A Wizard's Tears Read Online Free Page A

his old life. He would remember this place, fondly, forever. Perhaps one day he would draw the image of it onto paper, to cherish. He would return here, one day, and he expected that nothing would change. His parents would still be here, hugging each other in the doorway of the cottage. The animals would still chatter away to themselves. The sun, even, would still sit high in the sky, bathing all in its warm glow. It was peaceful here.
    Keldoran said his goodbyes, turned, and walked away from the cottage, carrying a few minor possessions in a small woollen bag his mother had made for him, and the clothes on his back.
Where he was going, he would collect robes.
    Demorbaln was a small village, quiet and harmless in the countryside. A place to retire, maybe. A place to raise a family, to live a peaceful and happy existence. Yet to Yvanna, the village gave her bad memories, and she could not wait to escape from it.
    Several moons ago, her mother had died here, from an unknown virus. Her father had broken down, collapsed with grief, and had become paralysed, leaving her to care for him. As the months wore on, her father finally retained the use of his limbs, and had met another woman. This gave her the chance she needed to get out. Everywhere she turned in the village she was reminded of her mother. The flowers she used to tend to, people offering condolences, the smell of her favourite drink. No more!
    Yvanna hastily packed her bags, three of them, enough bits of luggage for a trip around Elrohen and back. She would look a mess on the road to Malana, and she did not want to look a mess when she entered the fabled city of gold. There would undoubtedly be many suitors there that would whisk her away to a happy, enchanted world. She would look her best for them. So, in went oils, lotions, soaps and perfumes.
    What better way to meet such men than as a mage? The idea pleased Yvanna. She could also learn those spells that would make her look younger, more beautiful than ever, to put a shine of lustrous body to her hair. She would seduce and beguile, until she found the man rich enough and worthy enough to hold her in his arms.
Goodbye village , she thought to herself. You have done me no favours, and in return I will do you none.
    Relb stood in the market of Demorbaln, the heart of the village, and waited for the mage to arrive, the mage that would take him away from the place of his birth.
    It was definitely the time for him to leave. Thought stupid and useless by the villagers, by his old friends (as he used to call them), it was time to prove them wrong, and make a name for himself. A mage! Oh, to be a mage! That would shut them all up, would it not? How far had they gone in a career? Farmers, locksmiths and carpenters, they were. Ha! A mage, now that was something. One day he would come back and just rub it in their faces. Maybe turn one or two into flea-ridden dogs. Yes, that had a good revenge value!
    Chuckling softly to himself, Relb adjusted his cap, a crazy looking, brown leather thing, and waited patiently for his new life.
    Keldoran entered Demorbaln’s market. He had never seen so much hubbub! He rarely ventured out of the farm, especially not down here. He grinned. So this was the beginning of his new life. Lots of people chattering inanely to one another, with excited looks and jeers. Already his blood was beginning to surge inside in mounting excitement.
    They have all come out, he thought, to see the mages. Of course, it was obvious. The quiet village must always get into this fervour and tumult when the mages appear.
    Keldoran was excited to be meeting a mage. He had never spoken to one before. He had seen them, before, admired their quiet, knowing looks. His dream had started since he was a mere child, watching these towering men of magick. He held them in awe. Such power to harness inside of them, such responsibility.
    He wandered through the gathering crowd, to the nearby road. The road led to Malana, the city of