Fate's Hand Read Free Page A

their own biddings. To remain undiscovered, he would have to finish his plans in the abyss quickly after Yusar obtained the book. He smiled at the thought of his brothers' faces when his plans were finished.
    Yusar sat at his desk, tapping his long nails on the ebony surface. The imp, Yarsik, would be back soon with the information he had asked for. As if on cue, the flames from the brazier lit up and the imp hopped out onto the floor.
    "Well?" Yusar said, ready to end the suspense.
    "The prince of the seventh wants the book to gain his father’s favor. It holds the secret for Baal’s transformation to his former self."
    Yusar thought the words over and studied the imp to discover any lies. As far as Yarsik knew, it was the truth, so Yusar was satisfied.
    "Fine. You are dismissed."
    The imp hopped back into the fires, happy to return to his home. The book will be of no value to me, but I will still read it over for anything interesting , Yusar thought.
     

 
    As the trees broke away and Val entered a clearing with Jerib, his heart was stilled. A quaint house sitting on a lush, grassy hill was before him. A thin brook trickled close by and there was a makeshift barn to the side. Gabby trotted past Val with a fully healed leg to go drink from the slow-running waters. As the horse passed by the house and barn, the place came alive with movement. Birds, reptiles, and furry forest creatures flew, slithered, and scurried to and fro, all the while filling the air with their sounds. A mockingbird flew around Jerib's head, wildly flapping its wings while squawking. Jerib threw his hands up and waved them around, irritated,
    "I know, dummy! I brought him here!" The bird, apparently satisfied, flew back to a nearby branch to sit and issue the occasional squawk he couldn’t seem to hold in.
    "I swear, he was the best town crier in all the land in a previous life...if you believe in that sort of thing," Jerib said.
    Val smiled and took in the calm air of the beautiful woodland sanctuary. Rays of light shone down through the nearby trees, making it a place of both shadows and warmth.
    "It's not much, but its home."
    "It’s beautiful."              
    "Come on, let’s go inside and rest our feet."
    The inside of the cottage smelled of dirt and fresh cut grass. Around the hearth, the floor was a soft and cool grass. Val closed his eyes and wiggled his toes, letting the cold blades slide between them.
    "Have to enjoy the small things, son."
    Val opened his eyes, embarrassed. "Yes, sir, sorry. Um, you said you could find my sister?"
    Jerib waved his staff into the air. "Ah, yes, your adventure awaits. No need to apologize. I was young once, also —ten foot tall and invincible. But that’s another story. Wait here a moment while I grab what I need."
    Jerib returned a few minutes later with a small pewter bowl, a pitcher of some liquid, and a small squirrel on his shoulder.
    "I will divine the location of your sister if you have something of hers?"
    "I have been using her waterskin," Val said, removing the item from his bag.
    "That will do just fine, if she is still alive." Val’s jaw tightened but he said nothing. Jerib poured the water over Daria’s waterskin and let the water run into the bowl. He recited a few incantations, his hands hovering over the edge of the bowl, eyes closed. Val stared intensely on the water for any image. After a few moments, Jerib said sternly, "Go wait outside if you can’t sit still." Val looked at him, startled, but began to rise. Jerib opened one eye and smiled at Val.
    “ No, not you, my boy." Jerib shrugged his shoulder to indicate the squirrel thoroughly cleaning his fur. He shrugged his shoulder with more force, but all he got was a slight squeak from the creature. Jerib sighed and dropped his hands. "One track mind." He reached into his pocket and grabbed a few nuts. He waved them at the squirrel before tossing them out an open window. The squirrel scampered over Jerib’s head and