A Touch of Magic Read Online Free PDF

that his father must be under Earl’s power. If that was the case, then Randall was already doomed.
     “Hell yes, son. He told me how he saw you and Bobby goin’ rounds with practice swords, and how you thrashed him right good. Said you have the makings of a fine caravan guard,” his father crowed like a rooster. “I’m proud of you son! I knew you’d come into your manhood soon enough!” Earl snuck Randall a wink where his father couldn’t see. Randall’s father wasn’t under the influence of a spell, then…only a lie. Maybe Randall had a chance, after all.
    “Earl here says he was just passing through town tonight, on his way to Paranol to pick up a wagon train of spices. Said he thought he’d look over the boys in town and see if any of them looked promising, and that you looked to be the best of the lot! He’s come to give you an offer of apprenticeship, on first day of job fair! Now that’s a feat!” John Miller continued, excited.
    “But Pa, you don’t understand. He…he…” He what? Randall thought. He certainly has my Pa pegged. What am I supposed to do now, tell the truth? Tell him that Bobby beat me with one hit, and this man is a dangerous magicker? The one he won’t want to believe as the truth, and the other will seem too silly to be so! Randall had never been very good at sports or other games boys played, but Pa always told him he’d ‘come into his manhood soon enough’. And Earl was telling his father exactly what he wanted to hear.
    “What is it, Randall? Spit it out.” Pa never had much patience for shenanigans, and his face was already betraying signs of his annoyance.
    Randall had a flash of inspiration. “But, I already got an offer with a baker this morning, Pa. He thinks my milling experience will be a big help in his shop. He said we could leave in a couple of days.” He looked over at Earl, and tried to look disappointed. “I’m sorry mister. I was so excited, I took his offer. If only I’d known you had seen me fighting…” he trailed off.
    Earl frowned at Randall momentarily, before brightening and clapping his hands together. “Well, Mr. Miller I told you the boy had talent! I hadn’t expected to find any suitable boys at all, to tell you the truth,” Earl confided. “But when I saw your boy on the practice field, I could tell he was a natural! He’s rough around the edges, of course, but with the proper training, he’ll become a fine fighting man.”
    The more Earl lathered on the praise, the more Randall’s father puffed up with pride. “Why, I’m not surprised that the boy’s had more than one nibble today. Not surprised at all! But I’m sure he hasn’t yet taken the oath of apprenticeship, have you boy?” Earl gave him a look that foretold dire consequences if he lied.
    Randall considered lying anyway, but the oath had to be given in front of witnesses. Randall would find himself in deep trouble indeed if Earl or his father asked who they were, and he couldn’t produce someone who’d vouch for him. And judging from the look on Earl’s face, it was obvious that Earl would be relentless in exposing any falsehood. “No, sir,” Randall said meekly.
    “Well, then, there’s no deal yet.” He turned back to Randall’s father. “As I mentioned when I came over, I was impressed with the boy, and wanted to grab him up before everyone started fighting over him. I’m sure you’re probably aware that this kind of thing happens all the time with boys that are the choice of the litter! No deal’s done ‘til the oath’s sworn.”
    John Miller nodded his head. “He’s right, Randall. Besides, you’ve said often enough you were interested in soldiering. Being a caravan guard’s almost the same, only Earl tells me it’s easier work! And soldiering is more respected a profession than baking, that’s for sure!”
    Earl piped up. “Rightly so. You’ll never hear any legends told or songs sung about Randall the Baker! No sir, no how! Now, Mr.