Free Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) by Jeremy Laszlo Page B

Garret asked. “Can you heal that?”
    “Not yet,” Ashton admitted with a weak grin. “Perhaps when I have more practice and training I could do it, but thus far his face was the hardest thing I’ve done. I nearly pushed myself too hard. Untrained healers are known to die for pushing their limitations. Wielding the power of a god is taxing, but it can be rewarding too.”
    While Ashton explained all this to Garret, Seth sat silently, absorbing the information. When he was finished, Garret listened as Seth asked just one question of their friend.
    “What does it feel like? I mean, what is it like when your goddess feeds her power through you? It almost seemed that you were enjoying yourself while performing, and then when you finished healing the man, it was like you were drunk or something?”
    Together Garret and Seth watched as Ashton thought for a moment, pondering the best way to explain it. It showed plainly on his face that an explanation was not easy, but even so, Ashton tried the best he could.
    “Well, I guess you could say that it feels wonderful to channel her power. It is kind of like a drug I guess, you feel it throughout your entire body like it is surging through your blood. It’s the best feeling you could ever imagine! For me it is like I can actually feel Lorentia’s love like a physical thing pumping through me. It’s hard to explain really.”
    Seth nodded in response, taking the answer as it was.
    “I’m curious if it is the same for all magic users?” Seth asked. “Perhaps I might get the chance someday to ask other magic users if they feel it the same way.”
    “Maybe,” Ashton agreed.
    “Let’s get to our room and rest up,” Garret added after a moment lost in his own musings.
    Thus decided they left the common room, deciding unanimously to get an early start in the morning. They found their room quickly and unlocked the door. Clamoring inside, they took turns removing their packs before piling them in a corner. It was a small, simple room constructed from the same stone as the exterior of the building, with a desk and two beds. Since it was an interior room there was no window, only a small lamp that hung off a peg in the wall. Seth was quick to give up his place in a bed for the night as it was obvious that Ashton was worse for wear, looking well beyond drained. Ashton argued that he should sleep on the floor being as the twins had been the ones to pay, but both of the twins squashed his argument and so it was decided. Garret and Ashton undressed and climbed into their beds. Seth pulled his blanket from his pack and curled up on the floor, his back against the door. The trio was quick to find sleep this night. None tossed or turned, all exhausted from their long day. When morning came, none would remember having any dreams. It would be a peaceful night.

Chapter 10
    Seth
     
    Seth awoke suddenly, springing to his feet from the floor.  Aroused by a clamor, his head darted this way and that as his eyes located a moving form in the darkness. Ashton had been the first to wake, but while getting himself dressed, accidentally knocked Garret’s sword over. Smiling into the darkness as Ashton shrugged an apology, Seth turned as Garret too climbed to his feet from the bed opposite Ashton. Still Ashton stood frozen, a sheepish grin on his face.
    “Sorry ‘bout that guys!” he said to them sincerely.
    “No problem,” Garret replied, still groggy. “We needed to get up early anyhow.”
    Before long all three of them were dressed. Grabbing up his equipment, Seth waited for his companions to do the same before turning to open the door. They headed down the empty hall to the common room, from where they could hear voices echoing. They made their way back to the familiar room to be greeted by several faces they had seen the night before. Looking around Seth caught the eye of the barkeep and the large man smiled and waved them over. Nudging his brother and Ashton, Seth relayed the unspoken