The Mage of Orlon: The beginning Read Online Free

3
    “ Lela, what is it? A rash, a stick stuck in my back, a leach what is it? ” The panic had only climbed with each thing he thought it could be.
    Softly Lela answered him “ You have the Grim Griffin mark. It is a tattoo that marks you as the next mage of Orlon. ”
    “ A tattoo? I never got a tattoo, what are you talking about? ”
    “ Nate, you really do not know do you? Lela ’ s patients where growing thin.
    Nate only shook his head no, keeping his mouth shut to avoid any more trouble.
    Finally she spoke, “ When the mage dies another is chosen to take his place. Zorn was Orlon ’ s last mage, but he died six months ago. When no one came forward with the mark the people believed he was the last of the mages. ”
    With an uneasy feeling Nate asked, “ How did Zorn die? ”
    “ Nate if you have the mark, then you already know how Zorn died. Have you had any bad dreams lately like you were being killed only it felt like someone else? ”
    Nate paled as he retold the last part of his dream. “ An enchanted arrow hit him in the chest while he protected the village from arrows raining down on them. ”
    They walked in silence for what seemed an eternity, finally Nate spoke.
    “ Lela, I am about to become a mage, so I will be using magic right? ”
    “ I suppose so, why do you ask? ”
    “ I wasn ’ t very good with the sleight of hand stuff where I am from, what if I am no good at the real thing? ”
    “ Then you will die quickly. ” She stated flatly.
    “ This isn ’ t my fight! ” he nearly screamed. “ You said it yourself I have no weapons, and no experience, I shouldn ’ t even be here! ”
    “ Sometimes we do not get to choose where life takes us. Sometimes just surviving has to be enough. ”
    “ Sounds like you are talking more about yourself than me Lela. ”
    “ My affairs are none of your business human! ” she snapped. “ Furthermore, when we get to the palace you will be someone else ’ s problem, now move! ”
    “ You are awful defensive. ” Nate countered.
    The sound of the leather creaking as it tightened around the hilt of her knife was all the answer she supplied.
    Nate waited as long as he could, feeling as if going to the castle might be worse than staying in the forest, he again tried to speak to the ever growing irate Princess.
    “ Lela, you seem to be angrier now than when we first met, what is wrong? ” Nathan asked.
    “ I told you that is my business! ” Lela snapped.
    “ I won ’ t go any further, if you don ’ t talk to me. ”
    With as quiet growl Lela whirled around to see Nathan standing four feet behind her.
    “ I could shoot you again, and this time it could be in the leg! ” Lela challenged.
    Nathan sat down. The act of defiance boggled the Princess ’ s mind, he simply sat down! She could shoot him, and he sat down! The two things didn ’ t add up. Lela stalked back to where Nathan sat, her brow furrowed with rage as her prisoner just simply sat there with a content look on his face.
    “ I …” Lela began only to be cut off by Nathan.
    “ If you shoot me you will have to carry me, and no offense Princess, but as strong as you might be I will get heavy after the first fifty feet! ”
    Lela ’ s rage turned black as the darkest night! She was going to kill this stupid human! She would stab him and cut him to shreds, but she might leave him alive enough to feel the night ’ s predators tear at his bloodied remains! The thought never left her mouth as Nathan opened his backpack and pulled out a colorful envelope of something. Opening the pouch, Nathan held the end towards Lela.
    “ Do you want some granola? ” He asked casually.
    Lela ’ s fury diminished; in fact her anger went completely calm. Lela ’ s eyes went big, the human had broken her! What kind of spell could tear away such rage? With an exasperated sigh Lela sat down with Nathan. She eyed the pack of granola as if it would attack her.
    “ What did you do to me human? ” She asked