Pilgrimage by Carl Purcell Read Free Book Online

situation struck him as ridiculous. Pentdragon probably only wanted him blind-folded so he could keep up the illusion of a wrathful king. But king of the castle, he wasn't. He was just some guy in an old house. He wasn't scary, he was pathetic. There were no dungeons or chains. Some king. He probably didn't even have a crown.
    The man in tweed walked Roland back to Pentdragon, who announced his presence with as much noise and authority as he could force into one word.
    “Roland!” He shouted, then quieted his tone. “You are now to be tested for potential to join the world of sorcerers. Before you begin, you must answer these questions honestly. Do you understand?”
    “Yes.” Roland answered.
    “Are you prepared?”
    “Sure.”
    “Very well. Roland, do you believe the magical workings of sorcerers to be true?”
    “What?”
    “Do you believe the magical workings of sorcerers to be true?”
    “Oh.” Roland paused. “What?”
    “Do you believe in magic?” Pentdragon asked, a little less patient.
    “Oh. Yeah, whatever.”
    “For the sake of expediency I shall keep the rest of the questions simple enough for you to understand.”
    “Great. Next question.”
    “Do you believe that magic still exists today?”
    “I've seen it so I guess that means I do.”
    Roland heard Pentdragon sigh before asking “Do you believe that humans can use magic and cast spells?”
    “Aren't these all the same question?” Roland asked. He shifted in his bindings, testing their strength. No luck. They held tight.
    “What is your answer?” Pentdragon demanded.
    “Yes. The answer is yes.”
    “Roland, do you believe you can use magic?”
    “I don't know. I've never tried. Isn't that what you're trying to find out?”
    “This is a yes or no question, Roland. Do you believe you have that power?”
    “The answer is I don't know. I might. I don't know how it works.”
    “Yes or no?” Pentdragon pressed.
    “I was always told please is a magic word and when I say please people usually do things for me so I guess I can do that magic.” Roland offered an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders. That might get him the stick again but so worth it. He wished he could see the look on Pentdragon's face.
    “I am growing impatient!” Pentdragon shouted. “Remember, your life hangs in the balance. Answer the question.”
    “Uh-oh, someone forgot to say the magic word.” Roland sung.
    “Do not try me, Roland!” Pentdragon boomed. The whole room shook like it had been hit with a wrecking ball.
    Roland felt sweat sticking the flannel blanket to his face. He'd pushed Pentdragon too hard – as good as he was, Roland couldn't fight with both arms tied behind his back. He just might have underestimated his captor.
    “Okay, okay.” Roland said as inoffensively as he could manage. ”I've never done magic; I don't know how to cast a spell, so no. No, I don't believe I can.”
    “Very well. So ends the test of your magical potential. You have failed and will not be taken as an apprentice.”
    “That's it?”
    “We're done. A man who does not believe he has power, has no power. This realm has no use for you. You will go back to your cell and await your execution.”
    “My cell? You mean the pantry?” Roland couldn't help himself. “Can I help myself to a last meal?”
    “Begone!” A sound like the crackling of electricity followed Pentdragon's shout. Roland felt a hand grab him quickly and start pulling.
    “Now you're both definitely going to die.” The man in tweed said when they were through the first door. “I hope it was worth it.”
    “You know your Lord is an ass, don't you?”
    “Stop talking.”
    “Or what, you'll kill me?”
    Two doors later and Roland was back in the pantry. His bindings fell away again. Griffith stood watching him in anxious anticipation. Roland wiped the sweat off his brow. He hadn't done much to help their situation, but at least annoying Pentdragon had been fun.
    “How'd it go?” Griffith