done repairing the Serpent ?"
    "I need some more rope," Kenward said. "The crew can't fix the ship without materials, but everything here is expensive."
    "It's all imported," Brother Vaughn said.
    "That's crazy," Kenward said. "Give anyone control over your food and goods, and they'll eventually use it against you."
    Secretly Brother Vaughn was dreading getting back on the Serpent, but it didn't appear he was going to make any progress here on his own. The Serpent might be his only way home, which was a less-than-comforting feeling.
    "For rope? " Brother Vaughn heard Kenward say and he turned. "Did you spin it out of rainbows and dragon tears?"
    The merchant did not respond.
    "We'll have to use what we've got," Kenward said, finally convinced to go back to the ship. It was a long and uncomfortable walk. He spent his time grumbling over the prices merchants dared ask for their goods, imported or not. Brother Vaughn knew returning to the vacuous hall where the Serpent lay on her side like a grounded whale might also mean getting another chance to see a verdant dragon up close. He hoped any he encountered would refrain from roaring at him. His hearing was just starting to return to normal.
    His dreams of seeing another verdant dragon were fulfilled when they entered the hall, except this dragon was different from the rest. Jehregard stared down at Brother Vaughn, one eye more like a gemstone than eye. His mottled black and gray skin was like rock with moss and lichen growing between his mighty plates and giving him a greenish hue. There was no malice in the dragon's stance, eyes, or the energy he exuded, but he was intimidating nonetheless. One false step could kill a person, and having been stepped on by multiple horses, Brother Vaughn wasn't certain how close he wanted to get. Atop the dragon's back was a smaller version of the tierre, which could still hold ten people comfortably.
    "I wonder how the old boy might feel about giving us a nudge," Kenward said.
    Brother Vaughn shivered at the thought. It hadn't been Onin's verdant dragon that saved them from being dragged over the ledge, but he was certainly powerful enough to push the Serpent back into open air. What happened afterward being the true cause for concern.
    Onin appeared a moment later, along with Sensi. The rotund man had been nothing but rude and seeing him was not a hopeful sign.
    "Onin, my friend," Kenward said.
    The older man cast him a flat glare. "What?"
    "My men should soon complete the repairs needed, but my ship is now much heavier, and I was hoping I could beg a favor of you."
    "What?"
    "A push," Kenward said. "More of a nudge, really. Just enough to send us on our way."
    "Not soon enough," Sensi said in a voice just loud enough for everyone to hear.
    "Fine," Onin said.
    "Are you going to the council?" Brother Vaughn asked.
    The looks returned to him were cold.
    "Yes," Onin said.
    "May I go with you?" Brother Vaughn asked before he lost his nerve.
    "That would be most appreciated," Kenward said. "I can use the extra weight."
    Brother Vaughn didn't appreciate being judged by nothing but his weight, but he saw Kenward's point. Onin turned to Sensi, saying nothing.
    The fat man groaned. "If you must."
    Knowing his welcome was tenuous at best, Brother Vaughn did his best to fall in behind Onin, remaining silent and invisible. Jehregard continued to watch them approach.
    Bryn ran out to meet Kenward. "Almost ready, sir," he said, "just need that rope and we'll be airworthy in no time."
    Lying on her side and belching black smoke, the Serpent was an ominous sight. The wind socks started to reinflate, and Kenward bade them a brief farewell.