The Awakened Mage Read Online Free PDF

necessaries with me.”
    Asher nodded. “Reckon Gar’ll appreciate that. And the king.”
    “Yes, well…” For a moment, fresh grief threatened. Then Holze mastered himself and flapped a hand at Jarralt. “Don’t just stand there, Conroyd! Go!”
    Trailing after them, Asher waited until Gar was stowed safe and silent in the lushly upholstered vehicle with Conroyd Jarralt by his side. “Take His Highness to the palace infirmary, my lord,” he said as the carriage door was pulled shut between them. “I reckon Nix must be waiting for him on pins and needles.”
    Jarralt’s handsome face was all sharp lines and smooth planes. Cold. Remote. Like the Flatlands in the depths of winter. “Yes. I expect he is.”
    “My lord. ..” Asher hesitated, then plunged on. “I can’t believe this weren’t a terrible accident, but if Captain Orrick finds otherwise … you have to know. Gar ain’t the one responsible.”
    For a little while Jarralt sat in continued silence. Then he turned his head, just enough, and met Asher’s gaze directly. “Nor am I.”
    Asher nodded. Lied. “I believe you. Sir.”
    Jarralt’s look was icy enough to freeze a man solid where he stood. “And what makes you think I give one good damn about what you do or don’t believe?” His hand slapped the carriage door’s painted panel. “Coachman! To the Tower!”
    Pellen Orrick patted Asher’s shoulder as he joined him in the middle of the road. Together they watched the glim-lit carriage disappear around the first bend. “Well done, Asher,” he said. “A nasty moment neatly turned. If ever you get tired of life in the prince’s employ I’m sure I could find a place for you in the Guard.”
    “I got to go,” said Asher. His head was aching so badly he thought it might explode. “There’s folks back at the Tower wondering what’s amiss, and prob’ly ready to raise the roof by now. What are you goin’ to do about the bodies?”
    “Tonight?” Orrick shrugged. “Nothing. Even with magic and glimfire it’s too dangerous to retrieve them in the dark. I’ll leave the lads here to keep watch and return with help at first light.”
    Cautiously, Asher nodded. “Just one problem with that. You’re forgettin’ Matcher. We got his wife and family sit-tin’ at home as we speak, expectin’ him to walk through the door any minute. And then there’s the lads at the palace stables. They’ll miss the horses.”
    “Damn,” said Pellen Orrick. “Yes. All right. Leave it to me. I’ll send senior officers. Make sure the news doesn’t spread.”
    “Fine,” he said, relieved. “So I’ll be off, then. See you tomorrow some time.”
    Orrick nodded. “Yes. You will.”
    Asher trudged away. Cygnet was anxiously pleased to see him, all snorts and whickers and impatient stamping. Holze conjured a small ball of traveling glimfire to light his way home and blessed him with unsteady hands.
    “You served Barl well tonight, young man,” the cleric said as Asher hauled himself into the saddle. “I shall remember you in my prayers.”
    Looking down at him, Asher nodded. “Reckon we’re all goin’ to need prayin’ for by the time this mess is sorted.”
    “Indeed,” Holze said soberly. “Indeed.” And stood back as Asher clapped his heels to Cygnet’s sides and bounded away.
    It wasn’t till he was long past Jarralt’s sedately traveling carriage and almost back at the Tower that Asher realized he’d spent the last little while giving orders to some of the most powerful Doranen in the kingdom … and the Doranen had obeyed him.
     
     
    Arrived at last in the Tower stable yard, after handing Cygnet over to Boonie for a rubdown and his mash, he found Matt tending a colt that had kicked its way out of a transport cart and was pincushioned with splinters for its trouble. A look and a headshake were all he needed to give the bad news. Matt’s face lost some color, and his hands shook a little as he eased another spike of wood from the