Free Omensent: Rise of the Shadow Dragons by Barry Gibbons Page B

hissed. "Sorsos is reputed to be most skilled in the art of wielding magic!"
    "This charlatan?" Damion snorted contemptuously. He stared at the gaudily dressed man with disdain. "He is not a sorcerer. He is a fraud! There isn't even trace of magic about this man!"
    Veren looked stunned. "Are you sure? I've seen him perform feats of magic with my own eyes!"
    Damion shrugged. "Trickery and s leight of hand. Believe me when I say this man is a fake. He has never tasted true magic."
    "Lies!" Sorsos screamed, his voice suddenly desperate. "He lies to try to confuse and manipulate! All know that my power is unrivaled!" He waved his hand and there was a bright flash of fiery white light, and an impressive puff of billowing smoke. "Behold my power!" He struck another absurd pose. "I give you one last warning! Surrender the Dragon Sword, or suffer my wrath!"
    Several of the crowd whimpered fearfully, and the king's military advisors fled the platform, but Damion only laughed again. He glanced over at Veren, who stared at him in incredulity, then to the king, who had slowly began to back away from the confrontation. "This man is a fraud!" He stated once more, making sure all in the hall heard him. "He has fooled you into believing his story with tricks and slight of hand! He has no magic! He is just a clever impostor that dresses like a jackass!"
    Sorsos screamed in fury. "I warn you! I will bring my power to bear upon you!"
    "Okay." Damion held his arms out and waited. "Go ahead, take your best shot!"
    The colorfully robed man stood motionless as everyone in the hall awaited his response, but Sorsos did nothing. His face ha d lost all color, and he opened his mouth several times, only to close it once more.
    Damion looked around at the assembled crowd, then to the king and queen, who watched with stunned expressions. "As you can see, he is a fake. This man has been deceiving you people."
    "N -Not true!" Sorsos tried to object desperately. "It takes time for a sorcerer to ready his magic! You have just caught me off guard. If I was allowed a moment to prepare myself, I'm confident that I..." Sorsos' voice was suddenly cut short.
    Everyone in the hall simultaneously gasped as Damion gestured at the false magician. The gaudily dressed man suddenly rose into the air with a startled yelp. Damion gestured again, and the fake wizard rose even higher until he was floating several dozen feet above the assembled crowd's heads.
    Sorsos began screaming nonsense and gibberish, pointing his staff down at Damion even as he struggled against the unseen force holding him aloft.
    The crowd gasped expectantly , but Damion only laughed again and made a twisting with one hand. The struggling man suddenly flipped upside down and his colorful robe fell down over his face, exposing his rather dingy undergarments. His elaborate staff slipped from his flailing hands and fell to the floor with a loud clatter.
    "I demand you release me!" He screamed, trying to push his robes back into place. "Release me at once!"
    Damion shrugged. "Very well."
    Sorsos abruptly crashed to the hard stone floor. He began to struggle weakly to his feet, his eyes slightly glazed. "You will pay for your impertinence!" He shrieked insanely.
    Damion made another gesture, and Sorsos suddenly vanished, replaced by a grey donkey with very startled eyes. The donkey whinnied in fear and confusion, then stood trembling from head to tail.
    There was several moments of stunned silence, then someone in the crowd suddenly burst out laughing. Others quickly joined in and soon the entire crowd was laughing uproariously. Even the royal couple laughed, though they tried their best to retain their composure.
    After several long minutes, everyone settled down. The king and queen conferred together quietly for a moment, then dismissed the soldiers who were still being kept at bay by Veren's sword.
    Veren resheathed his sword, then turned to give his king an apologetic look. "I beg you for forgiveness,