The Wilder (The Trouble with Magic Book 1) (35 page)

It therefore came as something of a body blow, when Symon returned from the garden with a trugful of fresh vegetables late one Spring afternoon, and announced they would be moving out of the tower. Since the momentous discovery that he was destined to be the long awaited Mage-Prime spoken of in legend, Karryl’s workload had increased tremendously, leaving him with little time for recreation. Instead of accompanying Symon to the peaceful sanctuary of the garden, he had stayed behind in the tower to study.

Resting his chin on one hand, he stared for a long moment at Symon who had seated himself at the table across from him. “Is it really necessary? It’ll be a bit of a wrench for you, won’t it?”

Symon looked around as if appraising his surroundings. “Oh. I don’t know. We’ve already spent quite a time away from here, and I don’t think it will make a lot of difference to me. It’s you I’m more concerned about.”

Karryl’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.”Don’t be concerned about me. I can work anywhere, although I must admit I do like it here. Anyway, you haven’t answered my question.”

“What question was that?”

Karryl rolled up the scroll from which he’d been working, closed his notebook and carefully placed his quill alongside it. Arms on the table, he leaned forward, locking eyes with Symon. “Is it really necessary?”

Symon grimaced, and sat quietly for a moment or two with his eyes narrowed as if finding the question difficult. “If you’re asking me if it’s just a whim, then the answer is no. We both need more space to work and study, more time to perfect techniques. This tower, fond of it as I am, has outlived its usefulness. We’ve been allocated rooms and workshops within the palace.”

Karryl leaned back in his chair and grinned. “The palace! You mean, permanently?”

Symon rolled his eyes. “Of course permanently! That’s what ‘moving’ means. So, next week we must start sorting things out and packing. Nothing must be left behind. I get the distinct feeling we are beginning a new chapter in our lives.”

Little did Karryl know how prophetic Symon’s words would prove to be...

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Karryl’s face was thunderous. “Killers, yes. Natural born? No. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you and your men have had time to recover and made your reports, come to our apartments and I’ll show you what little information we have on these vile creatures.”

They stood a while in silent communion, gazing with revulsion at the aberrant and lifeless forms. An acidic greenish-yellow blood oozed from the diabolically hideous heads, and down the shafts of the weapons on which they were impaled. Severely shaken, but otherwise none the worse for their terrifying encounter, the two remaining soldiers hauled themselves to their feet and came to stand beside their sergeant.

Trying desperately to avoid looking at the loathsome corpses, one of the men gestured in their general direction. “Shall we get these cleared away, Sarge?”

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Following on from his adventures in 'The Wilder' it is now certain that Karryl is the ‘Mage-Prime’, but so what - as his powers grow, so too do the problems that he faces, and even with the intervention of higher beings, will he be ready in time?

Karryl, has quite a lot keeping him busy. Still learning how to control and master magic. Having to fight grelfons, monsters that haven't been seen in a thousand years, and dealing with a mysterious sickness that affects only children. Last but not least, the knowledge that someone he used to know is being trained in evil magic, with the purpose of destroying him and everything that he loves. Time seems to be running out for the Mage Prime.

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Volume 2 of The Trouble With Magic - ‘Mage Prime’ is available from your local Amazon website. For a full list of Amazon websites and details of ‘Mage Prime’, see:
www.qtvh.com/yourls/mage

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