Free Under the Shadow of Darkness: Book 1 of the Apprentice Series by James Cardona, Issa Cardona

shortly.”
    Muolithnon interrupted, “Master Archmage, the villagers, they would really like us to stay. At least one more day. You know I don’t get away from the stonecutters too much and these fair maidens in your wood have taken a liking… I mean, it would be better if we stayed one more day, just to make sure that the ghouls really got the message. Don’t you think?”
    “I don’t think. This was all your idea. You’re the one who dragged me out here. But if we stay here too long I just might head back home. No need for me to stick around while you cast love spells. That’s for sure. Listen, what’s your problem anyway? Can’t get a date amongst the stonecutters, huh? You must be uglier than I thought. And what about the ban? You took the vow didn’t you?”
    Muolithnon replied, “Err… I think one more night should send the message to the ghoul-kind. We can do as before. Wait for them to mass upon us and join forces and cast a great big love spell. Maybe even a bigger one this time. I have my jacket out at the washroom. It’s getting cleaned just for the occasion and I have an appointment at the barber. A shave and a haircut… oh, no! I’m late. Darn this eternal night! Never know what time it is! I’m off. Kerlith, heed the master while I’m gone. I won’t be long.” He quickly exited with a wide grin and there was almost a twinkle in his eye.
    Bel asked, “Master, shall I have breakfast prepared for you?”
    “After that display! No. My stomach is twisting. You two go ahead. I need some time alone to think.”
    Bel and Kerlith ate then sat out on the front porch watching the villagers attempting to conduct their daily business by torchlight, them behaving as if the events of last night did not happen, as if they weren’t nearly all slaughtered . They are a tough people. Resilient, Bel thought. Their village sat right on the border between the Hinterlands and the Western Forest and they had been right on the dividing line of the war. It was a long war and a long time ago but the name of this village appeared in all the histories. They saw fighting, too much fighting, outside forces invading, retreating and invading again, trying to capture a strategic position without care or concern for the people who lived here. No, these ghoul attacks must be bringing those memories back like a dam breaking and pouring in a carcass-laden fetid stream of death , Bel thought.
    “I guess life goes on?” Bel said trying to clear his mind.
    “I was thinking the same thing, but maybe it’s just because they have no other choice. They can’t run. They can’t hide. I guess the best they can do is pretend it didn’t happen. I mean the alternative would be to run around in the center courtyard here like a babbling, insane person. I mean, like if you really sat down and thought about it.”
    “Hey, is your master always like that?”
    “I don’t know. Is yours?” Kerlith snapped back.
    “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant… I don’t know what I meant. He took advantage of those girls, you know.”
    “Looked like they were taking advantage of him.”
    “Maybe. But still, they were under a spell. I don’t care what you two do as long as you don’t mess things up for us in the forest. This is our lands remember?”
    “Maybe that was just an excuse they used to let their hair down a little. Maybe they wanted to do that all along. I see your master wasn’t interested. What’s his malfunction?”
    “He’s old, I guess,” Bel defended.
    “That has nothing to do with it.”
    “And he wouldn’t let you out either. Maybe he was afraid you’d embarrass him.”
    “Really, Kerlith? And how’d you do?”
    “I did all right. You won’t find any young girls complaining this morning. I’m a regular all around fun person to be with, I am.”
    “Oh. Yeah. I knew that. Barrel of monkeys, you are.”
    Kerlith huffed as he threw a pebble, “You got that right.”
    Bel’s heart suddenly ached over