The Missing Mage Read Online Free

him.
    Verin released himself from her clutches, cleared his throat and gave her a low formal bow. “Lady Avera Albet of Balta, may I present to you Nathan Stoneblood, late of Elderwood, hero of Balta.”
    Nathan did not know what to do, should he hug his aunt or bow to her? How does one address family when they are part of the royal family? Growing up in a small village had some disadvantages when it came to formal etiquette. Nathan decide best to go with formal so not to offend anyone. He rose from his chair and stood straight before lowering into a bow like Verin had previously done. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Avera.”
    “Ignore your uncle. He is being a pain in the ass. You don’t need to bow to me, and it’s Aunt Avera or simply Avera. Now get over here and give me a hug, while your uncle explains this hero business. If he has already placed you in danger I am going to lose my mind.” Avera spoke as she went to hug Nathan.
    Verin and the king laughed at this exchange. Teasing Avera was a favorite pastime of the brothers. “No sister, I did not put the boy in danger, but he did save my life and many others today.” Verin explained to Avera and the king how Nathan had shot the fire mage from the watchtower, causing the mage to blow himself up, as well as most of the archers around him. Verin went on, filling the king in on the rest of the conflict’s details.
    Avera gave Nathan another hug and glared at her brother. “You may be a hero to the rest of Balta, but I know the truth about you two scoundrels. While you two have been playing hero I have been chatting with this young man’s friends. I know all about you, Nathan Stoneblood.”
    Nathan felt a little sheepish. ”I am no hero. I got lucky today. Verin is crazy for thinking I could make that shot. Besides, even having a magic bow, all I did was miss two shots and barely hit the mage on the third. It really was luck. And I’m afraid to ask what you talked about.”
    The king interrupted. With a smile on his face, he explained the magnitude of Nathan’s effort. “Nathan I have over a hundred bowmen in my army. Not one could hit the mage from the city wall. You fired from farther away and still hit the target. Verin has told me about your magic blood and while that helps explain how you fired a shot such a long distance, it doesn’t lessen the significance of what you did today. Many lives were saved by your actions, and I thank you. Now, would someone please tell me about these girls? “
    Between Avera and Verin, Nathan’s story came out once more. (Besides a few key points where Nathan would interject to down play the events.) Once the story was finished, Avera announced her intentions to have the girls come live with her.
    “Those young women have been through so much, and Nathan here is the only family they have left, even if it’s not by blood. They shall stay with me for as long as they like. Nathan you are welcome to stay with me as well, but you do have choices. There are rooms in the castle for you but my estate has plenty of rooms and my door will always be open to you.”
    Nathan was glad Avera would be looking after the girls, it was good that his family was embracing him and his friends so wholeheartedly. “Thank you lad….Aunt Avera, I’m grateful that the girls will live with you. I think I might like to as well, but if it’s okay I would like to discuss it with Verin first.”
    “Of course dear, whatever you decide is fine. Despite my brother’s horrendous battle tactics, I do trust his judgment. Once you two have talked, you can let me know what your plans are. Now, when we have dinner tonight I don’t want any of your men talking about this duke, or anything that has happened to the girls in the last few months. They are going to have a difficult time with the trauma of been held captive and are going to need a lot of support. Especially from you Nathan, you are the link between our world and them. They need to know