Ragabones: An epic story of redemption, courage, and the inseparable bond between brothers by Daniel Tweddell

Author:Daniel Tweddell [Tweddell, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Books & Buildings
Published: 2023-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter ten

Madman

With a snap, the hole shut and the screaming wind went silent. The Ilmenite King, the princess, and the teenagers landed in a heap with a dozen sand wraiths.

It took a moment for Josh's eyes to adjust. They were on a ghostly version of the beach. Gray waves lapped on twilight sand. Shadows formed a thousand evil faces on the cliffs.

A dim circle of light danced around the teenagers and each of the sand wraiths. The gem burned white at Josh's chest.

The Ilmenite king slowly stood. Falling through the hole had stripped away his sand, and he gleamed with the dull silver of dirty glass. He straightened his robes with opaque hands.

The other Sand Wraiths, in translucent browns and grays, gathered around him. They watched the teenagers with narrowed eyes and snarled lips.

The king took in the scene and laughed. "So, even a Black Doorway fails against the Zotharan?"

He turned to the Sand Wraiths. "I want that gem."

Wraiths slowly surrounded the princess and teenagers. Sand drifted up from the beach and gave them form. It smelled like garbage.

The friends and the princess huddled back-to-back. She was sand-less, shimmering in semi-transparent greens.

Pete drew his sword. Fiery lettering danced on the blade. Dandelion held a dagger in each hand; their edges crackled green.

Josh wrung his hands. Everyone knew swords and daggers wouldn't work against Sand Wraiths. He'd lost the bell. What could he do?

He shoved hands in his pockets. There were a couple rings and amulets. After what happened with the hole, he didn't dare claim anything else.

He felt a hand on his arm, smelled the ocean's salty freshness. "Don't be afraid."

"But the last time ..." Josh hissed.

She smiled. "The last time you saved my life. Destiny is created with steps forward. Regret, is stepping back. Have faith."

Josh closed his eyes. Magic could save them. With Vastroh's magic, he'd set a whole city ablaze. Help. He reached toward Vastroh in his mind. But nothing was there. Where are you? He felt completely alone.

"You're not alone." The princess's whisper was the soothing hush of waves on a sandy shore.

Josh's hand closed around a ring in his pocket. What did it do? What if it made things worse? Step into the shadow. Josh slid his finger into the ring.

Sand exploded around them. A leathery cat-like creature the size of a rhinoceros landed in the middle of the sand wraiths. Its huge bat-wings beat the air. Armored spikes rippled down its back.

"Torgogs," Dandelion hissed, backing the huddle away.

Sand Wraiths scattered. The torgog pounced on one, biting and shaking its head.

More demon-cats swooped from overhead. Two fought over a sand wraith, pulling until, with a flash of light, it ripped in two. One beast flew away with half. The other gobbled hungrily, and turned toward the teenagers, sand bleeding from the great jaws.

Waves of gray sand rolled to the Ilmenite king. His monster form rose above the fray. Roaring, he raised stone claws to the sky.

In an instant, the air filled with torgogs, pouring from the darkness to cover the sand king.

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