Chapter 10
“Friendships build bridges enemies fear to tread.”
- Jonathan Torren - Gear Master’s Diary
Thefour ofus stood in front of the arch with varying expressions of disbelief.
“The Gear Master’s workshop is through there?” I hoped the reply would be in the negative and Cruller had brought us here on a lark. Do dragons have a sense of humor?
“If you are worthy, you will be able to go through.” Smugness didn’t look good on a dragon.
I longed for a good old-fashioned dragon-slaying sword. Not that I would be able to wield it, but maybe I could persuade Oss to get Thorne to do the deed. He had the whole slay-a-dragon-for-his-love kind of vibe. Justin would just negotiate Cruller to death. I might love my duke, but that didn’t make him a storybook hero.
I scrunched my nose at the weird magic emitting from the arch. “What is it made of?” I didn’t recognize the white stone shot through with bits of metallic shine.
It had nothing to do with stalling. I ignored Oss’s knowing gaze.
“Gear Master Torren was known for creating new elements. I believe this was one of his. This is the only place it is found.” Cruller slid his tail across the ground flinging some pebbles into the air. He made smoke rings while we dodged the spontaneous stoning.
While I braced myself to walk through a questionable archway of unknown properties, Oss tossed a rock through it. Nothing. Not even the clatter of it falling on the other side.
“What did you think would happen?” I asked.
Oss shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s why I did it. If there was anything on the other side, it might have come through to investigate.”
I didn’t bother to mention if it could come through it wasn’t much of a trap.
Cruller gave a huffy laugh. “If you are truly the next Gear Master, you will survive.”
“And if I’m not?” I asked.
“Then you won’t have to worry about pretending anymore.”
“Way to shore up my confidence.”
Cruller pulled off indifference with the grace of a beast that knew he was the toughest thing around. “Torren used his magic on the arch to guard his property after he was gone. He swore that only a person with the same magic as himself could enter. Anyone else would face certain death.”
“Charming,” Justin said, his tone drier than the desert beyond the walls.
So much for Oss opening the door for me.
“Has anyone else tried?” Oss asked.
“Not more than once.” Cruller’s sharp grin didn’t reassure me…at all.
“Great,” I groaned. “But how do I let the others inside after I make it through.”
Assuming I made it through. I was trying to stay positive.
“Once you are on the other side, touch the arch and announce who you are allowing inside the territory. It is a permanent admittance unless you go to the ward stone and revoke their entry. The ward stone is under the tower rubble. Until you rebuild the tower, giving anyone permission to enter is permanent.”
“At least you know his work has been untouched since his death.” Oss smirked. “After we cure Buster, you can come back here and examine everything in detail like I know you are dying to.”
“I’ll do that.” Nothing would hold me back from the chance to uncover Torren’s secrets.
“I’ll be right here,” Justin said. “Scream if you need me and I’ll find a way to follow.”
Cruller flicked his tail and narrowed his eyes at Justin. “Why would you risk your life for him?”
