The Seventh Crystal Read Online Free

Crystal.”
    The girl gasped, rushed inside the small cottage, and slammed the door.
    “Real smooth, Chris,” Shawn laughed.“You definitely know how to get through to these people.”
    Thundering hoofbeats suddenly echoed in the distance. Soon several riders on large black horses emerged, charging through the village, scattering people as they went. A woman screamed, and people started running. Mothers scooped up their small children and hurried indoors.
    “Quickly,” a voice behind them whispered. “Come inside before it’s too late.” The golden-haired girl who had been carrying the basket had opened the thick wooden door of her cottage and was standing in the shadows, urging them to come in.
    The three boys ducked inside the dark cottage, and she shut the door behind them. From the window they could see the village square. Five massive horses were pawing the ground, steam bursting from their nostrils.
    The riders of the beasts were at least twice the size of normal men. They wore shiny black armor with headpieces resembling dragons and other hideous monsters.
    Two of the knights quickly climbed down from their mounts and dragged the old man who had been selling fruit into the middle of the street. They threw him to the ground in front of the horse of the largest knight.
    The one who appeared to be the leader stepped off his horse and bellowed, “Tell us if you’ve seen the warrior!”
    The old man was shaking so hard that he couldn’t speak. He kissed the boots of the leader as if begging for mercy. In a flash the giant knight drew a strange, glowing green sword and lopped off the fruit seller’s head.
    The severed head flew up in the air, spewing blood as it went. When it finally landed, the leader kicked it down the dusty street like a child kicking a ball.
    Then he turned, held his sword out, and roared. “Let this be a lesson to all of you. Mogg demands loyalty. If the warrior comes to this town, turn him away—or die.”

C HAPTER 8
    “It is well that you have seen the vile acts of the knights of Mogg.”
    Chris jumped at the sound of the raspy voice. An old man with a long, flowing white beard was sitting in the shadows at a carved wooden table. He wore a blue robe over his tunic and held a tall staff in his right hand.
    The man rose and hobbled across the sparsely furnished room to a rug near the hearth. He flicked it aside with his staff, revealing a trapdoor. He fixed his ancient eyes on Chris. “Come, warrior.”
    Chris looked at the girl. “Does he mean me?”
    She nodded. “My grandfather, Wizard of Gothan and Keeper of the Stars, believes you are the chosen one. I told him you inquired about the Seventh Crystal.”
    The old man stroked his long beard and thoughtfully studied Jimmy and Shawn. “Are your servants trustworthy, warrior?”
    “Servants?” Shawn made a face and started to explain.
    Chris cut him off. “My servants can be trusted. Will you show us the way to the Seventh Crystal?”
    “Granddaughter,” the wizard ordered, “the warrior’s servants will stay with you for a time. Give them food, and be careful to let no one see them. The eyes of Mogg are in this town.”
    He lifted the trapdoor and disappeared down the stone steps.
    Jimmy looked worried. “How do you know you can trust this guy, Chris?”
    “I don’t. But the way I see it, we’re a little short of choices right now.” Chris steppeddown into the opening. The girl shut the trapdoor and covered it with the rug.
    At first Chris couldn’t see a thing. He had to feel his way down the steps. At the bottom, the narrow opening became larger, and along the rock walls in front of him hung several lit torches.
    Chris saw the hem of the blue robe turn right a few yards ahead of him. He moved faster, trying to catch up. The rock walls gave way to dirt, and the passage smelled musty and damp. He made another right turn and stopped.
    The old man was waiting for him in a small candlelit room. There were tables on which