Ways of Power 1: Power Rises Read Online Free PDF

the summer. Most women found him to be irresistible, and being a young man, that was just the way he liked it.
    Once he was dressed, Rancoth headed down to the private dining room reserved for the Arch Mage and his family. Since Grecrum never married, nor had any children, he and Rancoth were usually the only ones who dined there. The room was small in comparison to most in the tower. It had a simply carved solid white oak table with room for six, allowing for intimate conversations.
    The two long walls were adorned with paintings; to the east, one of a sunrise over the plains, and to the west, a sunset behind the mountains. The two shorter walls had matching sets of pure white armor, the only difference being that the set to the north had a sword and shield emblazoned with the tower symbol, while the set to the south wielded a two-handed battle-axe.
    When Rancoth arrived the room was empty except for Sahrisa, Grecrum's favorite sustenancer. Sahrisa was a short round woman, with a bountiful chest that she enjoyed showing off whenever Grecrum was in the room. She had a pretty, kind face with rosy cheeks, and soft glowing pink eyes.
    "Good morning, Sahrisa. Has Grecrum been down for breakfast yet?" Rancoth asked as sat in a chair across from her.
    "Oh, yes, he was down just before dawn. He didn't eat much though. He was in a hurry. Something about meeting with someone called Dal'Asaid for a sunrise ceremony," she answered, not looking up from her book. One finger twirled the end of her long braided black hair.
    "Ah, now I remember, he mentioned something about that last night. Dal'Asaid is the new tribal leader of the Elfkin nation to the south. Grecrum was hoping to ensure that our trade agreements would continue to be honored."
    With that Sahrisa looked up and smiled at Rancoth. She loved hearing all about the latest gossip and politics. "Well now, that is interesting. What do you want for breakfast, Rancoth?" she asked.
    He mulled it over for a minute or two, not sure if a full stomach would conflict with the anxiety of the day to come. "I think I'll just have some bread and water if you please," deciding that perhaps it would be wise to stick with something lite.
    "Is that it? Are you sure?" she asked with an incredulous look on her face.
    "Well, maybe some yellow cheese too, but then yes, that's it please, Sahrisa," he replied.
    She stood and walked around the table to stand across from him . She was wearing a blue dress, cut low in the front; Rancoth couldn't help but steal a peek at her voluptous bosom as she summoned his food.
    " Sumdelret brisa, Sumdelret wasser, Sumdelret shess. " As she said the words of invocation, she passed her hands over the table between them, and with each word one of the food items he had asked for appeared .
    Rancoth was always fascinated with the fancy words that magi selected to use in order to invoke their power. The words themselves were not important and could be as nonsensical as the magi wanted them to be. The point was to help them focus their thoughts, so that they didn't do something by accident.
    Personally, Rancoth preferred to use plain language in all of his castings; he felt it reduced confusion, and made it easier to keep track of what he was doing. His musings were interrupted as Sahrisa finished summoning him breakfast. The bread was warm, and smelled like the bakeries in the market. It made Rancoth's mouth water with anticipation. Living in the tower had its advantages; Sahrisa always got it right.
    The loaf was the perfect golden brown color and just the right size for one person. The crust had the ideal amount of crackle to it, and the soft interior let out just a few wisps of steam when he broke the loaf in half. The cheese was a rich orange color, and had a slightly pungent flavor; it was the perfect complement to the bread in every way. Finally, the water was cool and clear. It washed the meal down and Rancoth could feel its chill as it ran down his throat. Though