The Sartious Mage (The Rhythm of Rivalry) Read Free Page B

ten guards stood like statues.
    “You did well, Jek. Harwin still doesn’t even know the real reason he’s here.” The King’s voice had an accent of nobility, with a fluffiness to each word as if he was about to laugh at me for not speaking the same way.
    “You won’t harm him, right?”
    “No. I keep my promises.”
    I couldn’t help but give a look to Micah Vail while the King paused for a sip from his gold chalice. Micah’s head was lowered slightly, as if alluding to something. The way his eyes moved between the King and me gave me a sense he was trying to show me he knew what the King was about to say. But I still had no clue what it was.
    “Why are you here?” Danvell asked me.
    I felt my head snap back from the silly question. “You know I’m here for the cure to my darkness.”
    He took another sip. “I think you’re here for more than that.” He spoke slowly, with a cadence like he had more to say.
    “No, just that,” I blurted, trying to speed this up.
    He let out a disapproving grunt, obviously unhappy to have his dramatic speech interrupted.
    I didn’t care. Why didn’t he just give me the cure? I took out the contract and held it awkwardly, unsure if I should approach him. “The contract,” I said softly.
    A guard came from the wall, took it from my hand, and walked it to King Danvell.
    “What are these holes?” the King asked in disgust.
    “It’s actually one hole.” I pointed awkwardly. “But it was rolled up when that hole was made.”
    It felt like I was on trial. I didn’t understand why. I was just there to pick up my reward and hopefully see Harwin one more time before I left to make sure he was safe.
    “Why are you so eager to lose your magic ability?” the King asked. This time he continued quickly, not giving me the chance to speak. “I think you don’t realize your full potential. Have you thought about how much good you can do before you’re cured of this darkness you speak of?” His hand fluttered about as if he was talking about a small grievance.
    It made me realize he still had no idea how terrible my darkness was. More importantly, it meant he probably thought he could offer me something else.
    “You may have just single-handedly stopped a war,” he continued. “Don’t you wish to continue to help your king?”
    I folded my arms, grazing a finger over the wand on my belt. “Yes, but don’t I deserve what I was promised?”
    “It seems a little selfish, don’t you think?”
    “Selfish?” I didn’t like where this conversation was going. “I know what you’re trying to do, but there’s nothing I want more than the cure.”
    “Nothing?” Danvell replied with a raised eyebrow. “You can’t be sure about that until you hear what I have to offer.”
    Damn my curiosity. I knew he could see it in my face. He gave a wry smile. There was nothing in the world I wanted more than my cure, but that didn’t mean I had thought of everything obtainable in the world.
    “What are you offering me instead?” I finally asked.
    “You grew up on a farm somewhere near The Nest, correct?”
    I nodded hesitantly.
    “What does every farmer want more than anything?”
    “Control over the weather?” I shrugged.
    The corner of his mouth folded. “Besides that.”
    Micah leaned over the King to hold a watch in front of him.
    “Yes, I see,” the King said quietly. He made an impatient rolling gesture toward me with his open hand. “What do farmers want? Get it out.”
    “Not having to pay taxes,” I guessed again. Sannil often complained about never knowing how much he would be charged when the taxman showed up. But if the King was going to offer money, I was prepared to laugh.
    Danvell gave a discouraging sigh and took another sip from his chalice. “The issue here is that you don’t know what’s best for you,” he said coldly. “You think all you need is the cure to one issue.” He raised a finger. “But once that issue is solved, you’ll have many