by Linda McNabb
He gulped and hoped that the spell had indeed finished and gone and hated to think what would happen to the ship if it was partially across when the island vanished again.
‘Seth!’ he heard a voice calling him. It was a familiar one that brought a smile to his lips. Rem. He heard water splashing as someone ran through the water and then Rem was beside him, shaking him and making her look at him. ‘Seth are you okay?’
Seth nodded and then collapsed into the water as the strength in his legs gave out. He felt himself being hauled through the water and onto the sandy beach. He blinked his eyes shut. It would be nice to rest for a few seconds.
**
Rem bent to check Seth again. He had been out cold for almost half an hour but at least he was still breathing. Her father came and sat next to her and he looked up along the beach.
‘I see my mother has found her long lost sweetheart,’ Kranos said with a gentle smile. ‘My father.’
Rem followed his gaze.
‘And he’s human?’ Rem recognised him as being with Seth when they first arrived on Deek.
‘My mother told me many years ago that my father was not a wizard.’ Kranos smiled at the happy reunion taking place not far off. ‘Her husband knew as well, but he never said a word. He loved her dearly but died some years ago when a tree fell on him.
‘Mother said I was some sort of throwback from her past,’ Rem said with a frown.
‘Really?’ Kranos sounded surprised. ‘I guess you’ve got human on both sides then. She never told me about that.’
Rem felt her cheeks grow warm as she saw Sufi standing nearby. She still had her hair spiked up. Her father walked off discreetly to give them some privacy and went to check on Mayala.
‘I already knew.’
‘Knew what?’ Rem asked. She had so many secrets that she wasn’t sure which one Sufi was referring to.
‘That you were human. As soon as I touched you down at the hall when you arrived I knew it, but I was confused when the necklace glowed the next day.’
‘That was father. He has always done magic for me,’ Rem said with a sigh.
‘Always? So you’ve always been human. But I didn’t understand why you tried to leave that day down at the hall. I thought we were family yet you were running away at the first chance you had. And taking away what we saw as the saviour of our entire race…’
Rem pulled the folded letter out of her pocket and handed it to Sufi. ‘I wanted to tell you but I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to save Caden if anyone knew.’
Sufi took the letter and as she unfolded it the necklace fell into her hand. The words did not glow and Sufi bit back a small sob.
‘Just because they’re not visible it doesn’t mean they’re not there,’ Rem said gently.
Sufi nodded but did not look up. She flattened out the letter and read it. Rem waited patiently for what seemed a long time. Eventually Sufi refolded the letter and stood quietly for a few seconds then held the letter out to Rem.
Rem’s heart dropped just a little. She had hoped Sufi would understand. She should have known better. All friendship ends in betrayal just as she had proven time and time again.
‘Can you hold this for a moment?’ Sufi asked. ‘I need both hands to put this on.’
Rem took it and Sufi slipped the necklace back on then smiled at Rem and took the letter back.
‘We’ll always be friends, Arianna,’ she said.
‘Actually, I go by the name Rem these days,’ she replied. ‘There are probably a few more things that this letter doesn’t explain. It could take some time.’
Rem indicated towards StarFire who was fishing out in the sea.
‘And this is Seth?’ Sufi grabbed hold of Rem’s arm and held it tightly.
‘Well, he’s not quite what you’ll be expecting,’ Rem said. ‘He doesn’t really like me as much as I may have led you to believe.’
‘And can I fly on the dragon with you?’ Sufi asked, almost jumping up and down with excitement at the prospect. ‘This is going to be so much fun.’
**
‘He’s awake!’ Seth heard someone bellow, and it seemed only a few inches from his ear. He blinked his eyes open and looked around.
Rem hurried up to him and as soon as she saw him sit up she frowned at him. ‘And what made you do something as foolish as that? It could have killed you!’
Seth laughed and Rem looked furious which made Seth laugh louder. Rem was back to being his friend. ‘So it worked?’ he asked.
