Broken Mage Read Online Free PDF

any of the mean
little creatures.
    The only real enemy he had was
loneliness. Even the princess’s letters had stopped some time ago.
He didn’t know what was going on in the palace and had no way to
learn. It worried him more than a little but he had his own
problems to deal with.
    Thad spent most of his time using his
staff to look for an exit, only taking breaks when he had more
urgent needs. He had learned his staff had thoughts of its own
though they were chaotic and seldom made sense to him.
    “I wonder if the goblins know a way
out.” Thad said to the air.
    A picture of an underground river
flashed through his mind. “Yes, yes you keep bringing up that river
but there is no telling where it leads.”
    Suddenly his mind was flooded with
images of lakes, ponds and oceans. “That’s true it has to lead
somewhere. But I’m afraid to go any deeper.”
    In response the staff showed him as an
old man lounging back in his chair. “I’m not going to stay in this
room until I die. I swear you just like to get my hackles up you
dried up piece of driftwood.” Thad yelled at the staff in his
hands.
    Pictures from his life pounded into his
mind. Each picture showing a less than brilliant decisions on his
part, usually coupled with the women who surrounded his life.
“Enough! I know I don’t always make the best decision.”
    Setting his staff down Thad walked over
to the pool of water in the corner of the room. His reflection from
the still water was nearly unrecognizable. His clothes were dirty
and tattered, and a thin film of dirt covered his exposed skin. His
light blond hair looked more dusty gray hanging past his shoulders
in a gnarled mess. He had tried to make a magical cleaning device
but it had worked a little too well nearly skinning him alive. His
skin had been bright pink and very touchy for a few days after
that.
    More than once he had thought of
swimming in the small pool but the idea of contaminating his only
supply of water for a few relaxing moments didn’t seem worth it.
Instead he had settled with using a stone bowl every few days to
wash himself off. It didn’t do a lot of good only using his hands
but it did remove the largest portions of dirt from his skin and
hair.
    Thad knew he had to leave his sanctuary
soon. He had already stayed far longer than he had originally
planned. At first it was easy to find a reason to stay a day or two
extra after he had finished all the preparations for his journey. I
might find a closer exit. I need to test out another
idea.
    He had enough shield and light rings to
last him days without ever having to go unprotected. Three large
pieces of iron ore enchanted to make walls so that he could set up
a safe room no matter where he decided to stop. He had even taken
the time to remake his rune necklace that had been lost in the
prison.
    All that was left was to walk out one
of the tunnel doors and continue on. His staff was right. The river
did offer the best chance for an exit. Water had to flow somewhere.
Looking over at his staff Thad shuddered. He hoped it had been his
staff’s idea otherwise he was losing his mind.
    Not wanting to give it too much more
thought Thad began packing up his belongings. The magical items
took up little room and were mostly kept to the side pockets of his
travel sack. The main compartment was filled with dried meat and
what little water he could carry with him. The walk to the
underground river should take about two days in his mind. He should
have enough water to hold him but he was fearful about food later
on. He currently had enough stocked to last a fortnight or more if
he rationed it but after that he would have to find a fresh
supply.
    A sudden idea hit him. He still needed
some type of magic to replace his foot unless he wanted to support
himself with his magic the whole time he traveled. Using his magic
to keep himself up had become second nature to the point he hardly
had to think of it anymore. His staff did most the work but