Light in the Barren Lands: Travail of The Dark Mage Book One Read Free

a moody, darker individual. Oh, he was all right for the most part, but when the darker moods hit, he kept to himself, and those around him knew better than to disturb him before the mood departed. As often as not, he would find his way to the Pits when the mood was upon him.
    Those who faced his knives during those times rarely survived. Should an opponent happen to bear a resemblance to those of the Empire, Tinok would shred him into a bloody pulp. He seemed to revel in the death and destruction the Pits allowed. And the new proprietors of the Pits were more than happy to oblige him.
    Not long after the expulsion of the Empire from Madoc, The Pits had been rebuilt, or rather, made to function. The original Boss of the Pits had never returned, so Scar and Potbelly took over, and now the Pits had become even more popular than before. The fact that the two new Bosses were close comrades to the one who was instrumental in throwing off the yolk of the Empire played no small role in its newfound prosperity. Where before the Pits was underground and considered to be criminal, now it was borderline legitimate.
    But with legitimacy came a price. No longer were fights to the death, though those still happened on occasion. Instead it was more about the fight, than the kill. Many of those who had frequented the Pits before the Empire invaded thought it was but a shadow of its former glory. But, the new Bosses could arrange a clandestine fight like the old days, if the price was right. And for those who were in the know, knew that there was the Pits, and then there was the Pits! As often as not, Tinok would fight in the latter.
    Jiron worried for his friend, but knew there was little he could do. When asked if he wished to accompany them on this trip, Tinok had declined.
    “Look!” Jira cried excitedly.
    Brought out of his reverie, Jiron followed his daughter’s little arm to where it pointed in time to see a fish splash back into the water. He glanced to his wife and grinned. Their daughter’s excitement was infectious.
    The Water Sprite emerged from the harbor and set a course to round the southern end of the narrow island, due west of Cardri. The water was smooth, the air salty, and a little girl was in heaven.
    Not long after entering open water, the Captain came forward to join them. “Good to see you again Captain,” greeted Jiron.
    From her vantage overlooking the prow, Jira glanced back to give the Captain a warm smile. Though as affable as Tobias, there was a greater sense of propriety when dealing with Captain Smythe. There would be no jumping into his arms as she had done with Toby.
    “You too Jiron,” replied Captain Smythe before giving Aleya a brief bow of respect. To Jira he asked, “Any dolphins yet?”
    Turning back to scan the water’s surface, she replied, “Not yet Captain.”
    “Keep looking,” he replied. “They usually appear before we round the horn.”
    Glancing back to him, she gave him another grin and said in her best imitation of sailor speak, “Aye, aye Captain!”
    The adults laughed as she turned back to hunt for the elusive dolphins.
    “She has grown quite a bit since last you sailed with us,” commented the Captain.
    “Yes,” agreed Aleya. “She’s becoming quite the handful.”
    Jiron laughed. It was all too true. “So Captain, do you think we will reach the island by nightfall?”
    The captain nodded. “Wind’s out of the west which will slow us, but at least the water’s calm. We’ll make it.”
    “Father!” exclaimed Jira. “Dolphins!”
    Glancing over the rail, they spied three riding the waves created by The Water Sprite’s passage. “Right on time,” commented Captain Smythe. For up ahead, the island’s horn was drawing near.
    Once around the horn, the helmsman turned them southwest as the sailors unfurled the remainder of the sails. With the sails fully extended, The Water Sprite fairly flew across the water.
     
    “Sail ho!” cried the lookout high above in the