The Gems of Raga-Tor (Elemental Legends Book 1) Read Online Free

felt hot and tight as the column flared out. The wood beneath his feet collapsed and dropped him into the cold sea.
    “Aacchhh!” he choked in horrified surprise as he traded one terror for another. The cloak's fabric failed to rip away. The silken cord tied at his throat abraded his skin, then tightened and dug into the flesh of his neck.
    He gasped as the cold swells, glowing with powerful magic, undulated around his waist. His heart pounded, panic flared, and he couldn’t escape the touch of drifting sorcery. He jerked down a little lower as the cord suddenly gave before it knotted again. His head pounded with rising pressure as blood continued to fill his skull. His breathing ragged, gasping, the cord squeezed deeper into his flesh, Eris struggled to push the point of his sword between neck and cord. Losing a little skin, even an ear, was better than dying this way.
    Sweat broke out on his face as the mucky, putrid smell of the water, and charred remains of unknown origin floating under the pier gagged the remaining breath from him. He closed his eyes, clenched his teeth and pushed the blade upward. The cord unraveled and snapped apart.
    Eris slid with a raspy gasp beneath the sea’s scintillating surface. The salt water burned the abrasions around his neck and felt like ice against his heated flesh. His water-filled boots and heavy clothing pulled him down deeper and deeper into the dark water. He shoved his sword into its sheath then kicked and clawed his way to the surface.
    Each desperate stroke made his lungs feel that much closer to bursting. Bright lights flashed before his eyes. He struggled to fight the impulse to open his mouth and take a fatal, watery breath. He kicked upward and upward again not realizing how far he had sunk so quickly.
    His face broke the surface and he inhaled a ragged breath. Something soft and slimy brushed against his neck. With a silent oath, coughing and gasping, he kicked himself away from the floating mass glad he couldn't see what it was. The air, rotten and foul smelling, was welcome relief as it rushed into his starved lungs.
    Quickly he looked around and spat salty water. He panted for breath and struggled to stay afloat as the weight of his clothes, the heavy pouches of gold and the sword hanging from his belt became a liability.
    The water still flickered fiery red and gold here and there. He looked up and saw nothing but black sky tinged with Azoreth’s pink hue. The gentle, yellow moon, Minrah, had long since passed over the horizon.
    He shuddered and wondered if the red explosion would draw creatures of the deep to him. He wanted out of the sea faster than he had gotten in. Looking out across the bay, Azoreth’s sharply pointed crescent reflections shimmered like a thousand bloody knives dancing a pattern of malignant ritual on the dark water. He sensed evil in the air and shivered. He knew of no man who didn’t fear Azoreth’s evil.
    He paddled back to where his cloak hung down from its peg, and gripped it with trembling hands. He heard voices; quiet and cautious, but increasing in number. He couldn’t let them find him. There was no good way to explain Slott’s body, the amount of gold he carried, nor the incredible amount of destruction caused by the red beard going into the water.
    Eris shivered and thought of the man’s claim that he was Raga-Tor, first-level elemental of fire. If true, it wouldn’t be long until his life was forfeit. Legend told that none of the first-level elementals had any sense of humor, compassion or forgiveness whatsoever. He heard the wheel of fate squeak and begin its downward turn.
    Giving the cloak a firm tug, it seemed it would hold. Both fabric and bolt held as he pulled himself hand-over-hand from the sea and onto the pier.
    The voices were almost to his position. Water sloshed out of his boots making a sizable puddle. They would know someone was here, but Azoreth’s threat should prevent them from searching any further in the