Read Online The Last Enchanter by Laurisa White Reyes - Free Book Online

laughing.
    Xerxes clicked his beak angrily. “Well, now that I know my company isn’t wanted—”
    â€œNow Xerxes, really,” said Zyll, trying not to laugh. “You are far too sensitive. Come now, we are only having a bit of fun at your expense.”
    â€œAt my expense is right. No, I shall endure no more of it. And don’t expect me to come hopping the next time you need a thorn plucked from your backside!”
    And with that, Xerxes went still, returning to his inanimate form.
    â€œI think you hurt his feelings,” said Marcus.
    â€œIt wouldn’t be the first time. Don’t worry, my boy. He may have an ill temper, but he’s the only true friend I’ve ever had. He’ll forgive me . . . eventually. In the meantime, we must get our rest. We still have a day’s more travel before we reach Dokur where your brother, Kelvin, awaits us.”

Twenty-two
    T he heat from the fire was more than the small flame could possibly produce on its own. Marcus suspected Zyll had cast a spell so that it could warm everyone present despite the chill in the air. In time Clovis, Lael, and even Bryn nodded off to sleep, huddled peacefully beneath their blankets. Marcus thought Zyll must have had something to do with that, as well. Soon only Zyll and Marcus were awake, watching each other over the flame.
    Looking at Zyll now, Marcus could still see the vision clearly in his mind. The sight of his grandfather lying in a pool of his own blood made his stomach churn.
    â€œYou seem troubled,” said Zyll, stirring the embers at the edge of the fire with the point of his walking stick. “Are you going to tell me about it, or do I have to slip youa vial of noorweed serum to loosen your tongue?”
    Marcus smiled at Zyll’s good-humored threat. “It’s hard to explain,” he began. “When you left, I tried to use your divining bowl.”
    â€œAnd what happened?”
    â€œNothing at first. But then later I saw . . .” Marcus stopped. He turned away from Zyll, ashamed to let him see the tears that formed now against his will. “I saw you.”
    He looked back at Zyll and saw in him the man who had raised him, loved him, taught him everything he knew. Zyll had been more than a grandfather to him. He had been his mentor and friend. He could not imagine his life without Zyll in it.
    Marcus stood up and took several steps away from the fire. He couldn’t sit still. “It was a mistake,” he said. “It had to be.”
    â€œWhat did you see?” asked Zyll.
    â€œEnchanters see the past,” continued Marcus, the words tumbling out of him, “but you’re here, right in front of me. So it had to be a mistake.”
    â€œMarcus, tell me what you saw.”
    Marcus could hardly continue. The tears came freely now, and he choked them back. Zyll stood and walked over to Marcus, placing his aging hand on the boy’s shoulder.
    Marcus felt the gentle weight of Zyll’s hand, but he could not meet his eyes. “I saw you, Grandfather,” he whispered, “and you were dead.”
    Zyll nodded thoughtfully. “Enchanters do only see the past.”
    Marcus sighed with relief. “I knew it,” he said, almost laughing. “I knew it was a mistake—”
    â€œBut you are not an enchanter.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’re not an enchanter,” repeated Zyll, “at least not merely an enchanter. From the time you were a small boy, I knew there was something special about you. You see, enchanters are nothing more than magicians. We cast spells, manipulate objects. Once there were many of us, but now I believe I am the last of my kind.”
    Marcus sat down again beside the fire, but the chill he felt was not from the night air.
    â€œDo you know what a seer is?” asked Zyll.
    Marcus shook his head.
    Zyll continued. “A seer sees the future, translates languages, can look into