Free The Sword that Binds (Book of Worlds 1) by David Taran Page B

about me killing you once the enchantment breaks, but I don’t think we should risk it either way. Even if he only gives us that extra month, we might be able to find a solution in that time.”
    The smile on Ankaros’ face lessened at the words Tyrus spoke, and that was enough to convince Sarena. Tyrus may have been the cause of all of her problems, but he was relying on her just as much as she did him. Using all the strength she had left, Sarena stood back up, her entire body shaking and her stomach feeling nauseous.
    “We’ll do it. Show us this guide of yours and we will be on our way. You know of our past though, so I hope for all of our sakes that the book is not too far. It will take almost a full month just to sneak across the kingdom," She spoke, fighting the urge to collapse. She had never felt so powerless and weak in her life. If this is what old age felt like then she hoped she would die young.
    “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that," Ankaros’ grin returned in full force at her words. “I will be sending you directly to a location much closer to the book than here. And as for the guide...”
    He raised a claw and pointed at the ground to her right. There was a popping sound and suddenly a small child appeared next to Sarena, causing her to stumble backwards and fall in surprise.
    “What in name of Nurazor is going on!” A loud high-pitched voice screamed, making Sarena want to cover her ears. “Where am I! How did I get here?”
    “QUIET!” Ankaros’ voice boomed throughout everyone’s mind. “We have a deal, gnome, in case you’ve forgotten already. You have your apprentice, and you’ll have plenty of time to teach him while repaying me the favor that you owe.”
    “You mean it worked? Of course it did! It was a spell cast by myself after all!” Sarena stared at the tiny being, and only upon seeing the grey beard that stretched to the ground did she realize that it was no child. Barely two feet tall, he looked as if he was a grown man that had shrunken down to a third of his size. He wore deep blue robes with gold trim all over, with what looked like various medals pinned everywhere, including his back. He looked at Ankaros and fell over backwards, doing a full somersault before coming to rest.
    “Seven hells! A dragon is it? I’ll have to append some of the books in the library. I thought your kind was extinct," The gnome, as Ankaros called him, looked at Sarena and back to Ankaros. “ That’s my apprentice? A bit large, and looks more like a girl to me. I doubt it can even grow a respectful beard. What’s this favor you would ask of the great Uckey Ecklofostrum IX?”
    “Not the girl, the sword. And all I need you to do is take these two to the grimoire within the library of Stewrix," Ankaros said.
    “Stewrix! You expect me to make that trip through the mountains! Look at me you dimwit! I called on you because I needed time, not exercise! I’m on my last legs as it is. I can’t make a trip to Stewrix!” Uckey yelled indignantly. Sarena was starting to think that was his normal way to speaking.
    Ankaros sighed, blowing hot air directly at Uckey and sending him rolling even further back.
    “I hate dealing with gnomes. They never stop talking," he said. “But fine, if your body can’t handle the trip then I’ll find something that can."
    Turning his head to look at the forest to their left, everyone followed his gaze. Within moments a young glow horse stepped into the clearing, its eyes glazed over. It moved in front of Uckey and stopped, while within a heartbeat Uckey had disappeared. The glow horse suddenly lifted its head and shook its hoof at Ankaros.
    “What did you do?” Uckey’s voice sounded throughout their minds, just as high-pitched as before. He eventually stopped and turned his head so one eye was facing Sarena. “Interesting. You seem much smaller now. I’ve never seen a race that could change sizes like that so quickly," The glow horse turned its