The High-Wizard's Hunt: Osric's Wand: Book Two Read Online Free PDF

it. I wouldn’t want this poor lad to wet himself again for fear of a dragon attacking,” Gordyn said, nudging Dru with his elbow and producing two gold pieces and a half dozen coppers from his own pouch.
    Osric took one gold and the copper to offer Greyback. He would have a hard time convincing her to take anything at all, but he needed her to keep up the ruse.
    “Relax, Dru, she is a very docile dragon. She would probably just pout until the fare was paid. Nobody has been attacked by a dragon in years, and never over a lack of payment,” Osric reassured the Vigile, then turned and made his way back to Kenneth and Greyback. He heard Gordyn continue to talk about the strength and ferocity of dragons as he walked away. “Have you two said your goodbyes?” Osric teased.
    “Oh yeah, we even had the chance to start a budding romance.” Kenneth slapped Osric on the shoulder with a smile. “Took you long enough.”
    “Greyback, don’t object to this, please,” Osric spoke softly as he held out the payment.
    She had been laughing at Kenneth’s antics, but at his words Greyback grew silent and stared between Osric’s hand and his face.
    “I cannot accept payment from you,” Greyback whispered softly.
    “We need everyone to think that nothing has changed, Greyback. Take it, please.”
    Greyback clearly was not happy having to take the offering, and she looked around the platform anxiously. Osric felt her pain, and he didn’t want to remind her of the years spent in enslavement, but there was no way around it. He struggled with the hurt he could see in her eyes as she searched for a reason to say no. It took her a few moments to concede, and she did not wear a thankful smile.
    “I will take coppers, but I will not take gold. You can put that back in your pouch and tell them I was not happy with the amount you offered me,” Greyback growled softly as she faced Osric. Her head swung slowly toward his hand as she opened her mouth to accept the payment. Osric placed it on her tongue with a grateful smile.
    “Thanks, Greyback, this helps more than you can know.” Osric was about to walk away, but he paused and looked back. “Greyback, I have always heard that dragons eat coins to aid in digestion, but the dragons at Braya were not fed coins. Why is it really that you swallow your payment?” Osric asked quietly, glancing around to be sure he wasn’t overheard.
    Greyback cast her gaze down at the platform and Osric wondered if he had somehow offended her. “Osric, that is such a personal matter. I am surprised at you,” Greyback responded sheepishly.
    “I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that. Forgive my intrusion on your private matters. I didn’t know it was such a delicate subject.” Osric retracted the inquiry, ashamed that he had embarrassed her.
    Greyback glanced around, reassured by the distance between them and the nearest observer. With a raised eye ridge, she indicated that they should step closer to her. She rested her head on the platform and spoke in a low tone.
    “You have earned the right to ask any question you wish, but you must swear to never tell another soul. Only those who helped to free us from our bondage can know, for dragons do not want the reason being well known.”
    The soft but serious tone of her voice was sobering. Osric didn’t know how to respond, and he felt as though he was treading on ground few had traveled. He wanted to respect Greyback’s privacy, but he also felt that she was granting him a great honor, and he was unsure of how to proceed.
    “Of course, my friend, but you don’t have to answer. I was only curious.”
    “We do not actually swallow the payments.”
    Osric was taken aback. He got the impression from the change of Greyback’s tone that she was sharing a funny secret, but she had such a serious expression in her eyes. Osric struggled to understand what her statement implied.
    “We don’t mind at all that walkers believe we swallow the coins to aid