The Prodigal Mage (Fisherman's Children) by Karen Miller

Author:Karen Miller
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Epic, Science Fiction, Demonoid Upload 4, Fiction, Fantasy, Weather, Seasons, General
ISBN: 9780316029209
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2009-08-10T07:11:58+00:00

Footsteps behind him. Slow. Almost hesitant. Da. And then a gentle hand came to rest on his shoulder.

Rafe. Rafe. You think I dont know how hard you want to be part of that mageworking? Da asked. I do. And I know right now you dont care for me overmuch. But I cant let that fret me. Better you alive and not likin me, than you thinkin me the best da in Lur as you die.

His father was trying to wheedle him. He didnt want to be wheedled. Shrugging free, stepping aside, he turned. It aint certain Id die.

It aint certain you wouldnt, Da retorted. Like Mama, his eyes were full of pain. Reckon Im about to risk you on a maybe?

What I reckon, he said, through gritted teeth, is that youve got to let me make my own choices.

Da shook his head. Not this time, sprat.

Sprat. I aint a bloody sprat, Da! Im

I know what you be, Rafe, said Da, his voice strangled tight. You be the bloody heart beatin in my chest. You goin to stand there and look me in the eye and ask me to rip it out? With my own hands? Ask me to throw it on the ground at your mas feet and say, There you go, woman. Thats how much I love your son. Eh? Is that what youre goin to do now, Rafe?

And what was he sposed to say to that? He had nowt to say. Da was more than wheedling, he was playing dirty, like a gutter drunk, and there was nowt he could say.

Then he didnt have to even try finding words, because there was a bustling behind them. Raised voices, boots scuffling on the stone pier. He and Da looked round to see Fernel Pintte and Lord Garrick and his poxy son Arlin and the other Doranen mages tromping down the pier towards the battered, fishless fishing boat as was set aside to take them out to the reef.

Pintte and Lord Garrick never missed a step or turned their heads. But Arlin, passing, slowed almost to stopping and smiled wide. He reeked of insolence and contempt. Meister Asher. Rafel.

Arlin, said Da quietly. Barls blessin on you.

Arlin laughed. As if we need it.

You need somethin, Da replied. You need a bloody miracle. Arlin! snapped Rodyn Garrick over his shoulder, and Arlin hurried to catch up.

Sarle Baden, Ennet Vail and Ain Freidin didnt slow, or speak. They were trying to pretend Da wasnt even here. That hurt. Did it hurt Da too?

Even if it did, hed never let on. Hes my da but at times like this I dont know him.

Asher, said Mama, joining them, Deenie at her side. We dont have to stay here. We can go back to the inn. We can pack, and go home.

Da shook his head. I cant, Dath. He took one step after the Doranen mages and Pintte. Dath, I

Mamas fingers caught hold of his green-and-bronze striped sleeve. No, Asher. Its too late. Theyll not let you join them now.

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