The Wiz Biz by Rick Cook

Author:Rick Cook [Cook, Rick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780671878467
Amazon: 0671878468
Publisher: Baen
Published: 1997-09-02T04:00:00+00:00

Thirteen: The Beginning

Spring was returning to Heart’s Ease.

Except for the spots in deepest shade the snow was melting, exposing the wet black earth beneath. Here and there the hardiest plants thrust forth brave green shoots and the branches of the trees swelled with the promise of buds. The ground was soggy and chill, and there was still a skin of ice on the puddles in the morning, but the afternoon air was soft and the sun shone more brightly onto the warming land.

Wiz and Moira stood together in the door of his hut, sharing a cloak and looking out over the Wild Wood.

Heart’s Ease was still a gaunt blackened thumb against the blue sky, but the burned parts of the stockade were already down, removed by the forest folk. As soon as the paths through the Wild Wood dried out men would arrive, masons and carpenters who would begin rebuilding Heart’s Ease. As before there would be no magic in its construction.

“We don’t have to stay here, love,” Wiz told Moira. “It will take time to make the place habitable and there’s no reason you should live in a log cabin. We could go someplace more civilized. Even the Capital if you prefer.”

“I want to stay here, I think,” Moira said, snuggling to him under the cloak. “Oh, I’d like to go visit my village after things thaw and dry. But I like it here.” She turned her face to his for a kiss and Wiz responded enthusiastically.

“Besides,” she went on after a bit, “I think Shiara likes having us.” She turned to him. “But where do you want to live?”

“Anywhere you are,” Wiz told her. “I’d be happy anywhere with you.”

Moira bit her lip and dropped her gaze. “We need to talk about that.”

“Fine,” Wiz agreed, “but not now. We’ve got company.”

Moira looked up and saw Bal-Simba picking his way across the muddy court.

“Merry met, Lord,” Moira said as he came up to them.

“Merry met, Lady, Lord,” the great black wizard replied as he came puffing up, his bone necklace jangling. “Merry met indeed.”

“What’s happening at the Capital?” Wiz asked once they were seated around the log table in the tiny cabin. Wiz and Moira sat holding hands on one side and Bal-Simba seemed to fill the rest of the dwelling.

Bal-Simba smiled. “Ah, they are still as roiled as ants whose hill has been kicked over. From the ditherings of the Council you would think it was the Capital which had been destroyed, not the City of Night.” Then he sobered.

“But that is not why I am here, Lord. I came to tell you that with the Dark League’s power broken, we may be able to send you home again.”

Wiz frowned. “I thought that was impossible.”

“With the League in ruins many things are possible. Their wizards are scattered and cannot interfere if the Mighty band together for a Great Summoning. I have consulted the Council and we are willing to perform a Great Summoning to return you to your world.

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