Free The Seventh Magic (Book 3) by Brian Rathbone Page A

suddenness.
    While giants had proven they weren't stupid, neither were they brilliant. Hurling the massive granite boulder with all its might, the giant launched a devastating projectile . . . just where Valterius wanted. Anticipating the attack, the dragons dodged. The mass of granite raced beneath, plowing into the valley floor with land-ripping force. The dark-robed sorcerers were no more. Arrows and rocks filled the air in volleys, threatening to take them down, but the dragons knew this land better than anyone else alive. Circling back, they raced toward Windhold. Sinjin expected them to land, expected to orchestrate the evacuation. The speed at which they approached, though, made it clear there would be no stopping.
    "We're under attack!" he screamed as they passed stunned faces. Dragons roared and shouts filled the hold. "Make for the keystone in the peaks! Something's opened them up!"
    In the next instant, they soared through open air, racing toward an approaching fleet.
     
    * * *
     
    Having skilled artisans at his disposal made almost everything easier for Kenward Trell. Not since the Slippery Eel had he played the role of wealthy shipbuilder. His past two ships had been built from sweat and tears. These new ships would be built from that rare combination of the best materials and pride. A well-made, well-maintained, skillfully sailed ship could span generations. The Trader's Wind was such an example. Recent discoveries rendered the ship largely obsolete but not entirely. Kenward tried not to get ahead of himself. His ships would have their time.
    For the moment, he was content to scale the ridgeline separating his mother's cabin from the main worksite. Onin had been more patient than Kenward would have expected. In some ways the man had been downright pleasant. Even skilled artisans needed time to produce quality work, and Onin had said there was no sense repairing his tierre if not to fix it correctly. This meant disassembling undamaged parts to be replicated for the side someone had flown the bumblebee into. Kenward had been thinking hard on how to improve the design.
    The parts were heavy, but Bryn, Farsy, and Fasha helped. Onin was content to let them do all the work, which Kenward grudgingly supposed was only right. He'd expected the older man to come see the work site, but Onin had said he'd see plenty when he flew over. The walk got easier as they went, though the carved parts seemed to get heavier over time. Wood smoke from the cabin mixed with spices and cook smoke, and the smell kept them moving. After staging the new and old parts for reassembly, Kenward was the first to the door.
    He was about to ask what smelled so good, but no one noticed him enter. Onin and Nora laughed so hard, they had tears in their eyes. Grubb fidgeted.
    "And then she poured the potatoes on his lap!" Nora said after a few deep breaths.
    Reddened and breathing hard, Onin held his ribs. "Enough," he gasped. "No more. You’re killing me."
    "Are you two all right?" Kenward finally asked.
    "Shut up and eat," his mother said, which set them both to laughing again.
    Shrugging, Kenward moved to where Grubb cooked. "What smells so good?"
    His old friend shoved a plate full of all Kenward's favorites into his hands. "Shut up and eat."
    You didn't have to tell Kenward twice, but it didn't hurt. Onin giggled like a little boy, and Nora wiped her eyes. Fasha and the others were no fools. They grabbed plates for themselves and did as Kenward had been told.
    "Are you going to let us in on the joke?" Fasha asked when her plate was clean.
    "No," Nora and Onin said at the same time, and this set them giggling again.
    "That tierre isn't going to reassemble itself, you know," Farsy said when done eating. When walking past the stove, he added, "I thank you as always, friend Grubb."
    Kenward took the hint, finished the last of his food and followed Farsy to the door. Bryn came with them. Fasha stayed behind.
    "What do you suppose was going on in