Read Online The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Brian S. Pratt
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conscious and alert. One of the men who took him from the cabin pulls his arms behind his back where they are bound painfully tight. Once his hands are secured, he’s pushed roughly to the ground next to Ceryn.
“Don’t move and keep your mouth shut!” one of the four sword wielding men commands.
James glances at the man and nods.
Seeing that James plans to cooperate, the guard grunts then turns to his partner.
With their captor’s attention, for the moment, focused elsewhere, he scoots closer to Ceryn until they are less than a foot apart. “Who are these guys?”
“Outlaws. They’re mad because I brought one of them in and was executed. He killed two women who were traveling through here a while back.”
“What are they going to do with us?”
“They’ll probably torture and kill me. You…” Ceryn pauses as one of the guards glances in their direction. When the guard again focuses his attention elsewhere, he continues. “You they may kill or they may take you south and sell you to the slavers. Sorry, lad.”
An outlaw a little larger than the rest and bearing a tattoo of a snake on his left forearm storms over to Ceryn and kicks him in the side. “I told you to be quiet! Another word and I’ll cut out your tongue.” To emphasize his point he kicks Ceryn hard in the side twice more before walking off.
Two outlaws continue standing guard over them with their swords drawn and ready. James leans closer to Ceryn and in a barely audible whisper asks, “Are you ok?”
A sleight nod of Ceryn’s head is his only answer.
“I’m going to try and loosen your bonds.”
Ceryn meets his gaze and shakes his head. “Too risky.”
“Just be ready.”
Their gazes meet and there must have been something in James’ eyes for Ceryn nods.
Concentrating on envisioning their bonds coming apart, James whispers:
Ropes that bind me and you
Come apart in pieces two.
James feels a slackening in the rope binding his arms together as the fibers part. Ceryn gives him a look full of surprise as his wrists are once again free.
Whispering so only Ceryn can hear, he says, “Now for the outlaws, be ready.”
Another nod from Ceryn, he understands.
Looking around he searches for something that can be used to hurt, maybe even kill the outlaws. His gaze comes to rest on the fire and an idea takes shape. Speaking softly, he casts his spell.
Fire that’s hot
“Hey, the boss said no talking.”
Ignoring him, James continues,
Fire that’s bright,
The guard takes a step toward him. “I said to shut up or I’ll shut you up.”
Send balls of flame
“Ok, you asked for it” Taking two more step, the guard reaches his side, and prepares to kick him in the head.
Before the guard can complete the maneuver, James looks him in the eye and shouts:
To burn outlaws this night!
At the final utterance of the spell, magic streams from him as flaming balls erupt from the fire. The outlaws have only a moment to realize their danger. One such fiery projectile nearly singes James’ hair as it slams into the man standing before him. The resultant explosion knocks the outlaw back and showers James and Ceryn with sparks. Similar bursts flare throughout the area.
The spell uses far too much of his unreplenished reserves, draining what strength he has and causes him to black out. Ceryn sees James pass out but can’t take the time to determine if he’s okay.
Screams of pain and confusion fill the night air. Rolling to the side, Ceryn kicks out with his foot and brings a guard whose clothes are afire to the ground. He deftly avoids the flames as he takes possession of the guard’s sword. Upending it, he plunges it through the man’s chest, pinning him to the ground.
Quickly getting to his feet, he places a foot upon the dead outlaw’s chest and pulls the sword free. A nearby guard cries out as his hair ignites and goes up in flames. Moving toward him, Ceryn strikes out with his sword and
“Don’t move and keep your mouth shut!” one of the four sword wielding men commands.
James glances at the man and nods.
Seeing that James plans to cooperate, the guard grunts then turns to his partner.
With their captor’s attention, for the moment, focused elsewhere, he scoots closer to Ceryn until they are less than a foot apart. “Who are these guys?”
“Outlaws. They’re mad because I brought one of them in and was executed. He killed two women who were traveling through here a while back.”
“What are they going to do with us?”
“They’ll probably torture and kill me. You…” Ceryn pauses as one of the guards glances in their direction. When the guard again focuses his attention elsewhere, he continues. “You they may kill or they may take you south and sell you to the slavers. Sorry, lad.”
An outlaw a little larger than the rest and bearing a tattoo of a snake on his left forearm storms over to Ceryn and kicks him in the side. “I told you to be quiet! Another word and I’ll cut out your tongue.” To emphasize his point he kicks Ceryn hard in the side twice more before walking off.
Two outlaws continue standing guard over them with their swords drawn and ready. James leans closer to Ceryn and in a barely audible whisper asks, “Are you ok?”
A sleight nod of Ceryn’s head is his only answer.
“I’m going to try and loosen your bonds.”
Ceryn meets his gaze and shakes his head. “Too risky.”
“Just be ready.”
Their gazes meet and there must have been something in James’ eyes for Ceryn nods.
Concentrating on envisioning their bonds coming apart, James whispers:
Ropes that bind me and you
Come apart in pieces two.
James feels a slackening in the rope binding his arms together as the fibers part. Ceryn gives him a look full of surprise as his wrists are once again free.
Whispering so only Ceryn can hear, he says, “Now for the outlaws, be ready.”
Another nod from Ceryn, he understands.
Looking around he searches for something that can be used to hurt, maybe even kill the outlaws. His gaze comes to rest on the fire and an idea takes shape. Speaking softly, he casts his spell.
Fire that’s hot
“Hey, the boss said no talking.”
Ignoring him, James continues,
Fire that’s bright,
The guard takes a step toward him. “I said to shut up or I’ll shut you up.”
Send balls of flame
“Ok, you asked for it” Taking two more step, the guard reaches his side, and prepares to kick him in the head.
Before the guard can complete the maneuver, James looks him in the eye and shouts:
To burn outlaws this night!
At the final utterance of the spell, magic streams from him as flaming balls erupt from the fire. The outlaws have only a moment to realize their danger. One such fiery projectile nearly singes James’ hair as it slams into the man standing before him. The resultant explosion knocks the outlaw back and showers James and Ceryn with sparks. Similar bursts flare throughout the area.
The spell uses far too much of his unreplenished reserves, draining what strength he has and causes him to black out. Ceryn sees James pass out but can’t take the time to determine if he’s okay.
Screams of pain and confusion fill the night air. Rolling to the side, Ceryn kicks out with his foot and brings a guard whose clothes are afire to the ground. He deftly avoids the flames as he takes possession of the guard’s sword. Upending it, he plunges it through the man’s chest, pinning him to the ground.
Quickly getting to his feet, he places a foot upon the dead outlaw’s chest and pulls the sword free. A nearby guard cries out as his hair ignites and goes up in flames. Moving toward him, Ceryn strikes out with his sword and
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