Free Arcane Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 2) by Kara Jaynes Page A

interrupted, going back to our original discussion. “I don’t know who is behind it. They’re a secretive lot. I’ve talked to people who have talked to them, supposedly, but I haven’t been able to figure out who’s behind it.”
    “They probably aren’t any better than the brigands,” I said dismissively. “Why bring down King Matias when he’s trying to protect the people? Of course he has to raise taxes for that.”
    “The taxes are unreasonably high,” Bran countered. “And despite sending guards out to fight the brigands, the problem isn’t getting any better. He’s not an effective leader.”
    “Either way, it’s best to be on our guard,” Aaric said. “We don’t need to swear loyalty to the king but we don’t need to join a rebellion, either. We’re here to find the sky jewel. Once we get some leads we can leave.”
    I nodded grudgingly. It made sense.
    “Agreed.” Bran walked to the inn door. “The longer we stay here the longer my people are in danger from the Oppressors.”
    I thought guiltily of my clan. It was true. Aaric was my first concern, but I wanted to help the nomads, too. I hadn’t given them much thought since arriving in the city.
    I considered the king. He seemed nice enough. He had killed, true, but it had been in self-defense. I was curious about the rebel faction though, and resolved to ask him about it later when the opportunity presented itself.

 
    21
    Aaric
     
    “ H ere.” Aaric opened the sky jewel file and pushed it over to Adaryn. It was the following day and Aaric brought her to the Guild to go over the papers with him. “It says right here that about ten years ago a fearsome outlaw named Fyrsil held a sky jewel in his possession, making him all but impossible to be captured by Sen Altare’s law enforcers.”
    “Really?” Adaryn read the document with interest. “Do you think he’s still out there?”
    “I have no idea,” Aaric admitted. “I asked Luna about it. She said my father tried to find him without success, so it’s possible it was just a rumor. No one was able to confirm it.”
    “Hmm.” Adaryn leaned over the paperwork, her hair falling in her face. “Fyrsil is a nomadic name. Bran and I might be able to find him, if he’s out there.”
    “How?” Aaric asked, surprised. He peered at the nomad over his reading spectacles.
    Adaryn smiled at him. “We’re magic users. If we get close enough, we’re able to sense other magic users if they wield their magic. It’s just how it works. I can’t explain it to you.”
    Aaric smiled, feeling his face flush with excitement. “That might actually work. Course,” he reminded himself, “it’s probably just a local legend. We shouldn’t get too worked up over it.”
    “Quite,” Adaryn agreed, but her eyes shone, and she shared the same smile. “We should go tell Bran.”
    Aaric nodded agreement, pushing his chair back to stand. He held out his hand, and Adaryn took it as they walked out of the Guild archives.
    Bran was at the inn, upstairs in his room, counting out a fair amount of coppers and a few silvers.
    “Where did all that come from?” Adaryn asked in amazement. Money had been running quite low.
    Bran looked up and smiled. “There seems to be a lack of magic users here. We’re the only two as far as I know. Us and the king. Thought I’d use it to my advantage.”
    “How so?” Adaryn sat on the bed across from Bran.
    Bran shrugged, a little self-conscious. “I used my magic to street perform.”
    “What?” Adaryn laughed. “Tricks? Like when we were children?”
    Bran arched an eyebrow. “At least I’m bringing in some coins. What have you and Aaric done?”
    That shut her up.
    “I’ve been busy with my research,” Aaric said, shrugging.
    “Sky jewel research won’t help us if we starve to death in the meantime,” Bran said matter-of-factly.
    “Well, with any luck, we won’t need much more time here,” Adaryn said eagerly. “Aaric said there used to be a