The Mage of Orlon: The beginning by Gene Rager Read Free Book Online Page A

the book? ” If he answered the way she was hoping maybe …
    “ If it can be repaired, as far as it takes. ”
    “ Good, then we will start our journey tomorrow at dawn, but first we need to get you ready for the journey.
    “ Where are we going? ” Nate asked suspiciously.
    “ To see the keeper of the archives, he knows how to restore texts that are thought lost, maybe he can teach you how to save some of the text. ”
    “ Why can ’ t he restore it himself? ”
    “ Because Nate, it is your book and if it is able to be restored the protection spell might blind whoever is trying to restore it. Besides you said you would do whatever it takes. ” She said with a smile.
    “ We have to prepare for the journey though, Lex lives at the heart of the forest. ”
    “ How come the person that we need always lives somewhere that is dangerous, and difficult to get to? ” Nate whined.
    “ I do not know Nate, but if you are serious about restoring the book Lex is who we visit. ”
    “ Fine, so what do we need? ”
    Lela smiled, “ We need to visit Crolin first, and get the proper traveling clothes. ”
    Five minutes later Lela pulled Nathan into what looked like a storage room.
    “ Crolin, Croooooolinnnnn, are you here! ” Lela crooned.
    After what seemed like an eternity came a soft voice.
    “ But of course I am darling Lela, where else would I be? ” Came the chipper tone
    He stood slightly taller than Lela. Crolin was dressed in light blue with the castle crest emblazoned on his chest. His clothes seemed tailored to his exact body shape.
    “ Crolin, this is Nate. ” Lela chimed.
    Crolin eyed Nate up and down.
    “ He is human, what do you want me to do with this Lela? ” He said waving a hand at him dismissingly.
    “ He is the new mage Crolin, but there was a mishap and we need to see Lex in Cravenwood.
    “ Cravenwood! ” Crolin said the one word as if the mere mentioning of the name would invoke some horrible creature into existence that would tear them all apart.
    “ So tell me Nate where did you get those dreadful rags you are wearing? ” Crolin said chuckling.
    “ Hey these are good clothes! ” Nate countered defensively.
    “ Dear, dear boy I have seen horse blankets that look better. ” Crolin ’ s laughter fluttered around the room like a butterfly in a warm June breeze.
    “ The colors are all wrong for you and you do not look comfortable at all. Do your clothes even do anything for you, other than cover that cute butt of yours? ” Crolin ’ s eyebrow arched as he said the last part making Nate nervous for the first time since he met Crolin.
    “ Hey, I like girls, and what are clothes supposed to do besides cover a person up? ”
    With a showman ’ s flare Crolin snatched a blue cape off the closest shelf twirled it around his shoulders pulled up the hood and promptly disappeared.
    “ Lela, where did Crolin go? ”
    “ I am right here silly boy, can you not see me? ” The laughter was sliding back into Crolin ’ s voice.
    “ Perhaps, you might feel my breath if I was a little closer. ” The tickle was right on the nap of Nate ’ s neck. Whirling around Nate saw nothing. Looking intently close he could still see nothing, but could feel breathing. With the flick of his wrist Crolin reappeared inches from Nate ’ s face “ Boo! ”
    Nate flinched backward, stumbled over his own feet and landed on his butt to the sound of Crolin ’ s joyful laughter.
    “ I ask you again Nate what does your clothing do for you to cause you to cling to it so feverishly? If I had intended to harm you with a knife or sword you would have never seen it until it was stained with your blood! ”
    Nate looked at Lela who was stifling what might be a smile at his position.
    “ Nothing, my clothes do nothing like that. ” Nate said quietly.
    “ My dear boy, not many humans have the opportunity to wear the fine works of art I make, consider this a privilege. ” The smile was still in place, but it spoke of