Dark King Of The North (Book 3) Read Free Page A

time.”
    “It’s about time.” Kron smirked. “We could use a solid mage.”
    Markwood chuckled. “I’m little more than an old codger.”
    “What of other mages watching?” Randall asked. “Will they be of help?
    “There are few wizards in Bond with any real combat experience,” Markwood said, “and the political situation is delicate. No, they will only watch, unless the situation turns grim and the Chief Councilor orders them to intervene. I’m afraid I’m the best you’ve got.”
    “You will be more than enough,” Kron said.
    “I am relatively light and could ride with Randall if he has no qualms about it,” Markwood said, “but I could use a rest after transferring myself here from Bond. Or is it too early to break for food?”
    “Quite,” Kron said. “We’ve plenty of daylight left.”
    “I don’t think it would hurt to slow down for a while, would it?” Randall asked.
    Kron’s look said he disagreed, but he realized the issue was not worth arguing about. He shrugged.
    “It’s settled then.” Markwood removed a leather bag with a strap from inside his robes and opened the top flap to reveal a sizable cooked bird wrapped in long, green leaves and numerous bread rolls, steam still rising from them. “From Ezra’s shop in the bazaar,” the old wizard explained with a smile.
    “Thank Ashal for decent food,” Randall said, his mouth watering.

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
    That evening the three shared the best meal Randall and Kron had eaten in more than a month. During the night each man took a shift as watchman for their camp. It had been many years since the old wizard had traveled in secret with danger surrounding him, but he took to it like a tried-and-true adventurer. In the morning Markwood even had a breakfast of fried eggs awaiting his companions. From where the wizard had pulled the eggs and an iron skillet was a mystery, but Kron and Randall were not about to balk at such a meal. Markwood also offered to place protective wards over them, saving Randall from expending his own energy for such a spell.
    By the time the sun was above the tops of the treeline and the mountains far to the east, they were already on their way north through the gray, desolate land with Markwood and Randall sharing a steed, the old wizard riding behind the younger.
    The conversation of the morning quickly turned to their options.
    “We could try stealthing our way into Mogus Potere,” Kron suggested. “Surely you know of secret pathways and such, Randall.”
    “I do,” the healer said, “but we don’t know for sure if my father will be in the city.”
    “I could likely find Verkain and get us to him, but what then?” Markwood said. “He might attack immediately, calling down all his powers and whatever military forces he has available, and that would be the end of that. Either we would enter combat, and likely die, or we would have to flee. Either way, nothing would be accomplished.”
    “I could just go to him,” Randall said.
    Markwood and Kron glared at the young man.
    “It might sound insane,” Randall said, “but he’s not going to have me killed the second I’m found. He’ll want to do it himself.”
    “That’s out of the question,” Markwood said. “It would mean your death sentence, and Verkain is powerful enough to keep me at bay, at least for a while. Kron and I would not be able to protect you.”
    Randall glanced over his shoulder at the wizard. “If we go skulking around the countryside, sooner or later we’re going to be found any way.”
    “That’s true,” Markwood said, “but before we are in front of Verkain, we should have some sort of plan. Randall, we need to know your full intentions.”
    “I don’t know.” The healer appeared dejected. “I just want to end all this madness. I’m tired of my life being in jeopardy all the time, and I’m tired of fearing for those around me.”
    “Talking to your father will likely not bring about the results you