The Quest for the Trilogy: Boneslicer; Seaspray; Deathwhisper Read Free Page B

will.”
    Oryn’s hands closed tightly around the book. “What do you want for such a book?”
    â€œThe book is yours,” Juhg said. “It’s the Library’s gift to you.”
    â€œI can’t just accept such a gift.” Nor did Oryn seem especially desirous of returning the book. “There must be something I can give you in return.”
    â€œThere is,” Juhg said.
    Wariness entered the amethyst eyes.
    â€œGive me your promise that you will let me teach you to read this book,” Juhg said. “And others like it. Whether at the Vault of All Known Knowledge, your home, or someplace else you might wish to meet. And promise me too that you will teach at least two others to read this book, and that they will each teach two more, and that the teaching will continue.”
    â€œI have two sons and a daughter,” Oryn said. “I give you my word that I will do as you ask.”
    â€œThank you,” Juhg said. He turned to Faldraak and took out another book. “You’re of the Ringing Anvil dwarves.”
    â€œI am,” Faldraak replied proudly. “Ringing Anvil steel is like no other. We’re known for it.”
    â€œYour people once built armor for kings,” Juhg said. “And you constructed iron figureheads and rams for ships that were magically made so they wouldn’t rust.”
    Faldraak shook his shaggy head. “A myth, nothing more.”
    Dwarves and magic didn’t get along well. Everyone knew that. Humans and elves were more open to it, though elves held more with nature and humans tended to be more destructive.
    Juhg opened the book. “The secret of that magically imbued iron was the Ringing Anvil clan’s alone. They wrested the process from a dragon named Kallenmarsdak who lived long ago and high up in the Boar’s Snout Mountains.”
    The dwarf’s eyes widened. “Not many know that tale.”
    â€œI know more than the tale,” Juhg said quietly. “I know the secret of how magic was put into that iron.”
    â€œNo,” Faldraak whispered hoarsely.
    Juhg opened the book to a picture of a dwarf grabbing hold of the toe of a dragon swooping over a mountaintop with the setting sun in the background. “Drathnon the Bold. The Ringing Anvil dwarf who bearded Kallenmarsdak in his lair.”
    Faldraak snatched the book from Juhg’s hands. “The secret of the magical iron lies in here?”
    â€œIt does.”
    â€œAnd you would give it to me?”
    â€œIt’s yours.”
    â€œYou will read this to me?”

    â€œI will. But only at the same price that Oryn’s paying.”
    Without warning, Faldraak gave a cry of gladness, tossed his battle-axe to one of his companions, and wrapped his arms around Juhg, lifting the dweller from his feet like a puppy. “Ah, now you are a surprise, you are! You done filled this old dwarf’s heart with gladness! I’d thought that secret lost an’ gone forever!”
    Juhg almost couldn’t breathe. He felt certain his ribs would be bruised for days. A moment later, Faldraak placed him back upon his feet.
    During the next several minutes, Juhg passed out twenty-seven other books to people who had come to the gathering. Only five histories didn’t have descendants to give them to, and several others were disappointed that they didn’t have anything. Juhg got all their names and promised to get them each books upon his return to the Vault of All Known Knowledge. He could only imagine the protests of his poor staff, who were dividing their time between getting the Library back into shape, teaching Novices, and carrying on their own works and studies.
    In the end, he returned to the stage, though he didn’t humiliate himself by crawling up to the lectern again. He spoke to them from the stage’s edge.
    â€œThese books represent the worlds that existed before the Cataclysm,” Juhg said.
    Amazingly,