Clash of Wills by S.G. Rogers Read Free Book Online Page A

were to accompany him and Samantha as far as the Ferryside Inn at the Elturon River. The two servants would remain at the inn until Wills and Samantha returned—hopefully with Julian.
    The party of four departed Foundling after lunch, retracing their route a short distance until they could transition onto the northbound road. Joe played his flute along the way, keeping their spirits high. The notes of his cheerful tunes echoed through the forest—bits of the music occasionally mimicked by passing mockingbirds.
    The road proved to be good, and they arrived at the Ferryside Inn in the late afternoon. A steep cliff loomed on the far side of Elturon River, just beyond a small village. The sound of crashing water upriver piqued Samantha’s interest, but her view was obstructed by the large Ferryside Inn. After dismounting, she handed the reins of her horse to Nan and darted toward the water’s edge.
    Looking out over the Elturon River, Samantha was awestruck. A short distance upstream was a breathtaking waterfall. As it hit the river, the cascading water churned a thick, refreshing mist which Samantha could feel on her skin. Further downstream, the river became wide and relatively calm, edged here and there by remnants of wintertime ice.
    Wills joined her. “What a magnificent sight.”
    “I’ve never seen such a tall waterfall before. It dwarfs my father’s castle.”
    Wills cocked his thumb toward a ferryboat moored to a nearby dock. “That’ll take us across the river tomorrow.”
    The sun was just beginning to set and a gust of wind sent shivers down her spine. A visible shudder went through her at the chill.
    “Are you sure you want to do this?” Wills asked.
    Her chin lifted. “I’m merely cold, not frightened.” She consulted her compass; the needle was pointing across the river. “And I’m sure.”

    The skies were murky when the ferry pushed off the next morning, guided by a one-eyed ferryman. Wills and Samantha rode along with a handful of hardscrabble men who occasionally gave them a curious glance. She was suddenly glad for her disguise and for Wills’ presence.
    “The Uncharted Region often attracts highwaymen fleeing the law,” he murmured. “We should be on our guard.”
    Thereafter, Samantha stuck close to Wills at the railing, keeping her pack within reach. As the ferry cut across the crystal clear water, schools of plump, silvery fish darted below the surface. When a shaft of sunlight pierced the cloud cover, Wills tapped her on the shoulder. “Look.”
    Samantha turned around and gasped with delight. The sun was reflecting off the waterfall, casting a huge, dazzling rainbow in the mist. “Oh Wills, something so beautiful must be a good omen.”
    “Let’s hope so.”
    A half hour later, the ferry reached the far side of the river. “Welcome to Elturon, the gateway to the Uncharted Region,” the ferryman droned as they disembarked. “May ye get what ye came for and more than ye deserve.”
    In the village, Wills took Samantha inside an establishment called Spike’s Tavern. “Let’s get you something hot to drink. It was awfully cold on that river.”
    “That’s a good idea,” she said. “And maybe somebody has seen Julian.”
    When the tavern’s grizzled owner brought their tea, he peered at them.
    “You gentlemen seem a bit out of your element, if you don’t mind me saying so. We don’t get too much high society in these parts.”
    Samantha and Wills exchanged a startled glance.
    “What makes you think we’re gentlemen?” Samantha asked
    “It’s a matter of cleanliness, if you catch my drift.”
    “Tell me, have you ever happened to meet a wizard named Julian here?” she asked.
    “Aye, although I haven’t seen him in a few months. He lives in a city of ice, north of here.”
    “We’d like to find him,” Wills said. “Can you tell us the best way to get there?”
    “You can buy a map over at the general store, but the best way means a five day hike downriver and