Accidental Sorcerers: The First Collection: Books 1-3 (Accidental Sorcerers Collection) by Larry Kollar

Author:Larry Kollar [Kollar, Larry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Green Envy Press
Published: 2015-09-09T06:00:00+00:00

Mik awoke alone at dawn, huddled in his blankets, under the lean-to that Rihous had erected from two short poles and a piece of sailcloth. He looked up and saw his breath; outside the lean-to, frost lie in patches. Holding the blankets around himself, he poked up the fire, throwing on the last of the grass and brush gathered at dusk. Remembering the piece of firestone that the vendor had given him, and forgotten to take back, he threw it on the embers. Mik watched, fascinated, as a piece of rock smoldered then flared up, making a column of black smoke.

“Rihous?” he called quietly. Hearing no response, he shrugged and tried to catch as much heat as possible. Rihous must be attending to morning necessities. The firestone did indeed burn hot, and Mik soon filled a pot from a waterskin to boil some tea. He had saved some of the smoked goat from yesterday, and perhaps that would hold him until he and Rihous reached the “College.”

The morning sky lightened a little more. With the tea ready, Mik poured a cup for himself and stood to look around. Rihous had chosen this spot at dusk, he had said, because the local freeholders were unwelcoming to strangers who traveled this road. There were no farmhouses or even buildings in sight, and the camp was far enough off the road to escape casual scrutiny.

As Mik began to wonder if Rihous had left him here to finish the journey on his own, he saw the young man walking up the road from the direction they had come. He carried a small bundle, and had a small goat on a lead. It trotted alongside, stopping on occasion until Rihous tugged the lead, then it would bleat and follow.

“Hoy!” Rihous called. “I had to get a few things. Good to see you already up and about! I hope you like eggs, I got a small clutch of them. A few pieces of firestone, and our little friend here.” He twitched the lead, and the little goat bleated again.

“I like eggs,” Mik assured him. “I made some tea. Where did you get this?”

“Ah, good.” Rihous poured himself a cup and wrapped his hands around it. “These? Gifts of Necessity, if you take my meaning.”

Mik sighed and nodded. “I suppose we need to cook the eggs and get moving, then. People will see our smoke soon.”

“Good thinking.”

• • •

“That’s the last farm,” said Rihous, pointing to the terraced gardens on their left. “Another hour or so, and we’ll be there.”

“Journey’s end,” said Mik, grinning and rubbing his legs. “A finer concept has never been thought!”

Rihous rubbed his own legs. “Your end, perhaps. I? I will only stay a day or two, then down the mountain I go. From there, it is up to Fate to say where I go next.”

“I was hoping you’d stay close. It’s good to have an old friend in a new place, as the saying goes.” Mik was sincere. Despite a certain lack of moral character, Rihous had been helpful, and had brought him where the Conclave needed him.

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