Read Online The High-Wizard's Hunt: Osric's Wand: Book Two by Ashley Delay, Jack D. Albrecht Jr - Free Book Online

for a purpose he could not yet see, but he knew the reason was not on the surface of the hill. He wondered what might be beneath his paws.
    In the center of the hill was a small, well-built shop. Gus could see several women working metal inside through the open door. What the Maiden of the Unicorn would need a forge for, Gus could not imagine, but the familiar smell of heated metal, oil, and the sound of a hammer on anvil grew louder the closer they came to the shop.
    They made their way around to a path that led down the hill, slightly concealed by a heavy concentration of trees. It meandered downward, following the curve of the slope. The side of the hill became a carved wall as they got closer to the base. Gus was impressed by the skill that it must have taken to design. It was adorned with stone etchings of many different kinds of animals. If it hadn’t been for the worry he felt for Pebble, he may have allowed himself time to gaze at the intricacy of the carvings. As it was, he had a hard time keeping himself from running back to the top by the forge to try and see Pebble’s whereabouts. Once they had traveled to the base of the carved hill, Fallon pulled the carved horn of a unicorn down, triggering a hidden switch. A space in the wall on their left opened up to a chamber within. She smiled and motioned them both inside.
    “Welcome to the underforge,” Fallon stated as she followed after.
    “Underforge?” Gus questioned, as he gazed at what looked like a massive library, filled with scrolls and abundantly stuffed furniture. Several women gathered around the tables, reading in the well lit room. “I would have thought the Maiden could come up with a better name than that!” He felt a bit ashamed of his tone, but the anxiousness he felt at Pebble’s absence was growing. The lack of concern she showed for his safety seemed to make it worse. “Underforge? The imagination that went into that name makes me question your intelligence.” Gus snorted with more vehemence than he intended.
    “Oh,” Fallon rolled her eyes to look at Bridgett, “this one’s going to be a HOOT to have around.”
    “Don’t worry,” Bridgett smiled, “you’ll learn to love him. He usually only treats men this badly. You may get tired of the flattery that comes out of his mouth before he leaves.” She leaned over and winked at Gus as she spoke.
    Their mocking was only making him grumpier, and he needed to try to make friends if he wanted to learn anything about the unicorns. “If you’re the Maiden of the Unicorn,” Gus cocked his head to the side in an attempt to change the subject, “why didn’t I see a single one of the beasts as we came here?”
    “There were dozens of them just beyond the hill Pebble went over with Happy,” Bridgett answered.
    “Yes, and they are accompanying Pebble to the underforge right now.” Fallon closed her eyes and smiled. “They seem to be taken by the little guy, too.”
    “So, you’re an Empath as well?” Gus raised an eyebrow toward Fallon.
    “No, but this job does come with perks,” she answered with a smile. “Go ahead and look. I know you’re curious now.” Fallon spread her arms in mock surrender as she bowed. “I am actually interested to hear what you see. I don’t think a Wand-Maker has ever viewed a Head Maiden.”
    Gus wasted no time in accepting her offer. Activating his gift, Gus gazed inside the young, willing woman. Wand-Makers could manipulate magic strands in such a way as to make a wand to channel magic; Gus made the best wands. However, the nature of the ability also allowed a Wand-Maker to look into any creature, or object, and see how the magical strands were comprised. Peering at the magic strands that entwined themselves into everything was the least impressive part of the gift. Manipulating the magic strands was where talent was involved. The creation of the first wand had transformed Archana into a different place. Yet lately, Gus seemed to constantly find