The Wizard's Curse (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

it’s a long time since I trusted my sorcerer brothers. So for me, it does not naturally follow that because you’re my brother, I include you in everything.”
    Ancient Oak looked down at his hands for a moment then glanced back up at Tarkyn, “Well, just remember that a family is there for you to call on, in times of need. That is our code. You don’t have to, but I’m here if you need me.”
    “Thanks, Ancient Oak.” Tarkyn smiled warmly at him, “I will remember.”
    Rainstorm swallowed nervously and said in a small, strained voice, “I’m here too, you know.”
    Tarkyn’s face hardened as he swept his eyes around to look at the younger woodman. Before he could speak, Rainstorm spoke more formally than either of them had ever heard him speak before, “I am sorry, Your Highness. I can see I’ve overstepped another of your boundaries. I beg your pardon. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”
    Tarkyn’s tone was equally formal. “Rainstorm, not only were you unacceptably rude to me, you also broke my trust.” He was still clearly angry. “I would suggest that you do not try to force my hand again if you wish to retain my friendship. I will think twice before including you in my confidence in future.”
    So saying, he stood up and walked back up the track, leaving two shaken woodmen behind him. He had only gone a little way when he heard hurried footsteps coming up behind him. Tarkyn stopped and waited, arms folded, knowing that whoever was approaching was carefully warning him of his arrival since normally a woodman’s footsteps made no sound. Ancient Oak appeared beside him.
    “Well?” asked Tarkyn with raised eyebrows.
    “Tarkyn, remember when we were talking up in that old oak on the day the crowd was arguing about how you should behave?”
    Tarkyn nodded.
    Ancient Oak took a breath, “Well, you said to feel free to pull you up if you became too arrogant or dismissive.”
    Tarkyn waited.
    “So, I’ve come to say that I think you were too harsh with Rainstorm.”
    “Do you? And is he a particular friend of yours that you stand up for him like this?”
    Ancient Oak shook his head and smiled, “No. But he’s a particular friend of yours and he just gave you the most handsome apology I’ve ever heard him give anyone and you rejected it.”
    Tarkyn frowned, “He made me very angry. I have never had anyone speak to me like that in my entire life…. and I have no intention of allowing it to continue.” His mouth twitched in a half smile, “There is only so much familiarity I can handle. No matter how close people come to me, they must still treat me with respect.” Seeing Ancient Oak’s face tense, he added, “I expect myself to treat people around me with respect too. It is not a one way expectation.”
    “You could argue that he’s treating you with respect because he treated you as he would one of his other friends.”
    The prince shrugged. “Yes. You could argue that and you might be right. And yet, I’m afraid I cannot tolerate that level of familiarity. But I am also angry that he told you about the oath when we had agreed to tell no one.”
    “Apparently you told him it would be time to tell everyone soon. So he didn’t think it mattered as much, now the rescue was over.”
    “And do you think he should have told you as he did?”
    Ancient Oak shook his head reluctantly. “No. He was definitely being cheeky to tell me like that. It should have been left up to you.”
    Tarkyn gave a slow smile, “But he’s young, impetuous, passionate and it is second nature to him to push the boundaries. And I guess that’s why I like him. After all, he defied all his elders to untie me when I first met the forestals.” Tarkyn turned on his heel. “Very well. I’ll go back down and put him out of his misery.”
    When they arrived back at the stream, Rainstorm was sitting where Tarkyn had left him, methodically breaking bits off the end of a stick, just as Tarkyn always did. As they