Three Wishes: Cairo by Jeff Klinedinst Read Free Book Online Page B

with Alam. It was normally the task of the father to assign wizarding rights, but Caidon brazenly promised the rights of his future grandson to Alam without even consulting his son. Alam felt honored that the powerful wizard even felt remorse for a situation he himself had forgiven many years earlier. He was thrilled at the prospect of another chance at a magical ally to help rule his kingdom, even though he admittedly did have some doubt this time around. Alam had some rather progressive ideas. A powerful albeit young wizard could really help him make a difference and realize the greatness he hoped for with his kingdom.
    The years rolled on and Alchemy was the light of Andreus’s life. Though he showed early powerful signs of his wizarding skills, his heritage was not discussed while he learned carpentry at the feet of his father.
    At the age of ten, tragedy struck and, without the protection spell, Alchemy lost his mother to disease. She had simply withered and died with little explanation. It seemed like one day, his mother was happy and healthy as she carried water from the river and the next, she was confined to a bed and his elders were speaking in hushed and measured voices around him. Her husband was too proud to ask for help from his father and Caidon was too proud to ease their suffering.
    The loss of Caidon’s protection spell had also trickled down to their business. Contracts which had once been plentiful had now begun to dry up. On the night of his mother’s death, his father was busy working to complete an order and was unable to sit by her bedside.
    Alchemy still remembered the night she died. He was called into the room and was mortified by how quickly she had deteriorated. He was almost afraid to touch her for fear that he would only feel the cold stillness of death on her skin. She looked dead already, yet the young man swallowed his fear and took her hand. Thankfully the hand wasn’t cold and amazingly, that simple touch provided a spark that brought forth a weak smile and the bright eyes of the young mother she had been just weeks earlier.
    Alchemy gasped when he saw her return to him. “Mother, you’re still with me.”
    “Of course I’m still with you. I will always be with you Al.” she squeezed his hand gently.
    “I don’t want you to leave me,” he whimpered softly.
    “You will have to help your father now. Where is he?” her eyes slowly scanned the room.
    “He had to work late. He’s been working so much to try and save the business. I don’t understand why Father isn’t here right now. He should be at your side now more than ever, Mother.”
    Alchemy looked into his mother’s slowly closing eyes. It was as if the temporary burst of energy she had found had now run out.
    “My son,” she spoke quietly. “Your father is doing what he must to put food on our table. If his business demands it, he must honor that obligation. Do not take your life for granted. Be everything you've ever dreamed of and, like your father, have the courage of a lion and carve out your own destiny.”
    As Alchemy watched her close her eyes for the final time, the weak grip she had on him eased as her hand slid back to the mattress. He tried to grab her hand, but this time, there was no reassuring grip that returned. She was gone. Alchemy felt alone. His mother’s death made his chest feel hollow and weak, but he didn’t cry. Through all of his pain he still felt some relief that she had been granted a quiet and peaceful trip into her next life. He was also secretly angry that his father had allowed a business deal to force him away from his dying wife’s bed. At that moment, he vowed that he would never allow anyone to control his life.
    He never spoke to his father about this anger, and after her death, they did their best to carry on bravely in her name. But bad luck seems attracted to those who have suffered and everything continued on a downward spiral despite their best efforts. Alchemy did what he