Free The Unwilling Aviator (Book 4) by Heidi Willard Page A

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    Percy and Canto sat him in it, and Percy looked to Ned. "You wouldn't happen to have-" Ned pulled a rope from his cloak and tossed it to them. Percy caught it and smiled. "Thanks." The pair tied Crash to the chair and stepped back to admire their work.
    Percy set his hand on the dwarf's shoulder. "Admirable tying," he complimented him.
    Canto smiled and shrugged. "Not a bad job if Ah do say so myself," he commented.
    Pat stepped up beside Crash and turned to the others. "And how will you keep him like this? The tournament won't start for almost two days."
    "But it's over in less than one. The actual tournament encompasses a single hour, and then we will release our friend," Ned told her.
    "And until that hour comes?" she persisted.
    Ned pulled a vial filled with dark liquid from his cloak. "This will keep him comfortable."
    Pat nodded at the vial. "What is in there?"
    "This vial is filled with venom from the valum snake in the Caston region," Ned replied. "The effect only lasts for four hours, but should anything happen to us and he's left to himself he won't starve to death. He can call for help when he awakens," he told her.
    "How comforting," she grumbled.
    Ned turned to Fred. "Now, my boy, what say we dress you for the part?"
    "Um, no?" Fred replied.
    Ned chuckled and stepped over to him. "Nonsense. This will be relatively painless."
    Fred stepped back. "Why can't I use these clothes?"
    Ned stepped toward him. "Those clothes are far too loose. You will be thrown off balance by the wind."
    "Then I guess I can't go up," Fred insisted. Ned stepped toward him, and Fred's back hit the wall of the room.
    Ned loomed over Fred and raised his staff. Fred cringed when the staff swung down and tapped him on the head. A bright beam of light swirled around and down him, and as it went it changed his clothes. Fred's eyes widened as he was clothed in a pink dress, complete with pink bow and slippers. The young man yelped and everyone in the room burst into laughter.
    Canto came up and patted Ned on the shoulder. "Fine clothes for an aviator," he chuckled.
    Ned frowned and rolled up his large, heavy sleeves which promptly rolled back down. "Must be getting rusty," he murmured. He thwacked Fred on the head, harder this time, and the light swirled around him. The dress was replaced by a tight, brown leather jacket over a snug white shirt and pants. His slippers became heavy brown boots. Ned raised an eyebrow. "White. . ." he muttered.
    "Not a very practical color in this dusty environment," Percy agreed.
    Ned shook his head, but pulled his staff close to him. "It will do."
    Fred glanced down at himself. The costume wasn't as comfortable as his jacket, but it fit him. "Is this what all aviators wear?" he asked Ned.
    "With slight variations," Ned replied.
    Fred pulled open one side of his jacket and felt the interior. His eyes widened when his hand touched a pocket he couldn't see. "Is my other coat still here?" he wondered.
    Ned chuckled. "Much like the magic that hid the stones, this outfit is merely a covering over your old clothes. All your clothes still reside just beneath the surface."
    "If yer done dressing yer apprentice then why don't we get to enjoying ourselves before the stone tries to kill us? Yer fun with this fellow interrupted our dinner," Canto reminded them.
    "I, too, would like a view of the city," Percy agreed. "The last city we visited was less-" Canto glared at him, "-entertaining because of the Helpers," he finished.
    Canto nodded. "Aye, and these old bones need a good stretch through the streets," he agreed.
    "We can't all go," Pat spoke up. She jerked a thumb towards their captive. "Someone needs to stay with Enburn."
    "I will stay. These old bones have had enough jostling for one day," Ned spoke up.
    "I will stay, too," Ruth offered.
    Ned smiled, but shook his head. "No. We may know where the treasure and stone lay, but you need to practice your flying," he reminded her.
    "The treasure? When'd ya learn that?"