The (sort of) Dark Mage (Waldo Rabbit) Read Online Free PDF

into a large pocket.
     
    His mother’s long black hair was tangled and messy. The occasional strands of grey were getting more numerous and noticeable, as were the lines radiating from the corner of her eyes. His mother was still a beautiful woman and more powerful than she had ever been, but there was no denying that she was getting older. (Not that Waldo would ever say so out loud. He wasn’t suicidal.)
     
    “Did everything go well mother?” Waldo asked as he took his seat.
     
    “No it did not, but we’ll discuss that after dinner.”
     
    Waldo felt a sudden nervousness. Growing up in this family he’d learned to be wary of any change in routine. His mother had never discussed meetings with the Council with him before.
     
    “Did something special happen?”
     
    Lilith turned to face her son and spoke a simple reminder, "I dislike repeating myself. Must I?"
     
    "No, Mother.  Please, forgive me." He apologized quietly.
     
    She nodded and then glanced to her left at the empty seat. Zombies didn’t have very good table manners and preferred to devour their food raw, and preferably still alive. When Walter joined them he usually just had half of a pig carcass placed on a large silver tray. “Your brother did not want to dine with us today. Did anything happen between you two?”
     
    Waldo shrugged. “Nothing unusual, he just tried to attack me twice.”
     
    His mother nodded slightly, that was rather routine. “Why haven’t you destroyed him?”
     
    “Do you want me too?”
     
    “No, but that was not my question. He has tried to kill you many times, he is your enemy.”
     
    Never spare an enemy. Never show mercy . Those were rules that had been drilled into him since childhood. He hesitated and answered carefully, his mother had regularly tested his other siblings. She had never really tested him before but it was certainly possible. “He is no real threat to me, and… and I know you would not be happy if I destroyed him.”
     
    A slight grin touched her lips, but it only made her appear sadder. “You have always been a thoughtful child.”
     
    Just what does that mean ?
     
    She gestured to one of the waiting slaves and trays of food were brought out of the kitchen.
     
    “Let’s just have a nice meal together.”
     
    “Yes mother.”
     
    The slaves brought out a small feast for just the two of them. They both picked at their food in near silence. Freshly baked bread, roast pork, beef, chicken and other delicacies went untouched and Waldo guessed the slaves would get to enjoy them.
     
    Something very strange was going on.
     
    Everything had been normal this morning before she had set out for the council meeting. It did not take a genius to see that something had happened there. His mother ran the family affairs completely on her own. Whatever occurred must have been of great importance if she felt the need to discuss it with him.
     
    Once the dishes had been cleared away, and the slaves had departed, she told him what was going on.
     
    “It’s time Waldo. You will be leaving on your First Quest tomorrow.”
     
    Waldo blinked. “Oh.”
     
    His mother lifted a single eyebrow and looked slightly amused. “Is that all you have to say? ‘Oh?’”
     
    “Well, I am sixteen, and it’s not like I didn’t know this day was coming. I… I would have liked a little more warning I suppose.”
     
    “This is how it has always been done. You have been preparing for this since the day of your birth. You should not need any more time.”
     
    “You’re right mother, of course I am ready.” Inside Waldo was anything but sure of that. “I will come back with servants and piles of treasure. I will definitely make you proud.”
     
    “Servants and piles of treasure,” his mother echoed quietly. “Will you also bring back the heads of the enemies you have killed?”
     
    “I… I will try to.” Waldo answered hesitantly. “I will do my best.”
     
    “Is that what you’ll say when