‘It did. There’s a lot of talking to be done but my father is guaranteeing peace.’ Rem pointed down the beach where a dozen people were deep in conversation. Seth’s eyes fell on a nine people laying on the sand, facing up at the sky. He recognised Messa and his heart sank. Were they dead? They weren’t moving at all.
‘Are they…’ Seth couldn’t bring himself to say it.
‘They’re fine,’ Rem said and dismissed the nine with a wave, ‘Walking seems to be a challenge for them. Muscles they’ve not used in a long, long time. For now they just seem to want to lay down stare at the sky so we let them. I’m sure they’ll tire of it soon.’
A shadow passed over them and Seth looked up to see MoonFlame overhead.
‘If you’re feeling better we have a boy to return to his mother,’ the black dragon said.
Seth nodded and smiled. Yes everything was going to be okay. He had no idea what the future held but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that he had one.
Epilogue
Eagan stood on the track and looked back at High Gate. It didn’t look much like a fortress any longer. It stuck out like a white candle against an almost flat landscape. The nearest mountain was a half-day’s walk. Marrik was convinced the town of High Gate still had a purpose and was continuing to use it to train young men and women in the art of combat. This time though, it was for sport and entertainment.
He sat down on a rock and sighed. ‘I really should have got my shoes resoled before heading back to the cottage.’
‘At least you’re used to walking,’ Darius grumbled as he sat down next to Eagan. ‘It was so much easier to float along next to you.’
Eagan raised one eyebrow as he turned to look at his oldest friend. ‘You want to go back in a staff?’
‘Of course not,’ Darius snapped. ‘But why do you insist on walking everywhere?’
‘You’ll get used to it,’ Eagan replied, smiling as he stood up. ‘It’s a good way to see the country.’
‘I’ve seen the country,’ Darius muttered. ‘You don’t plan on going travelling again do you?’
Eagan looked around at the edge of the moors and back to the tower. ‘Perhaps not yet, but one day. For now it’s a summer at the cottage that we’ve been planning for so long.’
Darius grumbled loudly and stood up to follow the old man. Within a few paces they were walking along together at a steady pace and Darius began to whistle a happy tune.
Circle of Dreams
Book 1: Runeweaver
All Zaine had to do was reach out a hand and he could take it. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he battled the desire to take the book. If he took it, his fate would be sealed.
He didn’t want to be a runeweaver – but he did want to touch the book. He wanted it so badly that he found his hand stretching out to it even as his mind screamed not to…
The search is on for a new king or queen. The search is also on for runeweavers who can help contenders penetrate the Circle of Dreams and win the throne.
Zaine couldn’t have chosen a more perilous time to discover his fate. For runeweavers must take centre stage in the battle for the new monarch.
He is destined to play a unique and dangerous role – to fulfil a prophecy that could spell great danger, and even death, for young Zaine.
Let the Contest begin!
Dragon Charmers
Book 1: Mountains of Fire
In a world where they can be sung into submission by dragon charmers – peo
ple have forgotten the true power of dragons…
Logan lives with Zared, an elderly, absentminded wizard, in Shanoria – the Kingdom of the Dragons. His closest friend is Alyxa, a dragon charmer with the rare gift of soothing and commanding dragons.
But not all dragons are tame, and when feral Reds kidnap the crown prince, Logan and Alyxa are thrust into a fast-paced adventure and go in search of the heart of a dragon.
Also by Linda McNabb
The Dragon’s Apprentice
Shadow Hunters
Dragons’ Bane
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Circle of Dreams: Runeweaver
Circle of Dreams: Timeweaver
Circle of Dreams: Starweaver
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Dragon Charmers: Mountains of Fire
Dragon Charmers: Valley of Silver
Dragon Charmers: Caverns of Gold
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Seventh Son
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Stonekeeper’s Daughter
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Puppet Master
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Crystal Runners
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Last Star
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Maze Keepers
