Free Hamilton Swoop, Wizard of Green Ridge by L. Stewart Hearl

dropped to his twining fingers. The kid would snap his own knuckles at any moment.
    "Then the next step is to full wizardry, is it not?"
    "Yes, Sir.” The boy's voice quivered.
    "Relax, Rupert. This isn't a test. I'm just curious. What must you do to gain the next level?"
    "I-I must be able to perform five spells from the Trilogy flawlessly. I practice several hours a day."
    "Just five spells?"
    Rupert lifted his head, meeting Hamilton's gaze. “Oh no, Sir. Fifteen spells, five from each of the books."
    Hamilton shook his head and then looked at the Guildmaster. “Lowered the standards a bit, haven't you?"
    "What do you mean?"
    "Fifteen spells? Is that all you require now?"
    "It has always been so. Even before you did your apprenticeship. It is written in the Guild bylaws and they have never been changed. How many of the spells were you required to master?"
    "All of them."
    "But there are thousands of..."
    "Three thousand two hundred and eighteen to be precise."
    "And you learned them all?” Diamond had to push his jaws closed.
    "Obsidian told me it was required. I always knew that old wizard was cruel, but I never thought that he would lie to me."
    Rupert chimed in, amazed, “Master Citrine, truly, did you learn all of the spells in the Trilogy?"
    "Yeah, kid. Every last one of them and a few that weren't in the books though I've probably forgotten most of them."
    The Guildmaster spoke, “You know that's not possible. That's why the Guild put the lock spell on you. They did it for their own protection. They couldn't afford to have a rogue wizard on the loose. Now I can see why. My Gods, man. All of the spells!"
    "So who said I would turn rogue?"
    "No one, specifically. It's just, well, according to the records, they didn't trust you."
    "I suppose that it doesn't matter now. Shall we get started?"
    The Guildmaster nodded to the junior wizard, “Rupert, if you please."
    Rupert lit a taper and cleared his throat. Flame curled up from its tip changing in color from red to blue to green. Rupert intoned,
    "The sands do run as the taper b-burns,
    With these words, thyn p-power returns."
    Hamilton looked from Rupert to Diamond. “That's it? No flash of light? No rumble of thunder. Just two lines?"
    "It was thought that it would suffice."
    "Well.” Hamilton laughed. “At least it rhymed.” He then raised his right hand. When it was level with the top of the desk, he snapped his fingers. There was a loud pop and a globe of light about six inches across appeared above Hamilton's hand. He glanced at Rupert. “Good job, boy. Looks like it worked.” Another snap of his fingers and the globe vanished.
    "T-Thank you, Master Citrine. It was an honor to assist. M-may I leave now?"
    Diamond gestured to the door. “Go, boy.” Rupert raced for the exit.
    Hamilton watched the boy leave, stood and turned back to face Diamond. “So now you want me to go kill the dragon, correct?"
    "As quickly as possible."
    "Sorry, but this task will take a while. I can't just attack a dragon blindly. I have to know more about it. Arrange for a Guild meeting tomorrow. I want all of the wizards there. Apprentices too."
    "Just how am I supposed to gather them all on such short notice?” Diamond clenched his teeth, his lips pressed together.
    "That would be your problem. Maybe you should try a little magic. Try book 2-837. Mid-afternoon should do. Send your carriage for me."
    "Will there be anything else?” Sarcasm coated his words.
    "As a matter of fact, there is. I believe that I will need an assistant."
    "How about Rupert? He's quite a bright lad."
    "Rupert, huh? No. Too young. I believe that girl—Thalia, yes, Thalia will do. She mentioned that you said that she had the talent. Is that not so?"
    It was plain that Diamond was reluctant to relinquish the girl, but he was trumped by his own words. “Very well, I will inform her. She will pick you up tomorrow and escort you here.” He pulled his summoning cord then added, “You had better pull this