The Tale of the Four Wizards by D.L. Gardner

Author:D.L. Gardner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: wizards, Dragons, magic, legends, folk tales
Publisher: D.L. Gardner
Published: 2021-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

***

It may not have been wise, bringing these renegades along with him to find Meneka. But Kaempie had a deep desire to learn who they were and where they came from. Leaving Armel behind him didn’t seem like a good idea, either. Jacques and Hermaz were friendly enough, but Armel carried bitterness. Kaempie would just as soon keep the man by his side rather than have him sneaking in the bushes behind his back.

In addition, the mention of a portal roused his curiosity.

Weighed down with bedrolls and packs filled with supplies from their ship, the men trudged alongside the wizard.

“So, who is this person we’re set out to rescue? Is he a wizard, too?” Jacques had made a point of keeping in step with Kaempie, stirring up conversation whenever he could think of something to ask.

“He is. He’s also as young as you are.”

“How did he come to need rescuing? I mean, if he’s a wizard, wouldn’t those tribal people be afraid of him? Wouldn’t he scare them by showing off his magical powers?”

“Is that what you would do?”

Jacques laughed. “I don’t know. Maybe. Probably. When you have magic, you’d want to boast a little, I would think, especially if you’re around folk who aren’t nearly as gifted. It just seems the natural thing to do.”

“Well, I suppose it’s possible he showed off his magic. If so, I hope it was effective. However, the last I saw of him, he was swimming toward a surge of arrows. Whether they hit him, and he died, or he was wounded and captured, I don’t know. But I’d like to find out before we enter the village. It’s not my intent to cause trouble with those people, nor to show off my magic.”

Jacques glanced at him. “You did, already.”

“No. I was using my magic. There’s a difference.”

The boy fell silent, keeping pace with the wizard.

Kaempie added quietly. “If Meneka’s been slain, I would like to retrieve his body and give him a proper burial.”

“That’s kind of you,” Jacques said. “My family would do the same for me. If they knew where I was, I mean.” He stopped. Kaempie sensed the boy’s unrest as they waited for the others who had fallen behind.

“Where is your family?” he asked.

Daylight was fading, and they had just reached a summit overlooking the ocean. Where they stood, the air was fresh and carried a taste of the salty sea. Jacques pointed toward the cloudless heavens, now turning pink and gold with the setting sun.

“Out there somewhere. I’m afraid I’ll never see them again.”

“I don’t understand,” Kaempie said.

“There was a horrendous storm. The tempest pounded on our ship as though Hades itself sought its destruction. We were certain we were doomed. The main mast split like kindling. Tossed violently by a raging sea, our ship took a lunge for the heavens and then dove toward the devil’s caldron, spilling out of our world into this one. It sounds incredible, I know. But believe it or not, that’s what happened. Armel and Hermaz think we’ve been spat into the pit of Shoal.

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