Free The (sort of) Dark Mage (Waldo Rabbit) by Nelson Chereta Page A

agree with you. Yes, get rid of all the monsters and the world would be a much better place. If words alone were enough the world would have been purified long ago.
     
    The problem was that most were unwilling to pay the price.
     
    Creating a new age of peace and justice would not come easily. Ridding the world of monsters demanded tremendous sacrifice, of both blood and treasure. Most of the nations were unwilling. They fought when they had to, when the danger was obvious, but then sought accommodation rather than continue fighting to achieve a lasting victory. There were monsters all across the Shattered Lands, in almost every country. Most rulers chose to compromise with them and tolerate their existence within certain limits. Much as they would a certain amount of corruption and crime.
     
    “Compromise.” She spat as if to get the taste of that foul word out of her mouth. There can be no negotiation or agreement with evil. What is just is just, what is wicked is wicked, there can be no compromise.
     
    “Those who do not understand that must be taught the error of their ways.”
     
    XXX
     
    Like every village near the marshes, Peabody was surrounded by a wooden stockade. There was a single watch tower that was manned day and night. The people here and in the other villages lived in fear because their king was not strong enough to do what was truly necessary.
     
    As she approached the people inside the village proper all quickly noticed. It was not surprising, people in white robes were a rare sight, especially in a place like this. A small crowd of twenty to thirty gathered near the gate, openly gawking at her.
     
    She was used to this reaction and did not hold it against them. A White Mage always drew stares and made people nervous.
     
    Her hood was down so that they could get a clear look at her face. She was attractive and exotic for this part of the world, with the blonde hair and yellow eyes.
     
    She came to a halt before the villagers and offered them a slight bow. “Hello, I am Mistress Melissa Cornwall, an archmage of the Order of Mist.”
     
    The locals looked nervously at one another and turned their focus to a burly man with a salt and pepper beard.
     
    The local chieftain , she thought.
     
    Stroking his bead he took a hesitant step forward and gave her a much lower bow than she had offered. “Greetings to you Mistress Cornwall. Welcome to Peabody, my name is Lorimer, it has been a long time since a White Mage has visited us. To be honest I am not sure one ever has.”
     
    “Well that’s not surprising, there are only so many of us outside of Avalon.”
     
    Still stroking his beard Lorimer looked around, as if asking for help. Everyone remained silent.
     
    “Well then Mistress Cornwall, is there some special reason you have come to visit us?”
     
    “I was told there was an attack by a very strong monster in this area. I have come here to rid you of it.”
     
    Her words produced an excited murmur.
     
    Lorimer took on a stern air. He motioned for silence and everyone soon quieted. “You heard right, there was an awful attack two weeks ago at the Hampton place. The whole family, father, mother, and four children were all done in. We have all been very nervous about it.”
     
    There were unhappy nods and folk drawing circles over their hearts to ward off evil.
     
    “I would be happy to deal with this monster for you.”
     
    “For how much?” Lorimer asked. “I do not mean to be rude Mistress, but we are a poor village and do not have much in the way of coin. We might be able to pay you with a fat sow or some chickens, but if you were hoping for silver or gold we have none.”
     
    Smiling she spread her hands. “I require no payment, I am more than happy to do this without charge.”
     
    That caused fresh whispers and had Lorimer once more stroking his beard. “When do mages ever do anything for free? We’ve had to hire one from time to time to make it rain or to help us drive