Read Online Sword's Call by C. A. Szarek - Free Book Online

longing in his tone made her sad. They were a long way from Aramour.
    “The mountains?” Jorrin asked.
    “Aye, of course.”
    “Same as always?” Jorrin shrugged, a dark brow raised.
    “Ha. I should have figured you wouldn’t have known . . . mages . . .” He shook his head.
    “But . . . aren’t you a mage?” Avery asked.
    “Wizard, my lad, old-fashioned wizard . . . if you see a wand, you have a wizard.”
    “There’s a difference?” Her cousin asked, frowning.
    “Much. No offense, since all three of you have the tendency, but there’s something wrong with a person who works magic without a wand.”
    Avery did indeed look insulted, so Cera rested her hand on his arm to temper a response. She glanced at Jorrin, who was still studying the elf wizard as if something bothered him about the old elf.
    Is something wrong?
    “No offense taken,” she said, tearing her eyes away.
    The elf wizard gave a curt nod and grumbled something under his breath.
    When he turned toward the cabin, it was obvious he wanted them to follow, although he said nothing.
     
****
     
    The bony-looking horse tied to a post near the front door whinnied as they passed and the elf shot him a sharp look. “Don’t talk to me like that.”
    Jorrin’s magical senses screamed at him.
    What kind of spell did the wizard have on the horse?
    As they entered the cabin, it actually screeched. The whole place was saturated with magic. Colors and shapes whirled around him, making Jorrin feel like he was spinning in a circle. His ears ached, temples throbbed. His body hummed and his fingertips tingled.
    There was too much magic.
    He planted his feet so he wouldn’t keel over, dragging in labored breaths. Squeezing his eyes shut, he concentrated on shutting off his senses one by one. Slowly everything muted, the colors dimmed and he could function, but his head still protested.
    “Shut up,” the wizard snapped. He was brandishing his wand threateningly in the air.
    Cera’s bondmate rushed inside and flopped down on a rug in front of the fireplace, like he belonged there. When Trikser noticed Jorrin looking his way, he wagged his tail.
    What the hell?
    That’s a first.
    The wizard gave a small smile and pointed his wand into the hearth. “Firos.”
    A warm, friendly fire sparked to life. The spellword was much the same as the one Jorrin used to start a fire with his own magic, but after what the wizard had said about mages, Jorrin wasn’t going to point it out.
    “Come, come.” The elf beckoned.
    The three of them were huddled not far from the doorway. Jorrin and Avery took a step forward, but Cera did not.
    “I shan’t bite you, Lady Ryhan, have a seat.” He gestured to three comfortable looking chairs that were rather large compared to the stool he was perched on not far from Trikser and the fireplace.
    “ How do you know our names?” Cera demanded, throwing a glance at Jorrin.
    He shrugged and looked at Avery, who just shook his head.
    “I know your name, my dear, and that of young Lord Lenore, from him.” The elf pointed to Trikser, who wuffed to reassure his mistress. “Animals have always been my gift. Young Master Aldern, on the other hand, I’ve been waiting for.”
    “What?” Jorrin sputtered. “Just who are you?”
    He’d dreamt someone was calling him—for months.
    When the wizard said he’d been waiting for him, Jorrin’s magical senses tingled, warming his arms and legs, making his fingertips quiver.
    He shook his hands as everything clicked into place.
    The wizard had been calling him . . . that’d been the reason he’d had no real objection to Cera’s travel route. He had to journey this way, to this cabin, to this wizard.
    There was something familiar about him.
    “Well, I’m glad you finally asked,” the elf said with a laugh and a wry smile. “My name is Hadrian Rowlin, and I know your parents.”
    His heart thundered. Shock rolled over him, and he stifled a gasp. Jorrin locked his gaze on