Free Three Quest Deal (Tales of Former Dragons Book 1) by Rainer Domingo

you’re about to say,” Wolford interrupted. “If a spellcaster healed Garon, then Merrim and Karsten can be healed as well. Who else knows about the spellcaster?”
    “Only you, myself, and Lord Byron’s messenger. Is there a problem?”
    “If this spellcaster falls into the hands of our enemies, it’ll be a problem.”
    “Do you think Lord Callan would try to take the throne?”
    “I can assure you he would most certainly try. He still believes my bloodline betrayed the east.”
    “Are you thinking this spellcaster could raise another army of the undead?”
    “I’m thinking that with a healer at Callan’s side, his forces would be unstoppable. Imagine being able to heal all of your wounded. We need to control that power or destroy it.”
    “Yes, my lord.”
    “Take Sirs Gunther and Rothchild, and go to Lord Byron’s. Speak to Master Garon and his granddaughter. Find out what you can about the spellcaster, and report back to me.”
    “Yes, my lord.”
    Randolph bowed, and left the map room.

CHAPTER 11
    “Why are there so many soldiers on this road?” Toshen asked Tess as six riders on horseback approached in the distance. “This is the fifth group we’ve seen in the past hour.”
    Tess shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never been this far east before.”
    The soldiers rode past the group in formation, two by two, at a fast trot, only glancing briefly at them. They wore suits of shining armor and carried shields on their backs. Each shield was decorated with a side profile of a lion’s head wearing a crown, a red silhouette. The king’s coat of arms.
    “They’re ignoring us, so it doesn’t really matter,” Drakor said. “Let’s hope it stays that way.”
    “Do you think they’re looking for whoever killed Nellis’s patrol?” Xan asked.
    “No,” Tess said. “We would have been questioned by now.”
    “How much longer to Greffenvale?” Aesus asked.
    Tess pointed at a wooden sign on the side of the road and said, “Welcome to Greffenvale.” She spotted a building down the road. “Let’s see if someone in that inn can tell us where to find the mage tower.”
    The inn was a large oak structure with a steep roof and a smoking stone chimney. The group dismounted and tied their horses to the hitching rail.
    Aesus read the sign above the inn’s entrance. “Welcome to the Four Mages Inn and Tavern. Do you think it’s safe to go inside?”
    Tess looked at Aesus. “You say the oddest things sometimes. It’s just a name. I don’t expect we’ll find four mages inside.” She led the way, and opened the door to the inn.
    A large, bearded bald man in a beige shirt, brown pants, and knee-high dark-brown boots stood just inside the entry. “Welcome to the Four Mages, friends,” he said with a smile. “I’m Jobe, the innkeeper. What can I do for you this morning? Some food perhaps?”
    “Yes, we’d like something to eat,” Tess said.
    Jobe extended his arm in the direction of dining area. “Sit anywhere you’d like. As you can see, you have the entire place to yourself.”
    The inn’s dining hall had an open beam ceiling, fireplace, and several tables of assorted shapes. There was a large map mural on one wall, and stag horns of various sizes on the opposite wall. The group sat on simple wooden chairs around a circular table.
    Jobe brought out bread, berries, and wine. He pulled up a chair, turned it so the back faced forward, and sat with his arms crossed on the top of the chair. “So what brings you to Greffenvale on this fine morning?”
    Tess frowned at his intrusion. “Do you always sit—”
    “We’re merchants passing through the area,” Drakor interrupted in a louder voice. “What can you tell us about Greffenvale?”
    Jobe glared at Tess and smiled at Drakor. “There’s much to tell, for the right price.”
    “Perhaps we can find someone in the area who has more than gold on his mind,” Tess said. She stood and looked at the others. “Let’s go.”
    “I’m not