Read Online The Game of Fates by Joel Babbitt - Free Book Online Page B

Now, as she stood in the conference room waiting for
the servant to answer the knock, she wondered if she should have come.
    Magic
was a topic that Kiria had never discussed with anyone but her parents before
this quest.  It had always been something hidden, something not shared, a
family secret she decided.  This thought brightened her up somewhat.  She is
my father’s sister, after all, if I’m ever going to take my knowledge further,
I have to talk to someone, and she’s family.
    She
heard footsteps coming from the other side of the door, and the familiar face
of Lady Karaba’s footman appeared as he opened the door.
    “My
little lady,” he intoned with a particular fondness, the type that only old
kobolds who knew her since birth would have used.  His squinty eyes and heavy
brows, mixed with his lack of teeth and wrinkled gums gave him the look of one
whose face needed a bit of stretching out.
    “Hi,
Jartor, it’s good to see you again,” she answered.
    “And
it’s good to see you, as well.  Quite the excitement yesterday, wasn’t it?  I’m
sorry I missed it,” the old kobold lied demurely.  Changing to a more sincere
tone, he continued.  “But I’m very glad you made it through none the worse for
wear.  And with a shiny new trinket to show for it as well,” he said, tapping
her shiny gold belt buckle, a gift from Lord Krall given to the members of
Durik’s Company as a thanks for saving his life and the lives of his family
members.
    Kiria
smiled.  “Yes, I am well.  Jartor, is my aunt in?”
    Jartor’s
squinty eyes opened up a bit wider, “Oh, well, come to stay with us for a bit,
then?  I was hoping you would.  It’s been so long since we’ve had whelps in the
house.”
    Kiria
smiled at the old kobold, feeling no slight at his words.  “No, Jartor.  I’m
staying with my warrior group, I’m not a whelp anymore, you know.”
    “Oh!” 
Jartor exclaimed again, “well, how many summers have you now?  Is it fifteen
already?”
    Kiria
smiled and shook her head, “You old joker!  You know it is!  I’m an adult
already!”
    Jartor
smiled and nodded his head, a twinkle in his aged eye.  “Aye, and a fine lady
you’ve grown up to be.  I’d imagine you’ll be chasing after one of those young
strapping warriors you’re traveling with.  Every young lady dreams of a noble
lifemate; their leader caste perhaps?  What was his name?  Durik, I think.”
    Kiria’s
face flushed with barely concealed embarrassment.  Her patience with the old
kobold was running thin.  “Jartor!  Will you please just get my aunt?”
    From
behind Jartor on the steps up to their personal chambers Lady Karaba arrived in
time to hear his needling.
    “That’s
quite enough, Jartor.  Come now.  Go pick on someone your own age,” Lady Karaba
gently chided the old servant.
    Turning
stiffly, Jartor threw up his hands in mock surrender.  “Ah, you’ve caught me,
my lady.  Though I dare say there aren’t many kobolds my age to choose from,
and all of them are likely in bed already.”
    “The
minister is almost your age.  Perhaps you can see to his needs for a time,” she
commanded.
    “Yes,
my lady,” Jartor said, adjusting various items on his way out of the room, a
life-habit of cleanliness that his lady’s dismissal certainly wouldn’t break.
    When
the two of them were finally alone, Kiria sat in front of her aunt almost
unwilling to talk at first.
    “What
is it my dear?” Lady Karaba asked her niece.
    “Well,
Aba,” she paused, trying to think of how to broach the subject.  “Was there a
library and workshop in the lady’s quarters when you lived in the gen?”
    Lady
Karaba looked at Kiria as if she were seeing her for the first time.
    “Your
father has shared with you your heritage, then, I see,” Lady Karaba stated
simply.
    Kiria
nodded.
    “And
what have you learned?” she probed.
    “When
I was much younger, before my mother died, she taught me a few simple spells. 
She