The Wilder (The Trouble with Magic Book 1) by B. J. Beach Read Free Book Online Page A

it’s looking at its feet! Is that right?”
    Symon’s expression was dark as he leaned over and took the card from Karryl’s hand. “So it should be looking at its feet. It is a Grelfon. Do you know what a Grelfon is?”
    Karryl shrugged and shook his head.
    After placing the cat gently on the floor, Symon stood, clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace the room. “Many generations ago, a great battle was fought over this great city of Vellethen. Among the weapons the aggressors employed were a horde of magically created, highly intelligent creatures called Grelfons. They were an evil hybrid, born of a warped and twisted imagination, being neither wholly beast, serpent nor fowl, and answering only to the powerful mages responsible for their creation. Legend has it that the creatures had the gift of speech and were heard to call out to each other as they winged above the battle. They were the cause of great destruction, and responsible for the deaths of many good and innocent people.
    “However, to cut a very long story very short, the Grelfons and their masters were eventually defeated, although at inestimable cost. After the battle, the king decreed that the Grelfon, in an attitude of submission, should be depicted as part of the Royal crest, and that is how you see it on that card, its head bowed beneath the royal crown. You may also have noticed that that particular Royal crest has been superceded, so I have taken the liberty of using it myself on occasion.”
    For the first time that morning Karryl’s face showed a vestige of interest. He gestured to the well filled book-shelves. “Would I be able to read about it? It sounds like a good story!”
    Symon frowned. “All I have told you is merely part of what is now reduced to legend. Anything you read will probably only have a minimal basis in fact, although you may find this interesting. It is rumoured that a powerful mage of Vellethen, who took part in the battle, survived and wrote a great book describing the events and detailing the magic that was needed to accomplish the successful outcome.
    “That book has never been found, and according to the legend it never will be until a very special kind of mage, known as a Mage-Prime, appears. It is said that he will have the ability to locate the book and will be able to undo the wardings which protect what is written within. More than that I cannot tell you, and I suggest that you do not bother yourself unduly about it. Many legends are based on fact, but unfortunately in this case, we do not have the facts”
    Noting the look of disappointment on Karryl’s face, Symon returned to his chair. Clasping his hands beneath his chin, he studied the boy for a moment, while the grey cat jumped from his lap and ambled round to sit on a small, intricately patterned rug set in the centre of the space beneath the table. Tucking its tail round its rear paws the cat began to wash as if it no longer had any interest in the proceedings.
    Leaning back, Symon folded his hands under his chin and gazed at Karryl from beneath his eyebrows. “Firstly, I must tell you that should you undertake an apprenticeship with me, it will not be an easy one. Despite the fact that you have power and possibly potential, until you have learned even the rudiments of control, you would be ill advised to attempt any kind of casting without supervision. Is that clear?”
    Karryl paused for a minute or two before replying. He gave Symon an assertive nod. “I can live with that.”
    Symon leaned back and folded his hands. There is, however, one very vital thing already in your favour.” Noting the interest registered on Karryl’s face, Symon continued. “It’s all down to that little white card I gave you to look at. You see, only someone who has true magical ability can see anything on that card. To anyone else it appears completely blank. So, now we know there is an innate ability there, along with an as yet undetermined reserve of power,