Magus (Advent Mage Cycle) Read Online Free Page A

typical of Haben. "Ah. Well, he is. He's also a Breaker—if he hits anything with both hooves at the same time, whatever he hits will break."
    "That's handy," Hazard noted. " Ain , Night. I'm Hazard Harewood."
    " A pleasure, Hazard. "
    Belatedly, I finished the introductions. There were polite greetings, and I could tell by the way that Night studied Xiaolang that he was intrigued by the man. I had filled him in the night before, while doing some very quick packing, so he knew what the captain was. He was being studied in return by everyone at the table. Night didn't seem to mind, probably sensing that it was because they were curious about him as well.
    Eagle finally made his appearance, looking very sleep deprived. By mutual consent, no one talked to him until he had downed three cups of tea. Once he looked semi-intelligent again, Xiaolang gave him a pointed look and a droll, "Good morning, Eagle."
    "Er…morning, Captain." The blond was wearing a very sheepish expression.
    "Do I have to take your books away from you?"
    Eagle flushed and ducked his head. "Sorry, sir. I've just forgotten a lot, and to be really prepared for going into Chahir—"
    Xiaolang raised a hand, stopping him. "Eagle, stop, I'm not upset. But leave your books packed, all right? Magus Rhebengarthen has promised to work with all of us as we travel. He's a better way of reviewing Chahirese than your books, anyway."
    Eagle shot me a grateful look. "You don't mind, Magus?"
    "Garth," I corrected. "And no, it will be my pleasure."
    "Thanks," Eagle responded happily. The look he gave his captain included him in that thank you.
    "Good," Xiaolang stated with satisfaction. "Then eat, I don't want to hear any hungry stomachs later. Garth, only Eagle has ever actually set foot in Chahir. What can you tell us about the country?"
    "It's colder than Hain," I answered promptly. "With it approaching fall like it is, we'll need heavy coats and gloves. And hats. Hats are very popular in Chahir."
    "It'll help to cover our hair as well," Aletha noted. "Eagle and Shield won't have a problem, being blonds, but the rest of us won't blend in as well."
    "There are a few brunettes that crop up from time to time," I ruminated thoughtfully as I looked over the group. "Xiaolang could pass, with his fair skin, but you and Hazard won't have a prayer. You're just too dark."
    "I can do something about that," Chatta offered in a questioning tone.
    Xiaolang leaned forward so he could see around me, and look directly at her. "Oh? In what way?"
    "There are potions that can turn a person's skin and hair into different colors," she informed him. "They only last about twelve hours, but I can make them look Chahiran." She paused suddenly and gave me a concerned look. "Will they be able to detect that?"
    "I'm not sure," I said slowly.
    "Witch Delheart, you're speaking cryptically," Xiaolang complained.
    "Chatta," she corrected him with a slight smile. "I'm not a formal person either. But in answer, Chahir has ways of detecting when magic is used."
    "Which is how they hunt down magical people," Aletha said in sudden understanding.
    I nodded in grim acknowledgement. "The only time I triggered the alarms, it was something very minor. Those alarms are very sensitive. Still, I'm not sure if potions would be enough to give you away. Potions are not active magic, not really. There's no build up of power when you use them, which is what I think actually sets those alarms off."
    "But you're not sure," Xiaolang stated, his eyes searching mine.
    "No," I was forced to admit. "That part of the process, how they detect magic, has always been a closely guarded secret. I'm not precisely sure how they do it."
    "If we're to have a prayer of success, we better figure it out," Shield noted.
    "Hazard," Xiaolang commanded quietly. "That will be your task."
    Hazard nodded once. "Understood, sir."
    "I'll help you with that," Chatta volunteered. " I have ways of detecting magic too."
    He blinked, but smiled in