Keeper of the Eye (The Eye of the Sword Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

his friends would stop trying to match him up with every pretty girl in the province. Molly Floren had been a bad idea, Jessica Crome even worse, and now they were eyeing younger girls in hopes of matching him with their mothers! This nonsense had to end.
    “Max,” Benjamin said as the healer joined them, “I would like to introduce you to Marissa.”
    “Marissa,” he said, holding his hand toward Max, “the best healer in all the province, Max Thorn.”
    The innkeeper smiled like he had brought them together. No doubt, he already saw the wedding in his mind.
    “Marissa, how may I help you?” Max said with a gracious bow. She gazed at him expectantly, like he was the answer to all her problems. He did not like the feeling one bit, and he still could not place who she reminded him of. Someone from Glokstein perhaps or maybe Anista.
    “I was sent from,” she glanced at the innkeeper, “sent to ask for your help.”
    “No better person to seek out,” Benjamin interjected. “Max here is one of the greatest healers in Timmaron if you ask me.” Benjamin closed his mouth, realizing his flattery was a tad obvious.
    Max shot a sidelong glance at Benjamin. “I’m the local healer, Marissa, but far from great. Is someone you know ill?”
    She paused, her eyes going distant like his words made her think of someone. Then she refocused on him; jaw set, amber eyes fierce. Her eyes. Yes, that’s it, her eyes and her stance. But who?
    “I’m looking for a great wizard…”
    The hair on the back of Max’s neck rose. Could she be from Shaladon? The thought felt like ice in his bones. Who was she? Who sent her? He had to get her alone before she revealed more.
    “Wizard!” Benjamin chortled. “Sorry, lass, but there’s none of them in this area. Not since the Sarlon War. They keep to themselves and better for it.” He nodded to himself like he had declared an absolute.
    She looked between the two men, puzzled.
    “The Sarlon War left many in Timmaron leery of magichae,” Max explained, sounding much calmer than he felt. He hoped a brief history lesson would silence her tongue about wizards.
    “Leery! Scared’s more like it,” Benjamin said. He glanced at Marissa. “Well, left plenty of us darn fearful at least. I’m not prejudiced, mind you, but I could do without ever meeting a magichae.” He looked at Marissa fatherly. “Ah, my dear, whatever the trouble, surely it can be solved without magic.”
    She glanced between the two men before settling her gaze on Max with a determined expression.
    No! The spark of recognition in Max’s mind ignited into an inferno of realization. She can’t be! This woman could not possibly be. She was a child when I—how could she be here? Thoughts ran over one another, his mind racing for answers and fear threatening to take control. If an agent of Cintaur was here, who else was looking and what did they know?
    “I do know of a man, a hermit, who might be the person you’re looking for.” Max worked hard to stay calm. “Lives not too far away. I must warn you though, he will not be pleased to have company.”
    She looked at him, curiously. He half expected her to call him out right there. “I must speak with him,” she said after a moment.
    “Very well,” Max replied, clasping his hands together. “Come with me, I’ll show you where to find him.”
     
    ***
     
    Falon had to step quickly to keep pace. Max did not appear hurried, but his pace was quick nonetheless. He seemed distant, deep in thought. What was he thinking? She could only imagine how unnerving it must be to have someone appear from his past asking for aid. The way the innkeeper jumped when she mentioned the word “wizard” made it clear why he hid his identity, but was the wizard buried so far inside him that it remained hidden even to himself? How long had it been since he wielded magic?
    Her mind drifted to Thomas, the seer. A kind old man who accepted her regardless. She owed him her life for freeing