Magus (Advent Mage Cycle)

Magus (Advent Mage Cycle) by Honor Raconteur

Book: Magus (Advent Mage Cycle) by Honor Raconteur Read Free Book Online
Authors: Honor Raconteur
Ads: Link
more like we're projecting a thick spell around us so that we completely blend in with our surroundings."
    Xiaolang was following this explanation carefully. "Camouflage."
    "Actually, that's an excellent word for it." I thought about it for another moment, then shrugged off-handedly. "Anyway, that's probably why no one else has found him either. They literally didn't see him."
    "You saw him," Xiaolang pointed out. His tone and expression were almost completely neutral when he said this.
    "I felt him," I corrected. "I can't see magic. And even then I was practically on top of the boy before I felt that anything was off. I think his shield must have slipped for a moment, because even though he's right behind me, I can't feel him now."
    "Hm." A moment passed while Xiaolang considered this. "But can you do something similar?"
    "It's not easy for me, but I can do it for short periods of time." That sort of shield fell on the subtle magic border, and I had to really concentrate in order to be able to hold it. "Chatta is much better at it than I am."
    "Can it cover whole groups of people?"
    Ah. I was beginning to see what he was driving at. "I can't. Chatta can."
    Xiaolang cast a thoughtful glance over his shoulder toward the smiling Witch. "Good to know. Now, in the more immediate sense, how do we convince the boy to drop that glamour of his?"
    Good question. I graciously waved him back toward Reschkeenen. "I leave that to your incredible diplomatic skills."
    The Captain gave me a dirty look. "Thanks, Garth. Your confidence is underwhelming."
    I gave him a mock innocent smile—and then wisely moved out of hearing range, before he could think of a way to get revenge.
    ~*~
    I'm going to kill him.
    Slowly.
    With a very dull spoon.
    " Jealousy is unbecoming, " Night informed me with a smugly superior look.
    I growled back at him. Everything had been fine when we settled into a decent inn for the night. I'd zipped out to a nearby merchant's stand and bought some better clothing for Reschkeenen, came back and ate some dinner, and then thought I should probably deliver the new clothes before our young Wizard got out of his bath.
    That's where the trouble began.
    I found Reschkeenen in Chatta's and Aletha's room, wrapped up in fluffy towels, ensconced on the bed, and being practically hand fed by both women. Convincing the boy to drop his glamour had revealed just how thin he was. His skin was mottled in bruises and cuts. The sight had sent both women into Mother Hen Mode, and they were both coddling him like mother cats with a new kitten. That I didn't mind—the boy obviously needed some attention.
    What I minded was how he was responding.
    Reschkeenen was somewhere around fourteen years old, which meant he should be more than capable of taking care of himself. Right now, however, he was downplaying his capabilities, and flirting shamelessly with both women in order to keep their attention on him.
    It made me want to smack sense into him.
    I hadn't stayed long in that room—I was afraid I might give into my impulses and beat some common sense into the kid—and I'd quickly retreated to the stables. Being in Chahir, as we were, no one could know that Night was a Nreesce. Advertising his true nature would be like painting a target on our backs, so he had to play the part of a normal stallion while we were around people. I'd expected him to pitch an absolute fit when Xiaolang had told him that, but Night had only grumbled a little before sighing and giving in. We had indeed come a long way. A year ago, I would have had a major temper tantrum on my hands.
    So, I'd gone down to the stable to talk with my Nreesce and cool down some. I'd ranted a bit to Night, telling him about the situation, and he had listened to me patiently as he crunched on a carrot.
    Of course, as soon as I was done, he had immediately started laughing himself silly.
    " Garth, seriously. He's a fourteen year old boy that's been running scared for weeks," Night chided

Similar Books

Baby Im Back

Stephanie Bond

A Reason To Stay

Julieann Dove

Grant Comes East - Civil War 02

Newt Gingrich, William Forstchen

Amy's Advantage

Eve Jameson