Frostborn: The Undying Wizard by Jonathan Moeller Read Free Book Online

Calliande. 
    “The world is what it is,” said Morigna. “What I may or may not wish has no consequence upon it.”
    “Aye,” said Ridmark. “I have learned that myself.”
    Morigna blinked, and though his words still seem to baffle her, she appeared almost intrigued. 
    “Then you mean to help the town of Moraime?” said Morigna.
    “I do,” said Ridmark, “if I can.”
    “Then I shall travel with you to the town,” said Morigna. “I wish to warn them of the undead.”
    “No,” said Calliande at once.
    Ridmark looked at her.
    “You just gave us that fine speech about the strong ruling the weak,” said Calliande, her voice tight with anger, “and users of magic who believe such things tend to abuse their powers. Grievously.” 
    “I have no wish to rule anyone,” said Morigna, “merely to be left alone.”
    “Then why warn the town and the monastery?” said Ridmark.
    “Because,” said Morigna, “I owe a debt, and I wish to repay it. I owe a man…” She shook her head and looked away. “Suffice it to say I have my own reasons. If you are going to Moraime to warn the monks and their town, I shall come. And if not, I will go on my own.”
    “No,” said Calliande at once. “She’s not trustworthy, Ridmark. She’s not one of the Magistri.”
    “In fairness,” said Caius, “Alamur was a Magistrius, and he was a traitor and a servant of Shadowbearer.” 
    “I agree with Lady Calliande,” said Gavin, glaring at Morigna. She only answered him with a mocking smile. 
    Kharlacht shrugged. “She handled herself well in the fight against the undead. If there are more of those creatures about, we will need all the aid we can find.”
    “She used dark magic,” said Calliande.
    “I did not,” said Morigna. “I commanded the earth and the wind to aid me, as the Old Man taught me. Nothing I did drew upon dark magic or necromancy. One would expect a learned Magistria to know the difference. But perhaps the Magistri are not as wise as I was led to believe.” 
    Calliande gave a sharp shake of her head, but said nothing.
    “Well, Gray Knight?” said Morigna. “It seems the choice is yours. Shall I accompany you or not?”
    “For now,” said Ridmark. “Let us travel to Moraime together. There is safety in numbers, and if we are attacked again, we could use your aid. Or if you are attacked by more of those wraiths upon the road, I would not want your death upon my conscience.” God knew he had enough upon it already. 
    “Very well,” said Morigna.
    “Be warned, though,” said Ridmark. “If you have lied to us, if you raised these undead, I will put a stop to it.”
    She gazed at him for a moment, and then nodded. 
    “I would expect no less,” she said. “Lead on.”
    “And I shall watch you, too,” said Calliande. 
    “Watch all you like, Magistria,” said Morigna, filling the title with scorn. “You shall find nothing. And perhaps you shall even learn a thing or two.”
    “Enough,” said Ridmark. “Let’s go. If there are more of these undead about, if some wizard is opening the old orcish burial mounds, the town of Moraime has to be warned. This way.”
    He led them away from the ruined fortress.

Chapter 4 - Moraime
    Morigna was not sure what to make of her new companions.
    Or, at least, of their grim-faced leader. 
    She took the measure of the others easily enough. Morigna had never met a Magistria, but Calliande was just as she had always imagined the Magistri to be – cold, aloof, suspicious, and imperious. The Old Man had always said the Magistri were fools, too enslaved and shackled to their rules to achieve anything, and Calliande did little to dispel that belief. The idiot boy trudging after her was most likely the Magistria’s servant. 
    Kharlacht, likewise, was easy to understand. Morigna had traveled through much of Vhaluusk, and she had spoken and bartered with the orcish tribes of the hills and the mountains. To judge from his cross necklace, Kharlacht was