The Fifth Magic (Book 1) Read Free Page B

"Got to go," he said. "I'll shout when I need that nudge. Be gentle, will you?"
    Onin grunted.
    Not a moment before Kenward reached the Serpent, Sevon appeared from within the crowds gathering to watch them depart--or perhaps just burn to cinders. There was shouting coming from aboard the ship, and flames leaped up from between the decking. Kenward, Sevon, and the rest of those not onboard raced back to the ship. Wind gusts, powerful and insistent, threatened to pull the Serpent into the open air as well as fanning the flames.
    Brother Vaughn wasn't certain how pleasant his trip to the council would be, but he knew he'd made the right decision. Kenward's orders echoed through the chamber, and Jehregard added his deep baritone roar. As the Serpent moved closer to the edge, so did Kenward's voice go up in pitch. Steam poured out and black smoke engulfed the ship, leaving the crowds to gasp and wonder her fate. Jehregard moved closer before Onin could reach the agitated dragon. Every step made the stone tremble, tierre and harness rattled and popped, and the mighty beast was lowering his head when the smoke suddenly cleared. Kenward and his crew scrambled over the airship, checking lines and shouting. The same wind that cleared the smoke also dragged the Serpent from the hold.
    "I think we're good," Kenward shouted just before the ship dropped from sight. The crew's screams grew distant. Brother Vaughn ran toward Jehregard, his fear outweighed by the need to know what happened to his friends. Though he was glad not to share their fate, he would never have wished them harm. Snaps, cracks, and screams echoed as he ran, and his heart pounded. Jehregard gave a great trumpeting call, but Brother Vaughn didn't know what it meant. It only added to his anxiety and confusion. When he did finally reach the edge, he managed to keep a goodly distance between himself and the agitated dragon. Peering down, the Serpent resembled a falling toy--how far it had dropped was terrifying. With full and taut wind socks, though, the ship righted herself. Trees in their wake reeled from recent impact, but Kenward's laughter could be heard even from the heights.
    "That man is quite insane," Brother Vaughn said. No one argued.
    "Come," Onin said, pushing him from behind. Sensi approached more slowly, but even he appeared to be moved by a sense of urgency. Jehregard extended his leg, providing an easy climb to the tierre. Onin went first and Brother Vaughn followed. Sensi offered a few choice words to the wind before doing his best to climb in a dignified fashion. When he reached the tierre, the big man was breathing hard and had to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Tie yourselves in," Onin said.
    Brother Vaughn didn't hesitate for an instant. Nothing he'd seen of flying thus far gave him any reason to believe he had the ability to stay where he was on his own. Sensi halfheartedly pulled at the too-short ropes and managed to secure himself, if just barely. Brother Vaughn couldn't help but check and recheck the knot he'd tied. He was considering untying it and retying it to make it more secure when Jehregard issued another deafening call, one Brother Vaughn could feel in the seat of his pants even when he held his hands over his ears.
    A cold feeling unsettled his stomach, but Jehregard proved his skill. Extending his wings, the dragon left the cold stone without any noticeable sensation to those aboard. Seemingly without moving a muscle, the verdant dragon sailed into the open air as smoothly as could be. Brother Vaughn breathed a deep sigh of relief and wiped sweat from his own forehead. Sensi gave him a disgusted look.
    No sooner had Jehregard executed a turn than shouting from within the mountain hold began. One word rang through the air, "Thief!"
    Sensi cast an accusing glare at Brother Vaughn, who shrugged and turned his hands palm up.
    "Go back," Sensi said.
    "Why?" Onin asked, surprising Brother Vaughn.
    "Because something has been stolen, and it's