My Sparkling Misfortune (The Lakeland Knight) Read Online Free PDF Page A

small cave, lit by a campfire in the middle. I was lying on something soft and comfortable. The first thing I noticed after I tried to move was that my head no longer ached; however, the rest of my body was hurting all over, especially the shoulder.
    Jarvi was sitting on the ground, next to the fire, feeding it with dry twigs.
    "Good evening, Lord Arkus," he greeted me. "How are you feeling?"
    "Strange..."
    "I healed your head injury. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow."
    I see. He still wanted me to pay for catching him. Wasn't it against the rules though?
    "I thought you had promised not to seek revenge."
    "Who speaks of revenge?"
    "Isn't that why you wish me to be in pain for another day?"
    "Of course not. It's because I have used up my supernatural acts. You see, I am allowed only three a day: one bigger miracle and two small ones. The small ones can be used any time, the bigger one has to be reserved for a greater need."
    I didn't like that, but I supposed it fell under the "within the laws" part of our deal.
    "And what did you use them for?"
    "The big one to get you here; I had to conjure a carriage. Then the healing, and supper."
    "Supper?"
    "Yes, but you slept too long, so I ate it."
    "Oh, you--"
    "Just kidding!" He laughed, so happily that you'd think he just won half a kingdom. "You should see your face now, Lord Arkus. What a remarkable expression you've made. No, I didn't touch your meal, here it is."
    He stood up and offered me a tray with a steaming bowl of stew, bread, and a jug of milk. I didn't realize how hungry I was, I had not eaten since the morning.
    "In the future, I would advise you to watch out for that 'remarkable expression.' My former lackey, Shork, knew it very well and wisely took it as a signal to dodge."
    "Are you in the habit of hitting your servants?"
    "You bet. Now, shush and let me think."
    As I ate, I went through all the new information. So he could heal; he could conjure things--carriage, food--probably anything. He wasn't that useless, after all, even with the three miracles per day limit.
    "Can you conjure gold?"
    "I knew you'd ask. No. Not allowed."
    Darn. That would have helped a lot.
    "How about a castle?"
    "I thought you said you've already got one."
    "Yes, I do, but it is far away, and I cannot return there yet. I need a place to live. Unpretentious as I am, for a villain, this cave will not do."
    "Where have you lived before coming to the lake?"
    "A cheap inn. But I am out of money."
    "Very well, I will make you a house. Tomorrow."
    "I said I want a castle."
    "I heard that. There is no such need, and I cannot spend a big miracle on something not really needed. A house will suffice."
    I wanted to smack him, but he wasn't close enough.
    "Will you always contradict my orders?!"
    "Only when I must. I do not set the rules."
    "Then who does??"
    "Don't you know? Faradin, the king of all spirits."
    That was a new one on me; the scribe hadn't said anything about the king. It made sense though that spirits had one, and I couldn't blame Jarvi for not wishing to mess with someone like that.
    "Tell me something, Lord Arkus. That lizard I chased away--I take it you've got some history with him? Why is he after you?"
    "None of your business. But, since you brought him up, can you kill him?"
    "Kill? Sparklings don't do that, unless it happens in battle."
    "I thought as much."
    "Do not worry though, if he returns, as you say, and tries to attack, I will fight him off. But it would help if I knew what happened between you two."
    "I said it's none of your business! Are all sparklings so nosy?"
    "No. You've got the nosiest one."
    I sighed. Just my luck.

    ∗ ∗ ∗

    Jarvi kept his word. On the next day, first thing in the morning, I had a new house to move into--nothing special and definitely not a castle, but it would work as a temporary solution. He also healed my shoulder, as promised, spending the second miracle for the day. The third one, once again, went on food.
    As you see, I