The Seventh Crystal by Gary Paulsen

Author:Gary Paulsen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780307804020
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2011-11-15T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

“Did the wizard tell you what the stars are for?” Jimmy asked.

“Right before we left his house, he said that when the time was right I would know.” Chris threw a rock in the river. “He also said they belonged to the princess and if we find her we’re supposed to give them back.”

“Who cares about a dumb old princess? I thought you were gonna find out how to get us out of this stupid game.” Shawn scratched his cheek and looked down at the water. “I’m sick of this whole thing.”

“Nobody asked you to come,” Chris snapped. “In fact, none of us would be here if you and Cliff hadn’t been chasing us.” He turned to Jimmy. “The wizard said we have to cross the River of Storms and go on to the Death Swamp. The crystal is on an island guarded by a man-eating dragon.”

“That figures.” Jimmy stared at the river in front of them. “Any ideas how we’re going to get across this?”

Shawn stepped off the bank and waded out into the clear blue water. “It doesn’t look that far. We can swim across.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Chris folded his arms.

“Give it a rest, Mr. Know-it-all. I’m getting out of here!” With that, Shawn plunged farther into the river.

Chris glanced up. “They don’t call it the River of Storms for nothing.” A dark cloud had formed over Shawn’s head. The wind started to blow, and giant drops of rain began to fall. Lightning flashed, and the rain turned to hail.

Shawn fought his way back to shore through the pelting ice. He stood on the bank shivering, watching the clouds disappear. “Why didn’t someone tell me?”

Jimmy shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”

Chris took out the compass. The arrow spun three times before settling on a direction upstream. “Let’s see where this thing leads us.”

They left the path and traveled up the bank about thirty yards, where they came to an old boat dock. The compass changed directions and pointed across the river.

“This must be the spot.” Chris tucked the compass inside his shirt and scanned the area for some kind of raft.

“You’re on a roll, Chris.” Shawn inspected the area under the dock. “How are you gonna get across with no boat?”

“In most of the games I’ve played before like this, one just appears for you—if you hit the right spot on the game field.” Chris stepped to the edge of the dock. “I guess this one’s different.” He put one foot out above the water. The dark cloud immediately formed above them.

“Wait, Chris. What are you doing?” Jimmy moved up beside his friend.

“Trust me. I’ve seen it work this way before.” Chris closed his eyes and stepped off the dock.

He didn’t fall into the water. Instead he found himself standing on an invisible bridge. He pulled out the compass. It pointed straight ahead. A violent storm raged on both sides, but the path in front of him was clear all the way across.

Jimmy stepped down behind him.

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