The Ways of Mages: Two Worlds Read Online Free Page B

.“ I think the Lord is trying to tell me somethin g …”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Three- Kabe r’ s Inn and Eatery
    “ Time has a habit of repeating itsel f … ” Bendon D’ Armis.
                                                           
    Present Day- Pershara
    Gawin felt the bitter cold rush of a winter wind against his chee k– reminding him that the snows would return in earnest soon enough.  It had been unseasonably warm the last several days. The snows had melted and the roads were often muddy.  Jewel seemed to like the mud, a fact Gawin found most unladylike. Still, it was hard not to grin when she would see a large stretch of it in the road. She would deliberately pranced her horse s’ feet to splatter everyone - giggling the whole time.  The last time she did it, Bendon had shared his smile of amusement. There was something else in the old ma n’ s eye, a sense of longing almost. It was only there for the barest of moments...
    The weather had changed overnight. They were back in the icy grip of winter. The going was more treacherous. A light snow had covered deep frozen tracks in the mud, making footing awkward.
    Gawin turned in his saddle to face his riding companions .“ We should be about half an hour out of South Point .” He said over the rising wind .“ You can see how the roa d’ s chewed up.  More people are using it . ”
    The lanky engineer looked at Bendon, Tommy, and Kindra.  All three were bundled up tightly in sweaters and heavy cloaks; much the same as he and Jewel. Though Bendon had his red cloak on as well.  Only Robert seemed at ease in the biting cold. The old man wore a heavy cloak and a type of woolen riding cap that had been in fashion more than fifty years ago. Still, he wore no sweater that Gawin could see and he kept his hood back. As always, he had that odd black sword of his strapped on his hors e’ s right side. On his left he had a long wooden tube made out of something he called bamboo which he used to carry his engineering drawings and designs.
    Gawin and Robert had spent much of their free time in the evenings working on those design s– a fact which had started to irritate the younger ma n’ s new wife. Still, Gawin was looking forward to an evening by a warm fire in some South Point inn with Jewel on one side and Robert, the plans, a slide rule and a protractor on the other. Gawin did n’ t really know what they were designing.  Robert would only say that it could be used to take trips.  Gawin did n’ t really mind the mystery. Robert would hand him small pieces, the designs of which had stumped the older man.  Gawin would work the problem over in his mind for a few days. Once he had figured out how to solve the problem he and the older man would do the calculations and set Gawi n’ s solution to paper. Gawin suspected the only thing preventing Robert from completing whatever this was on his own was a lack of training in the art of calculus.
    Jewe l’ s horse stumbled on a hidden rut and he was jolted out of his day dream .“ You OK ?” He asked while reaching out a hand to steady her.
    “ I think I’ ll never be warm again .” She answered through gritted teeth .“ Other than that, I’ m fine . ”
    Gawin grinned .“ I bet I can warm you up .” He teased.
    “ Is that all you think about ?” She asked in mock anger.
    “ Hey, you said it yourself; w e’ ve got prophesy to fulfill . ”
     
    “ Is that the only reason ?” She said in a suddenly sullen voice.
    He raised her gloved hand which he was holding while they rode and kissed it .“ No. I t’ s just a handy excuse to be close to you .” Gawin kissed her hand again .“ I love you, Jewel .” Gawin continued, his voice losing its teasing lilt .“ I always have. I always will. Until the end of time if need be . ”
    “ Better answer - Pencil Boy !” She said with a smile. She had taken to calling him that