Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E Feist

Author:Raymond E Feist [Feist, Raymond]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-05-01T03:00:00+00:00

10 - Rescue

It was adispirited group that emerged from the mine.

The survivors sank to the ground, near exhaustion. Pug had fought tears for hours after Tomas had fled, and now he lay on the wet ground staring upward at the grey sky, feeling numb. Kulgan had fared worst of all, being completely drained of energy by the spell used to repel the wraith. He had been carried on the shoulders of the others most of the way, and they showed the price of their burden. All fell into an exhausted sleep, except Dolgan, who lit a fire and stood watch.

Pug awoke to the sound of voices and a clear, starry night. The smell of food cooking greeted him. When Gardan and the three remaining guards awakened, Dolgan had left them to watch over the others and had snared a brace of rabbits. These were roasting over a fire. The others awoke, except Kulgan, who snored deeply.

Arutha and the Duke saw the boy wake, and the Prince came to where he sat. The younger son of the Duke, ignoring the snow, sat on the ground next to Pug, who had his cloak wrapped around him. “How do you feel, Pug?” Arutha asked, concern showing in his eyes.

This was the first time Pug had seen Arutha's gender nature. Pug tried to speak and found tears coming to his eyes. Tomas had been his friend as long as he could remember, more a brother than a friend. As he tried to speak, great racking sobs broke from his throat, and he felt hot, salty tears run down into his mouth.

Arutha placed his arm around Pug, letting the boy cry on his shoulder. When the initial flood of grief had passed, the Prince said, “There is nothing shameful in mourning the loss of a friend, Pug. My father and I share your pain.”

Dolgan came to stand behind the Prince. “I also, Pug, for he was a likable lad. We all share your loss.” The dwarf seemed to consider something and spoke to the Duke.

Kulgan had just awakened, sitting up like a bear waking from winter's sleep. He regained his bearings and, seeing Arutha with Pug, quickly forgot his own aching joints and joined them.

There was little they could say, but Pug found comfort in their closeness. He finally regained his composure and pulled away from the Prince. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he said, sniffing. “I will be all right.”

They joined Dolgan, Gardan, and the Duke near the fire. Borric was shaking his head at something the dwarf had said. “I thank you for your bravery, Dolgan, but I can't allow it.”

Dolgan puffed on his pipe, a friendly smile splitting his beard. “And how do you intend to stop me, Your Grace? Surely not by force?”

Borric shook his head. “No, of course not. But to go would be the sheerest folly.”

Kulgan and Arutha exchanged questioning looks. Pug paid little attention, being lost in a cold, numb world. In spite of having just awakened, he felt ready for sleep again, welcoming its warm, soft relief.

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