The Dragon's Rule (Stages of Magic Series #3)

By Jeromy Henry

Sam and Angela visit the Magic Lands, but instead of a simple tour of a world of enchantment, they plunge into a tangle of intrigue, betrayal and secrets. Will their visit spark an all-out war? With Arnold and others, they set out on a quest to uncover the truth and save the Magic Lands from the shadows. For ages 8 - 12.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeromy Henry
• Release date: Jan 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311213037

Jeromy Henry

Jeromy Henry earned a B.A. in English and Art from Drury College in 1997, and a B.S. in Computer Science from Columbia College in 2005. He spends his free time writing, drawing, programming, designing board and card games, reading, and running around after his two munchkins. A number of e-zines have published his work, including Flagship, Fear and Trembling, Resident Aliens, Quantum Muse, Defenestration, and 365 Tomorrows.

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The Dragon’s Rule

Stages of Magic Series #3

by Jeromy Henry

Copyright 2014 by Jeromy Henry

Smashwords Edition

Author’s website:

www.mentalwidgets.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 1

Angela folded a t-shirt and threw a brush into her pink canvas backpack. Her phone slipped from where her shoulder held it against her cheek. She dropped the t-shirt and quickly held up a hand to grab the phone.

... yeah, Sam and I'll be gone for a week... uh huh. Um. No... I am telling the truth!

Angela flushed a bright red.

OK, bye.

She growled and dropped the phone on the bed. It bounced on her quilt. She sighed and closed her eyes.

What's wrong? asked Sam.

Angela scowled. I'm tired of lying to my friends. Marissa and Brenda go places without me and give me lots of pointed looks. They're always busy when I call. They know I'm holding back about something.

Sam shrugged. He had dodged a couple of questions that Joey or Mitch asked, but he didn't have Angela's problem. He didn't have to hide magic lessons and special field trips.

Maybe you should just tell them, he said.

Angela nodded. I will. When we get back. And if they freak out, well, I was losing all my friends anyway. It's not like anyone will believe them if they start spreading rumors.

She crossed her arms and stared out the window.

The doorbell rang. Sam jumped.

He heard his Mom walk to the door and lift the chain.

Mom? he heard her say. What are you doing here?

Visiting for a week. Hope it's not a bad time, said a cheery voice.

Sam and Angela looked at each other.

Grandma? they asked each other. Grinning, they bounded down the stairs and slid across the floor in their socks.

Sam always thought Grandma Harris looked too young to be his Mom's mother. She did have grey curls, but only a few lines here and there on her face. She wore a tie-dyed purple sundress and a straw hat. A bright purple suitcase rested by her sandals.

You could have called, Mom said. She finally stepped back and let her mother in.

Oh, life is no fun if you try to plan it all out, said Grandma. She took off her hat and set it on a small table by the door.

Grandma grabbed Angela in a hug and lifted her off her feet. I can't believe you're so big! she exclaimed.

She squeezed Sam next.

It's been two years, said Angela, straightening her shirt. And Mom does feed us sometimes. Where have you been anyway? You didn't post any pictures or send Mom any e-mails. It's like you vanished.

Oh, I traveled all over. Grandma waved vaguely in the air.

Mom shook her head. You could have picked a better time. The kids are leaving tomorrow for a week at camp.

I guess I'll have to stay for two weeks then, said Grandma.

Sam wished he had a phone so he could snap a picture of Mom's face just then.

I'll make up the guest room. Why don't you help your Grandma get her things, Mom said.

Er, anything to get? asked Sam.

Trunk's open, said Grandma. There's another suitcase, a duffel bag and the hanging clothes.

Sam raced out to the trunk and grabbed the handle of the suitcase. His arms burned as he tried to haul it over the lip of the trunk. Finally the wheels crashed down on the asphalt hard enough to jar Sam's teeth. He could swear he saw sparks.

What's in this thing? Bricks? Sam gasped.

Books, Grandma said, coming out the door.

I thought you'd have a tablet. Since you travel so much, said Sam. He steadied the wobbly suitcase with one hand on the top handle, and used the short strap on the side to pull it up the driveway. The wheels squeaked.

Oh, I do, said Grandma. But some of the rare ones are only on paper.

Sam saw Angela from the corner of his eye, staggering with the duffel over her shoulder. He wondered why she didn't just make it lighter with a bit of magic. Of course, maybe she did use magic and was just pretending it was heavy.

The trunk slammed. Grandma whistled as she skipped past him, the hanging clothes bag over her shoulder.

He blinked. He didn't remember seeing any old people skip before. Even Grandma. Mom scowled and pressed her palm on her forehead, as if trying to keep her head from exploding.

Will you cut that out? hissed Mom.

I like to whistle, said Grandma.

You know what I'm talking about!

Honey, you need to relax if you ever want to have any fun in life, said Grandma. She walked the rest of the way to the door, though.

Sam looked at the stairs. How on earth could he manhandle the suitcase all the way up?

Mom picked up the handle.

I'll take this one, Sam.

She leaned slightly to the side as she picked it up. Sam noticed she rested the edge of the suitcase on the steps a lot when she inched her way up. Sam wondered how Grandma could carry it.

As soon as Mom cleared the stairs, Angela leaped down them three at a time and skidded next to him. She grabbed his arm.

"Mom, we need to go next door for a minute!