Free Born of Magic (Channeler Series) by B. McMurray Page B

the man who had found me before I passed out. "You’ve been out for two days now and probably feel a little sore still. You had quite a fall."
    "Where’s my friend?" I asked, noticing that Aton wasn't in the room with me.
    "Your friend? We only saw you that night. I figured you were from the village and your parents were out on a fishing expedition, since I haven't been able to locate any family for you."
    "But—" now realizing I was in a strange place, miles from anywhere I knew, and the peron that brought me here had abandoned me after I was hospitalized, I couldn’t bring myself to conjure any relevant questions other than, "Can I have something to eat?"
    "Do you like Seporah?"
    "What’s Seporah?" I could see that it was becoming more apparent to him that I was not from this area.
    He stepped of the room for a moment and returned with a thick stone plate in hand. Atop the plate was a feast of well-cooked fish covered in what smelled like a sweet lemon sauce. Appealing streams of delectable steam rose from it. Some of the hunters would bring in lines of fish when the bigger game was scarce or hard to find in Saltren.
    "This is Seporah. It’s a big shark we bring in sometimes. Very big, very dangerous," he said. He used his hands to form a giant set of jaws. Not even a second had passed after he set the plate on my lap had I started digging in. The warm, tangy food danced along my dry, deprived mouth and into my empty stomach.
    Comfortable and full again, I lied back into my bed, my toes curling up as the sensation of a full stomach relaxed every muscle in my body. The idea of how cold it was outside made me enjoy the warm and cozy blankets all the more. I could still smell the Seporah in the air and longed for more.
    The large man got up and walked to the door. He stopped just before leaving and turned back to me. "I will let you get some more rest now. When you wake up, we'll discuss what is best for you."
    I realized I didn't even know his name as he blew out the only candle in the room, held by a dull brass candelabra mounted on the wall next to the door. The last thoughts that ran through my mind were of possible names for him. I decided Meldar seemed to match him the best; it was the name of another nice big man I had met once in Saltren. With that question answered, I let myself fade back into a deep sleep.
    In my dream I found myself on a small floating piece of ice, surrounded by giant creatures much like the fish I had seen before at the market in Saltren. They were covered in sleek scales with glistening slime and had giant jaws in the shape of Meldar's hands. While they were giant frightening creatures, I found them somewhat comforting as well; they reminded me of Meldar, as their eyes were dark brown, just like his.
    I was trapped on a floating piece of ice, surrounded by endless black water in every direction. The sea beasts leaped out of the water and splashed back down, knocking me around and almost sending me into the dark water.
    When I awoke again, I was not as startled by my surroundings. The real world seemed far more inviting than my dreams had, as did the company I found in my room. In the once empty bed across the room from me was an older man. He had dark skin and markings along his face, just like Meldar. However, his beard covered a good portion of them. He was awake, staring at the ceiling, though he somehow noticed that I was awake.
    "So, you're the mystery girl, huh?" His voice was raspy and he spoke with a tone that seemed to project little concern for the world around him. The only things that seemed of any interest to him were the thoughts in his head, and my awaited response.
    “I guess so, though I'm no mystery to myself."
    He chuckled at my response. "Then you really are a mystery. To know one's self is a far greater mystery to me than where someone came from." He paused for a moment and strummed his beard. "What is your name?"
    "Jasminis."
    "Jasminis? Your parents are odd folk. They