Merchants and Mages (Highmage's Plight Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

laughed.
      One thing that seemed odd to the elfblooded healer was that Staff, whom only he, Raven, and Je’orj were able to hear, didn’t take the opportunity to needle Je’orj as usual.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
    The Barrows
    Chapter 3
     
     
    T he old barrows lay just ahead. “We had best stay clear of them, Je’orj,” Balfour advised.
      The archeologist’s interest was piqued, “A burial mound?”
      “It’s ancient,” Balfour said. “It’s said to date to a time that may even go back to before the Elf and Human War.”
    George’s interest was plain to see.  He raised his staff, which glowed as he went into deeper rapport with his computer, which was, in essence, an extension of his mind and vice versa.
      Balfour shook his head, “I would advise against that. I guided us here because the wards are so good that the Demonlord’s servants fear coming within miles of the place.”
      George half closed his eyes and had the staff run a scan. All he sensed was a series of rolling hills before them. There was no sense of anything out of the ordinary, but George Bradley was a keen observer and could see the signs that the barrows had been used in recent years.
      :But I cannot verify that,: Staff asserted.
      “You do not have to,” George muttered back, then looked at Balfour who nodded. “So, I guess my curiosity will miss out this ti…” he cried out as the now too familiar and utterly devastating agony of the Summoning’s enchantment struck him like a wave.
    His horse shifted uneasily as George spurred it toward the Barrows. His staff flared, forcing the Summoning’s inexorable will back. Grunting as the brunt of the unexpected driving agony left him. George struggled to stay in the saddle.
    Se’and spurred her mount to chase his and soon grabbed up his reins as behind them all the riders raced pell–mell after Je’orj. She shouted, “Whoa!”
      The horse slowed as George slumped, fighting to stay both mounted and conscious. His staff was ablaze with light. Se’and carefully steadied him without coming in contact with the staff.
      Balfour privately cursed. “It seems we are going to the Barrows, after all. Cle’or, is there any sign of pursuit?”
      The woman turned her mount about suddenly uncertain, and moments later replied, “No, Milord.”
      “Then why does the Summoning want us there?” he rasped as his friend took deep breaths and steadied him. “Perhaps,” George thought aloud, “it’s even more curious about something than I normally am.”
      The elfblood saw he was not the only one disturbed by that idea. Se’and asked, “Balfour, is there any way clear of the enchantment protecting the Barrows?”
      He shook his head, “There is only one way I have ever heard of people being permitted to enter – and that was as part of a funeral procession.”
      “That would not be my first choice,” George responded with a shake of his head.
      Se’and gestured, “After you, then.”
      George nodded with a grim smile and led them closer.
     
    The Summoning seemed to know a way, opened the way. A dirt trail appeared before them, which periodically vanished. “That way,” George rasped.
      That earned him looks, but no one gainsaid him, so off they went.
    Raven grew tired of being confused by its tricks and quickly threw off Fri’il’s  hand––me––down old livery that she wore. Me’oh grabbed it before it could fall to the ground as Raven leapt to the ground and ran before their horses.
      Her whole body shimmered as she changed and padded forward along the trail as a tawny-haired beast with a black mane. She could sense the trail more clearly, glancing back at her foster-father, who gave her a weary smile. She gave him a lupine smile back in return, then got back to business.
      Suddenly they found themselves amid a labyrinth of barrows, somehow