Free The Warlock Senator (Book 2) by Sam Ferguson Page A

silence.
    After a while Al tossed a clean leg bone to his pate and unceremoniously wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “I am familiar with the senate,” he said. “I accompanied my father many times to senate hearings or other negotiations.”
    “I thought senators went to Roegudok Hall.” Dimwater said.
    “That is true now,” Al replied with a nod. “Since my brother assumed the throne he has demanded the senate create a liaison to come to Roegudok Hall, but that was not so during my father’s time.”
    “Very well,” Marlin said. “I don’t see an alternative.” He turned to Erik. “This will delay your training, but I can give you some exercises that will help you stay active. When you return, we will resume your training. In the meanwhile, we’ll work with Lepkin and find a way to switch you back.”
    “About that,” Al interrupted. “I may know a way.” He looked to Marlin and then to Dimwater before continuing. “Have either of you heard of the Golden Scale?”
    Dimwater and Marlin glanced to each other. Dimwater’s mouth fell open, and Marlin leaned forward to rest his chin on his knuckles. “The Golden Scale was given to the first dwarf king of Roegudok Hall,” Marlin said. “It is rumored to have many magical properties, chief among them is its healing power.”
    Al nodded and ripped the other turkey leg off and held it up for a moment, offering it to the others. Marl in shook his head and Dimwater dismissed the offer with a wave of her hand. Al grinned and ripped a steaming hunk off the leg and chewed with an open mouth. As he blew some of the heat out, he spoke through a mouthful of half-chewed meat. “On the way back from Drakai Glazei, I’ll get the scale and bring it here.”
    “That could help Lepkin at the very least, if not reverse them both back,” Marlin said with a nod.
    Al winked and took another bite.
    Lady Dimwater tapped a finger on the table a few times. “Will your brother give it to you?” she asked at last.
    “He shuns the Ancients,” Al said through a hard swallow. “I doubt he would mind.”
    “Then why not get the Golden Scale first?” Erik asked. “Then Lepkin could answer the summons himself after we are switched back.”
    “Not enough time,” Al said just before taking another bite.
    Erik opened his mouth as if to ask something else, but stopped himself and stared at the roasted turkey carcass instead. “And because you know your brother won’t give it to you,” Erik observed.
    Al stopped chewing and set the leg down. He glanced to Erik and reached for his goblet. He raised it to his mouth to wash the rest of his bite down, but the goblet was empty. He set it down and hurriedly chewed the remaining meat. “I guess there is no point in shielding you from it,” Al admitted.
    “He can see through it,” Marlin commented.
    “Reaching through with reflexive power,” Dimwater added quietly.
    “What will your brother do when you ask for the scale?” Erik asked.
    Al sighed and folded his thick fingers together. “For now, let’s concentrate on the senate. I will deal with getting the scale afterward.”
    Erik reached for his plate and filled it with bread and turkey meat. The others did the same. The crackling fire and utensils scraping against ceramic plates were the only sounds made for the rest of the dinner. Each person ate in silence, occasionally stealing glances at each other from across the table as they dealt silently with their own demons.
    As the candles burned low and the food disappeared from the table, Lady Dimwater was the first to leave. She dabbed her lips with a napkin and conjured another glass of absinthe.
    Marlin departed shortly thereafter. He patted Erik’s shoulder as he passed.
    Al and Erik remain ed until the candles were nearly completely diminished. The dwarf popped the last hunk of bread into his mouth and looked to Erik. “I can help you learn what Lepkin would do,” he said.
    Erik sighed and pushed his empty plate across