The Unwilling Apprentice by Heidi Willard

Author:Heidi Willard [Willard, Heidi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, Epic
ISBN: 9781499759983
Google: 49DuzgEACAAJ
Amazon: 1499759983
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
Published: 2014-06-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

The companions were quiet as they retreated back to Ned's bedroom. Pat was stunned by Cousin Michael's offer to perform the black magic. "What could the king mean by this cousin? The Priests of Phaeton have always been pure, so what Order in their ranks would allow such debauchery as black magic?"

"The dark half to the fire," Ned informed her. He shuffled over to the bed and wearily seated himself. "You dwelt with the half that worships a god of purification, but others worship him as a god of destruction and darkness. This Cousin Michael is of that chaotic order that inhabits the north and west of Galaron."

"Then this is ordained by Phaeton?" she asked him.

Ned sighed. "You will soon learn that nothing is a perfect black nor a perfect white, and no one is as they seem."

Pat frowned, but abstained from any further argument. "Then if that is true, what are we to do? How are we to proceed?" she countered.

Ned leaned his staff against the end of the bed, and pulled out a nightcap and slippers from his cloak. He plopped it on his head and the slippers onto his feet. "I say this is the perfect time for a good night's rest. The king will keep to his word and have us out of his sight before breakfast."

Pat rolled her eyes, but led Ruth back to their room. When they'd gone Fred turned to his master. "Do you think we will run into trouble out there?"

Ned chuckled, and there was no mirth in that sound. "No, I don't think we will run into trouble. I know we will find trouble out there."

The pair retired, but Fred couldn't sleep. He kept thinking back to the priest and their mission to raise the dead king. He was haunted by images of a rotting corpse bursting from the ground and grabbing him.

Then something did grab him. Fred opened his mouth to scream, but a hand clapped over his face and stifled his scream to a squeal. Someone bent over him and long hair brushed against his cheek. "Quiet," Lady Martley whispered. "I mean you no harm. Please come with me."

She pulled her hand away and stood. Fred sat up and watched her retreat out of the room and into the hall. He glanced over to the bed and saw the covers rise and fall with the snoring sounds. Fred thought to wake Ned, but Martley urgently beckoned him from the doorway. He rose and followed her out into the hall. She closed the door and turned to clasp his hands in hers. He'd never seen so many emotions on a single person's face. The most prominent was fear. "Do you intend to go with Ned and the others tomorrow?" she asked him. He frowned, but nodded. "I beg you to do me a single favor, and not follow him. He doesn't understand the dangers."

"What are the dangers?" Fred asked her.

Martley pursed her lips together and shook her head. "I cannot tell you, but know that I have only your best interest in my heart.

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