Free The Archmage Unbound by Michael G. Manning Page A

Call
me when you would speak again,” she answered. With a wry smile she sank into
the earth and as quickly as she had come, she was gone again.
    Dusting the leaves from my trousers I
headed back toward the keep, people would be looking for me by now.

Chapter 6
    That evening Marc explained his plan to
visit the capital to everyone over dinner. Dorian and Penny had been relieved
simply to see him attending the evening meals again so the news that he would
be traveling was rather disappointing for them. Still we were all glad to know
he was beginning to find a new purpose for his life.
    Dorian had many a question for him
regarding his reason for exploring my father’s library but Rose was strangely
quiet throughout the meal, quietly picking at her venison. Considering her
usual chattiness I couldn’t help but wonder at her reticence.
    “So how long do you think you’ll be
gone?” asked Dorian. As he spoke he skillfully cut a large joint of meat from
a serving platter before passing it along.
    Marc smiled, lighting his features with
a warmth that made it seem as if his recent depression couldn’t possibly have
been real. “A while my friend, after I finish there I plan to travel a bit…
see if I can get access to some of the records kept by the various churches.”
    Dorian still wasn’t comfortable with the
fact that Marc had rejected his goddess. The Thornbear family had been
followers of the Lady of the Evening Star for many generations and despite what
both of us had told him he still seemed to feel that the goddess must have some
good reason for her refusal to help. Deep down I’m sure he secretly hoped that
Marcus would reconcile with Millicenth. “Are you trying to figure out why she did
what she did?” he said.
    “Partly,” answered Marc. He knew better
than to voice his desire for vengeance against the gods. It would only upset
Dorian and ruin the meal.
    Dorian snorted, “’Partly’ isn’t much of
an answer… why don’t you just spit out what you’re thinking?” Sometimes Dorian
could be more perceptive than people expected from such a massive man.
    Rose interrupted before I could, “Dorian
don’t badger him! He’s been through a lot, let him enjoy his food.”
    “I wasn’t badgering him,” Dorian groused.
“I’m just tired of not hearing what’s on people’s minds.”
    Marcus spoke up earnestly, “Look Dorian
I’m not trying to shut you out. I just need to get away. This gives me
something to do and a reason to travel.” I marveled at how sincere the
half-truth sounded coming from my friend.
    “When do you plan on going?” Rose asked
suddenly.
    “Tonight if Mort doesn’t mind
teleporting me,” Marc answered immediately.
    We had already discussed this earlier so
I simply nodded my head in agreement. “Would you mind taking a note to my
father for me?” asked Rose. “I haven’t seen him in months and I’m sure he must
be worried.”
    “Certainly Rose,” Marc agreed quickly.
    She thanked him and the rest of our meal
went quietly after that. I caught Rose looking at me once or twice but she
looked away whenever I caught her staring. Even with my advantage in sensing
emotions I had no idea what was on her mind. Rose Hightower was a complex
puzzle that I had long ago despaired of understanding. It was clear though
that she was curious about something.
    After we had finished eating I walked
with Marc back to his room to gather his things, and then I accompanied him to
the teleportation circle I had set to match the one in my house back in
Albamarl. He glanced at me in surprise as I stepped onto it with him. “You
don’t have to come with me.”
    “Yes I do. I have to tell the house to
tolerate your presence. Didn’t I ever tell you what happened to Rose that time
she went exploring the library without me?” I said. It turned out that somehow
I had neglected to relate that tale to him. Consequently we both got a chuckle
as I relived the story with him. The part where the