Free The Fifth Magic (Book 1) by Brian Rathbone

shaft was sucked rapidly upward and seated itself with a resounding thump. The two men looked at each other, unsure how to react.
    Nothing happened at first, and Martik was prepared for another humiliation. Then the stone around them began to thrum.
    Thump . . . thump . . . thump . . . thud.
    The last felt like a dragon had shoulder blocked the mountain.
    "Run!" Martik said and Bradley was already leaping down their temporary structure.
    "Come on!" Bradley said when he beat Martik to the bottom. "We've got to go now."
    The two men had just made it to the ladder when the water began rushing over the wheel, soaking the debris and sending waterfalls down the wheel where the mechanism was still blocked.
    As they climbed the slope to where a crowd of people cheered, Bradley turned to Martik, "Was that what you thought was going to happen?"
    "I'll never tell," Martik said with a grin.
     
    * * *
     
    "Now how are we going to turn the water off?" Bradley asked.
    It was a good question and one Martik hadn't quite puzzled out yet. The water rushing over the mighty wheel was less forceful than a flash flood, and strong climbers made it to the top despite concerns about the wood being slippery and the rungs themselves coming loose.
    "I'm not certain yet," Martik said. "The water will surely have helped loosen up the debris blocking the mechanism, though."
    Bradley nodded his agreement. "What about two ladders tied together at the top, so they lean on each other and can stand on their own. We can have someone holding each corner of the ladders in place against the current."
    "There's a chance the debris will shift once we get up there, and that could put all of us at risk," Martik said.
    "Yes, sir. We're going to have to be careful."
    "Pick your best team. No more than we need but no less. I want to inspect the ladders before we do anything."
    "Yes, sir," Bradley said, a twinkle in his eye. Martik knew he would do everything in his power to make him proud. It was a good feeling, but worry for Strom and Osbourne overshadowed it.
    Even Chase had asked him if there was any news, despite Catrin's cousin being far better connected. Martik had trouble understanding why Chase was still within Dragonhold, but he admitted having his own reasons to stay. It certainly wasn't all bad. Trinda's leadership was mostly unobtrusive, and the people had flourished under her rule. Food was plentiful, people were productive, and they lived and loved much as they had always done. However, the guards watching him colored the illusion.
    In less time than Martik would've thought possible, Bradley returned with his team: four men and two ladders. As promised, the ladders had been lashed together at one end to his satisfaction. It was good they hadn't been longer, since the water spilling over giant wheel's edge was filling the valley. The water was getting deeper, and the crew worked hard to lift the ladders up the slippery stair. With the rushing water fighting them the entire way, it proved more difficult than Martik had initially expected, and he hadn't thought it to be easy.
    When they finally reached the top, the last man over the edge lost his footing and nearly fell, but he kept his grip on the ladder, which was held firmly at the other end. Martik and Bradley followed, helping each other manage the slippery climb. Twice Martik wobbled and both times Bradley was there.
    "Sorry I'm having so much trouble," Martik said, breathing hard.
    "To be honest," Bradley said, "it's kind of nice to see you have trouble with something. I know you've been having a bad run of luck, but you have a way of making a man think less of himself because of all the things you do."
    Martik didn't know what to say and concentrated on making the climb. When he reached the top, the water's rush was nearly overwhelming. He could see why the crew had such difficulty keeping their footing. Bradley put an arm around him, and they moved one step at a time to where the crew worked