Haven 3 Shadow Magic (Haven Series 3) Read Online Free PDF

concession. “I can promise that the Jewel won’t leave these walls. If…”
    Brand rolled his eyes. “Another boon?”
    “Not a new one, but the fulfillment of an old one,” said Tomkin. He produce the pouch again and waggled it at them.
    “Right, go ahead and remove it, Myrrdin,” said Brand.
    Nodding in agreement, Myrrdin sat down and reached out with the tip of his staff. He lifted the burden from Tomkin’s neck. With a deft flip of his wrist, he tossed the pouch into the fire. It snapped and crackled. A brief gout of green flame shot up in response.
    “Done!” said Myrrdin, getting back to his feet.
    “That’s it?” sputtered Tomkin.
    “You said it would take a great while,” said Brand.
    “Yes, I wanted to maintain our leash over this little gentleman for as long as possible…” said Myrrdin with a reluctant shrug.
    Tomkin nodded slowly and narrowed his eyes. This bit of trickery was something that he understood. “Finally, thy behavior appears rational.”
    “And now,” said Brand, holding out his hand. “Let us relieve you of Lavatis that you may complete your quest.”
    Tomkin hopped up and grinned at each of them in turn. Brand frowned and the axe twitched suggestively upon his back.
    With a tremendous bound, the most amazing Brand had yet to see performed by one of the Wee Folk, Tomkin leapt up to the top of the damaged walls of the gatehouse. Taking great, springing leaps he commenced running along the walltops.
    “Free! Free! At long last Tomkin knows freedom once again!”
    The others watched him bemusedly. When he came to Telyn, sitting at her watchpost, he gave another great bound and cleared her head. She ducked reflexively, smiling. Brand noted that she was working at something up there, fashioning it with her hands. He was too distracted to be feel anything but a flash of curiosity about it.
    “What treachery do you plot? Don’t try to leave with the Jewel, Tomkin!” called Brand.
    “There is no fear of that, river-boy!” Tomkin shouted back, laughing.
    “Enough celebrating, Tomkin!” called Gudrin. “Time now to go get the help you promised.”
    Tomkin stopped his bounding and came back to the fireside with two startling hops. He sat near the blaze, once again warming his fingers.
    “Well?” demanded Brand, increasingly impatient.
    “It is done,” said the manling.
    “What do you mean?” demanded Gudrin.
    Modi snorted, shook his head, and went back to work on shoring up the grille.
    “It is done, the task is already complete,” said Tomkin. He gave Brand a leering grin.
    “Tell us how then!” demanded Brand.
    “For another boon, perhaps,” said Tomkin.
    Brand stepped forward. The axe moved with excitement upon his back. “For the boon of not being sliced in twain, you—”
    Corbin stopped Brand with a gentle hand laid on his shoulder. “Indeed, Tomkin, you surprised us all with your speedy execution. Forgive us if we are at a loss concerning how your task was completed. But before more boons will be forthcoming, including that of your protection, we must feel that you have been honest in your dealings with us.”
    “Right,” said Brand, “tell us what you’re talking about or Herla can have you right now.”
    Gudrin smiled at Brand’s vehemence. “There is some of your brother Jak in you after all, Brand,” she said.
    Tomkin took it all quite well. Hopping up, he set his cap to a more rakish angle on his head and eyed them all. Clearly, he relished their lack of understanding. “Quite simply, I located the wisps that fled Old Hob’s lantern several nights earlier. Distant cousins of mine are the wisps, as thee might not be aware.”
    Brand felt it unlikely that Tomkin was related to anything as delicate and beautiful as the flittering wisps, but said nothing.
    “I told them of the situation here, and asked that they return your favor by flittering off to Riverton and North End to summon help,” finished Tomkin.
    “But they can’t use our speech!”