The Soul Forge Read online

  Cheers lit up the mountain, though Thomas supremely doubted most of the people there really understood what had just happened. It hardly mattered as he felt more hands lift him than he had ever felt before.

  There was Master Kimpchik, and Ms. Anna was trying to help. Cynthia had his arm around her neck, and Zach had the other arm. Morando had a hand on his chest, and even Chancellor Valerium was there with her hand on his cheek. It took Thomas a few seconds to realize they were both Healers, something he probably should have figured out ages ago. Gilkor came down, laughing and shouting happily at anyone who would listen. Miranda had her fingers interlocked with Zach’s, and Cynthia had a hand on Thomas’ chest.

  But none of that even remotely mattered.

  What made tears spring into Thomas’ eyes was when Ms. Anna kicked him in the shin, and Mrs. Lucinda lifted her baby girl into her arms and smiled a smile so large it wiped away all of the pain in Thomas’ body.

  He would have given his life just to see this.

  They carried Thomas inside, where Gilkor rustled up ale and food. Others talked about beginning reconstruction and who would sit on the throne now. Chancellor Vontanado was found and arrested.

  If Thomas had to hazard a guess, though he didn’t want to jinx it, he would say they had gotten a happy ending.

  The End

  Table of Contents

  Introduction: The Magi War

  Chapter 1: Birthright

  Chapter 2: Damnation at the Tavern

  Chapter 3: Priorities

  Chapter Four: Concerning Kings

  Chapter 5: Wooden Nightmares

  Chapter 6: Birth of Shadow

  Chapter 7: Escape

  Chapter 8: Verdonti

  Chapter 9: The First Task

  Chapter 10: The Keeper

  Chapter 11: Assault on Verdonti

  Chapter 12: Flight to the Flame

  Chapter 13: A Chapter of Rest

  Chapter 14: Down Among the Dead

  Chapter 15: Outrunning the Devil

  Chapter 16: The Makers

  Chapter 17: The Soul Forge

  Chapter 18: The Stable Boy’s Sacrifice

  Chapter 19: Into the Abyss