Wrath Games Read Online Free PDF Page A

eyes. “Thank you, sir.”
    “Don’t thank me until you’ve heard what role I’m giving you in this army.”

 
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
    The warden of Glaine’s prison seemed worried after Jaymes Jorgan gave his name.
    “Is there something you need from my prison?” the warden asked.
    “How many pyforial mages are here?”
    “Two.”
    That seemed like an awfully small number to me. Did there used to be more and they’d committed suicide?
    Jaymes didn’t raise an eyebrow. “Take us to them.”
    The warden made a gesture to follow him. “If you don’t mind me asking, why do you wish to see our pyforial mages?”
    “They might be joining us in this fight.”
    The prison was dank, with crowded cells of quiet prisoners. It smelled closer to death the farther we went into its depths.
    “They’re in the back, in solid cells, sir. But I don’t think you’ll want either of them. The man is old and lost his mind many years ago. The woman is young but weak. She cries and constantly threatens to take her own life unless someone speaks with her.”
    “Speaks with her about what?”
    “Anything, sir. She just wants to talk. A guard spends an hour outside her door each day listening to the strange things she says.”
    “Commander Jorgan?” Shara asked.
    “What is it?”
    “I’m curious why I’m here. Isn’t it dangerous to let a pyforial mage out of a cell?”
    “You’re here so I could speak to you on the way. If you’re afraid, wait outside.”
    Shara stopped and tapped her chin. Then she changed her mind, running to catch up.
    “I’m too curious,” she admitted, hooking her arm around mine. “Don’t hesitate to subdue them if they look like they’re going to attack.”
    Normally, I wouldn’t be nervous about a pyforial mage. I was one, and I wasn’t dangerous. But Eizle hadn’t been dangerous, either, until he’d spent a year in prison, and I didn’t know how long the two we’d be visiting had dwelt in solitude.
    “I’ll be ready,” I reassured Shara.
    “The old man’s cell is here.” The warden pointed to a rusted door of bronze, an open square at the bottom just tall and wide enough for a bucket. “He doesn’t like loud noises.”
    “Tell me what else you know about him,” the commander said.
    “He’s been in that cell for longer than I’ve worked here, over twenty years. I don’t know what he did with pyforial energy, just that he used it. It’s rare to get more than two words out of him that make sense.”
    “What’s his name?”
    The warden’s mouth flattened. “His name?”
    A small fire burned behind the commander’s eyes. “He has a name, hasn’t he? Even pets have names.”
    “If he does, then he no longer knows it.”
    Jaymes shook his head. The warden glanced at the floor.
    The commander crouched in front of the hole and spoke in a soft voice for the first time since I’d met him. “Hello. Can you hear me?”
    There was no reply from the other side.
    “I’m sure he can hear you,” the warden said.
    “What’s your name?” Jaymes tried, a bit louder than before.
    A voice croaked out, “Naaaame.”
    “Yes, what is your name?”
    Laughter started. “What is your name?”
    “I am Commander Jaymes Jorgan, the army commander of the North. I’m here to—”
    “What is your name!” the old man interrupted. “What is your name!”
    “I’m here to recruit pyforial mages like yourself if they’re lucid and able. Do you understand what I’m asking?”
    “Pyforial mages. Mages who py for you. I know py. Grab. Grab. Grab.”
    “Move away!” I urged him as I felt the energy gathering.
    But Jaymes wasn’t quick enough. His right leg shot forward toward the hole as he slid on his back, the rest of his limbs flailing. He caught himself against the wall with his other foot, then flew up and slammed his hands and chest against it. It looked like a shark was trying to take him in its jaws as he struggled to keep his foot out of the cell. Shara screamed as