Read Online Color Mage (Book 1) by Anne Marie Lutz - Free Book Online Page A

remained unnaturally still as Kirian examined the injured shoulder. His fixed stare remained on Lord Callo’s face. Kirian knew she was hurting the boy, but Callo’s voice talked on, calm and relaxing like mellweed, and did not stop until she had finished.
    Then Cam moved, staring at Kirian, his eyes wide.
    “All is well, Cam,” she said. “The bleeding has almost stopped by itself, and no bones are broken. Go and reassure your mother, and then come to Ruthan’s house so I can tend to the wound.”
    Cam stood, not even wobbly any more. “But he said . . .”
    “Yes, just a moment, Healer.” Callo took the boy’s hand and led him to the mare. Cam stood taller as they walked. Miri snorted and tossed her head. Callo laid a hand on the mare’s neck and stroked her.
    “Cam, this is Miri. She is descended from a long line of Leyish purebreds, so she is strong and fast, but sometimes she is nervous as well. I’m sorry she hurt you.”
    Cam hesitated. Then he stroked the mare’s neck. Miri looked at him with her soft brown eyes and whickered. The boy broke into a smile.
    “See, she feels friendly to you now,” Callo said.
    Cam held out his palm, and Miri snuffled it with her soft nose.
    “Come up to the Castle stable sometime, and ask one of the grooms to let you see her. You can look around at the other horses, as well. I’ll leave word it’s all right. Would you like that?”
    Cam nodded, speechless. Then he gave a hurried bow and ran off to his waiting mother.
    Lord Callo loosed Miri’s rein and turned her away from the small crowd that had gathered. He bade his goodbyes to Elder Hame and began to lead the mare away.
    “Lord Callo!” Kirian said, impelled by some odd attraction to draw his attention again. “Thank you for your help.”
    “It would have been simpler had you kept that boy from throwing rocks at my mare. No wonder she startled.” Kirian heard the snap of temper in his voice.
    “Elder Hame will deal with Peak,” she said.
    “Or I will,” Callo said.
    “It will not happen again, I am sure.”
    “And what were you thinking, Healer, to let that child touch a strange animal anyway?”
    “Is your mare dangerous, then, my lord?”
    “Well.” Callo paused. “She is not a dangerous animal. You are a sweet-tempered lady, aren’t you, my good one?” His hand stroked Miri’s neck. They began walking down the strand toward the path.
    “How is Lord Arias?” Kirian asked, taking advantage of the change in his tone.
    Callo’s amber eyes met hers. There was a glint of humor behind them. “He is fine. But he speaks of nothing but the Watch. It is hard to get away from the subject.”
    Kirian laughed. “So he is well. I am glad. And thank you for your invitation to Cam. He does love horses. And he is in awe of you, I saw that. He was like a statue as I checked his arm, and I know it was painful.” She remembered the boy’s odd stillness.
    Callo shrugged. “Perhaps he did not wish to weep in front of a stranger from the Castle.” He glanced up at the CastleWatchTower. Kirian thought he must be eager to be on his way.
    “Thank you, my lord. Now I must go to Ruthan’s. The boy will be coming to have his shoulder bandaged under better conditions.”
    Callo nodded. “It is good to see you again, Hon Kirian,” he said. He swung up into the saddle and smiled down at her. “Tell the boy to come up tomorrow.”
    She nodded and inclined her head in an informal bow. Lord Alkiran would have upbraided her in his bitter voice for such disrespect; however, Lord Callo just made a gesture of farewell and turned Miri toward the cliff path. Kirian stared after him. His long hair shone in the morning sun, and she had the oddest impression that there was a slight glow about him. She shook her head, disgusted with herself. The man was attractive, surely, but no god. She turned and went back to tell Ruthan about young Cam’s misadventure.
    Ruthan sat near her window; she had seen Lord Callo take his leave.