Read Online Hidden Power by Tracy Lane - Free Book Online

and stood. Taking off his apron, he hung it by the door. “You?” she joked, squeezing his cheeks. “Taking off from work early? Are you going to visit Mage City as well?”
    He chuckled, putting on his riding cap and hunting vest before grabbing his rifle. “I’m off to find my friend Lutheran,” he said. “At least now I’ll know where to start looking and with two hands, the work I’ll miss today will be done in half the time with his help.”
    Hilliard stabled Boer, making sure to give him extra oats and water before shutting his gate. Then he saddled up his own six-legged steed, Orion, and took to the trail, heading for the Wandering Woods and his old friend, Lutheran.
    The two had done a tour of duty in the Guard, what passed for the Army of Synurgus, and which was mandatory for all able-bodied, mortal males over the age of sixteen. 
    They hadn’t encountered much drama in their time of service, but they had grown close and, when it came time to grow up and settle down, they’d both settled into the rich, ripe farmland that surrounded the tiny town of Balrog.
    Lutheran had married a girl from the village, and the two had settled into the farming life, and all that entailed. But his friend’s land had turned fallow, his marriage untidy and, after a few years, both had ended on a quite sour note. 
    Lutheran had come by one day, a bulging pack on his back, his walking stick in place, so in debt he’d sold his horses to cover the load. The two had parted years earlier, but just the other day Hilliard had heard tell of his friend being back in town. 
    Now, it seemed, the village seamstress had given Aurora directions to Lutheran’s cabin. It would be good to see his old friend, but better to have his help building a larger pen to help keep Hilliard’s growing herd of Bleaters fenced in! Aurora was a help, but some jobs just needed two grown men to pull off in time.
    He tightened the reigns and guided his steer into the Wandering Wood. He hoped by end of day he’d find his friend and they could share a draught of ale together like in the olden days.
    The thought made Hilliard smile, a rarity these days.

12

    Iragos lingered at the edge of the wood, regarding the crystal globe that rested firmly atop of his walking stick. Inside the globe a green mist swirled steadily, confusing him; it was supposed to be a clear mist, making his prey easily visible. 
    Using the powerful Wanderer Spell, Iragos could usually track down his prey quickly, as if seeing through walls, trees or, in this case, the Wandering Wood.
    Instead the green mist swirled, and swirled and swirled.
    “Kronos!” Iragos hissed to himself, stabbing the tip of the long, crystal staff into the dirt at his feet. His fellow mage must have been using an equally powerful cloaking spell, hence the green mist interfering with his own white magic. 
    Iragos hurried, feet hardly touching the ground as the hem of his flowing maroon cloak, with its rich gold threading, swirled just above the grassy forest floor. His blue eyes were keen as he peered through the darkening sky. Afternoon was waning here Below, the evening approaching quickly.
    Iragos heard a twig snap and stopped, marshaling his excellent vision and focusing it on where he’d heard the noise. Silence followed as he stood still, watching the spot near a cluster of old, gnarled trees at the edge of the forest. 
    Somewhere in the distance, a small cabin stood, smoke rising into the approaching darkness. But Iragos ignored it, staring instead at the shadowy cluster of trees where he’d heard the noise. 
    He made not a move, but instead peered closer and closer, until he saw the slightest blur of movement in the trees and the telltale whispering maroon cloak of his prey. 
    Iragos gently slid his walking stick into the earth and smiled, chanting a Transformation Spell that slipped from his muttering lips. “From the earth, spirits dwell, to the earth, let them swell; change my form, as I