Wanderers 3: Garden of The Gods (The Wanderers) by Richard Bamberg

Author:Richard Bamberg [Bamberg, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Verdandi Press
Published: 2016-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

We talked long into the evening of events both amusing and deadly until I noticed Joe’s attention beginning to waver. I complained of being tired to give the old shaman a chance to turn in without him having to admit that he was tired.

While Joe used the only bathroom to prepare for bed, Tess and I went outside. The night-lights of Colorado Springs glittered across the foothills and wide plains beneath us. The night was brisk, already below freezing at this altitude, and our breath fogged in the air.

“It’s an even lovelier view at night,” Tess said.

I grunted an acknowledgment.

We walked down to where Beast and Maia stood beside Joe’s old pickup.

“We can set them free for the night, can’t we?” Tess asked.

“Certainly, we probably should have done so earlier. Beast, wake up. You’re free for the remainder of the night. Be back by sun up,” I said.

As Beast began to shift forms, Tess said, “Maia, you’re free too. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Beast, keep an eye on Maia until she’s familiar with the rules,” I said.

“Rules?” Tess asked.

“Always with rules,” Beast growled. “You don’t have any rules, why must we?”

“Because I’m the Wanderer and you’re the familiar. Now don’t start an argument about something that we settled forty years ago.”

Beast growled something unintelligent and shook himself as he assumed his true form. His great black mane fanned the cool night air before he unfurrowed his bat wings and beat the air as he leapt into the sky. A moment later, Maia’s own feathery wings beat the air as she leapt after him.

We watched them climb into the sky until they disappeared over the top of Cheyenne Mountain.

“They are so cool,” Tess said. “That’s one of the coolest things about being a Wanderer.”

“Really? All the power and magic, living an incredibly long, youthful life, full of adventure and danger and you think the familiars are the cool part.”

“One of the cool parts. I said one of the cool parts.”

I chuckled. I may still have the hormones of a man in his early twenties, but my youthful enthusiasm died away decades ago. I had to admit it; I enjoyed seeing Tess’s unbridled joy at everything we did. For a moment, I forgot about Laura and Alex, Rowle and Ragnarök and it was just Tess and me beneath a starry sky, high above a glittering city.

“How are you really doing, Rafe?” Tess asked.

And then the memories came rushing back.

I shrugged, knowing that she wouldn’t notice the shrug in the dim light. “I’ll be all right. I’ve lost people before, and I’ll lose people again. It’s another reason Wanderers don’t have many friends. People dear to us come into danger just by being around us. It’s better to keep moving, never getting too attached, never allowing anyone close.”

“Like you did with Laura.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I allowed her closer to me more than anyone, and it got her killed. Hopefully, it won’t take the loss of a loved one for you to learn that lesson.

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