Sinners of Magic by Lynette Creswell Page A

reality.
    ‘ Where’s the
fire?’ shouted the librarian from somewhere down the hall. ‘Can
anyone see any flames? We’ll have to evacuate, I can smell
smoke.’
    ‘ Quick! We
haven’t much time,’ Tremlon hissed, realising his mistake with the
dragon. ‘Crystal, are you ready to come with me?’ He grabbed the
white stallion and slapped it between his hands, causing sand to
spray out of his fingers and all over the floor.
    ‘ We must
leave now before I am seen,’ Tremlon said, backing away towards a
dark corner, unable to hide the fear in his eyes. Matt looked down
at the table and noticed a pile of manure left by the horse and he
screwed up his nose when he saw it steaming.
    ‘ That’s
disgusting!’ he said, appalled. ‘Why don’t you clear that up as
well before you leave?’
    ‘ Are you
coming with me?’ Tremlon asked Crystal, ignoring Matt’s outburst.
‘It’s now or never.’
    A prickling at the edge of her
senses warned Crystal too late.
    ‘ Yes, we’ll
come,’ she said, looking at Matt for a sign of
encouragement.
    ‘ We!’ said
Tremlon, taken by surprise. ‘There is no we.’
    ‘ I’m not
going anywhere without Matt,’ she stomped, turning
stubborn.
    ‘ Hey, do I
have a say in this?’ Matt interrupted with a grin spreading over
his face, clearly pleased that she wanted him by her
side.
    ‘ No, you
don’t,’ she said, giving his hand a quick squeeze. ‘We’re in this
together.’
    ‘ So be it,’
said Tremlon, closing his eyes in concentration. He whispered words
in the old language, creating a spell. Crystal shuddered and
something shifted inside her; excitement, expectation. She felt a
rush and then at her feet dropped two thick animal skins, landing
with a thump on the floor. Surprised, Matt picked up the one
closest to him and stroked the thick pelt; it felt soft against his
skin.
    ‘ Why the hell
do we need fur coats?’ he asked, sounding confused. He bent down
and retrieved the second coat before offering it to
Crystal.
    Tremlon winked and gave them a
huge grin. ‘Why on earth do you think it’s called the Kingdom of
Nine Winters!’ he said, bursting out laughing. ‘Come on now, isn’t
it obvious?’

C hapter 5
     
     
    The wagon was rickety and the
horses in need of rest and a decent meal. Crystal and Matt sat
huddled together inside the wagon for a shred of warmth and a slice
of humble security. The wooden wheels, worn from many years of use,
wobbled dangerously upon the road and each bulky stone they went
over rattled their bones.
    Tremlon had somehow catapulted
them all into the extraordinary world and when they arrived, the
group had been greeted by five elf warriors who wore black livery
and dismal expressions.
    ‘ Nice
welcoming party,’ said Matt, eyeing a threatening warrior with a
sideward glance. He turned his head and caught the attention of a
black, beady eye and gave a shudder.
    ‘ Remind me to
never bump into one of those guys on a dark night,’ he mumbled
aloud, ‘why I’ve seen friendlier faces on death row.’
    ‘ These are
good elves,’ Tremlon interrupted, annoyed at hearing Matt’s
unfounded comments. ‘And they have been sent by the king to protect
you.’
    ‘ Why should
we need protecting?’ Matt asked, throwing a suspicious glare
towards the distant hills in search of sinister shadows. ‘I thought
you said we would be safe? You never mentioned anything about being
in any danger and how come we have to travel so far to meet the
king? I’d assumed your spell would take us straight to
him.’
    Tremlon’s hand gripped the
leather reins.
    ‘ We have a
long ride ahead of us and we don’t know who or what we may
encounter on the road. These are dark and troubled times and we
must stay extremely vigilant. The soldiers are here to help defend
us should we meet anything untoward. You may think our magic can
shield you from harm, but it doesn’t work that way here. You see
you have to understand, strong magic is forbidden outside of