Free The Last Enchanter by Laurisa White Reyes

thought he heard Xerxes say, “Oh, I feel an ill wind blowing.” Of course, Xerxes’ comment was lost on Marcus, who had already turned his attention to the display of pies. He bought four and gave one each to Bryn, Lael, and Clovis. They ate them slowly, savoring each bite of seasoned pork and gravy. When Marcus had finished, he turned his attention to the other nearby tents and the many people swarming around them. He wondered how much longer Zyll would take. The couriers were usually quick in delivering their messages, and news that he and Zyll were in Dokur would surely have reached the Fortress by now.
    When several more minutes passed without Zyll’s return, Marcus walked over to one of the tents to look at some wooden carvings of birds. He picked one up, rubbed its polished surface, and put it back down again. As he walked back to the fountain, he noticed a glint of light coming from another tent at the opposite end of the square.
    â€œLook over there,” he said, pointing.
    Clovis stopped eating long enough to glance up. “Where?”
    â€œThere, where the ornaments are hanging by the bunch.”
    â€œI see it,” said Clovis with little interest.
    â€œI’ve always wanted a dragon amulet. Do you think they’ll have one?”
    â€œI guess so. These merchants sell just about everything. Why don’t you go see?”
    â€œNah,” replied Marcus, shaking his head. “Zyll said he wouldn’t be long. We’d better stay put until he returns.”
    â€œI’ll go,” said Lael as she finished off her last bite of pie. She had already crossed half the square before Marcus caught up to her.
    â€œLael, let’s do this later. Zyll might not see where we’ve gone.”
    â€œClovis,” called Lael over her shoulder, “if Zyll comes back, tell him where we’ve gone, all right?”
    Clovis mumbled something, his mouth again full of food.
    â€œNow come on,” said Lael. “Let’s see if we can’t find you the biggest dragon amulet in Dokur.”

Twenty-five
    T he tent was much larger up close than it had appeared from the fountain, as tall as the neighboring building, with thick, red fabric supported by heavy, wooden posts. From the crossbeam above hung hundreds of amulets made from gold, silver, and many gemstones of all colors. Some of the stones were round, smooth, and clear, and others were cut into diamond shapes. Tiny rainbows danced like stars inside the tent.
    Some amulets were shaped like demons or fairies. Each one hung from a sturdy leather cord. Marcus let the tips of his fingers brush against the bottoms of the amulets. The sound of the gems colliding against each other was like the tinkling of glass.
    He had worn something similar only once in his life, when he wore his brother’s Celestine shard around his neck. Later, he and Kelvin learned that it was one of three pieces of their mother’s royal seal, the Rock of Ivanore. A second piece belonged to their father, Jayson, while the third piece belonged to Marcus. Using the magic he had learned from Zyll, Marcus had reunited the three pieces into one. The restored medallion was given to Kelvin, the rightful heir to the throne—and to Ivanore’s seal.
    â€œDid you say you want a dragon amulet?” asked Lael from the opposite end of the tent.
    Marcus looked at the item in her palm. A silver figurine with wings folded neatly against its body gazed back at him. Every detail was perfect—every feather in its wings, every strand of fur, the proud pose of its head, and the gentle yet powerful curve of its beak.
    â€œThat’s not a dragon,” said Marcus, “it’s a gryphon.”
    â€œOh, my mistake,” said Lael. She turned to replace it on the empty hook, but just then a woman approached. She was dressed in a blue hooded robe with gold coins sewn onto the sleeves. Her hair, the color of rich soil, lay in soft curls upon