Free Foundling Wizard (Book 1) by James Eggebeen Page A

earlier.
    “That you may do. It will have no ill effect on them. But remember, you are using your own energy to create that food. That’s a losing game.”
    “Thank you for explaining.” He didn’t think he was going to try that again, but he knew what his options were, should he need them.
    “Will there be anything else?” Zhimosom asked.
    Before Lorit could reply, the old wizard turned to mist and vanished.
     
     
    Lorit was awakened to the trill of the morning birds as the sky lightened and the forest began its song. He turned over in his bedroll and saw Chedel already packing up.
    “It doesn’t sound like you slept well,” Chedel remarked.
    “No, I didn’t,” Lorit replied, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Do we have any food?” he asked.
    Chedel looked through his pack, rummaging through the remains of their foodstuffs.
    “There’s only a little cheese and some bread left. What are we going to do?”
    “You ever do any hunting?” Lorit asked. He stood and looked around the woods. The underbrush was thick and lush. There should be an adequate supply of small game around.
    “Not much,” Chedel replied.
    “You know how to make a fire?”
    “Yes, I can make a fire.
    “Good, you make a fire, and I’ll get us something to eat.” With that Lorit headed into the brush. He pulled his knife from his belt and occasionally slashed a mark into the trees at head height to help him find his way back to the campsite.
    When he returned, Chedel had a small fire going. Lorit inspected it to make sure that there was no smoke to give away their position, and decided it was good.
    “That’s a nice fire,” he complimented Chedel.
    “Thanks, my dad taught me how to cook, too,” he answered. “I wish we had some pots and pans, so we could make a decent stew.”
    “Maybe later we can find a place to get some supplies,” Lorit remarked. “Today it’s rabbits.” He un-slung the rabbits he’d snared from around his neck and tossed them to the ground.
    “I saw some roots over there,” Chedel said. “I think they would go good roasted with the rabbits. I’ll get some while you dress your kill.”
    “Good idea,” Lorit answered. He brushed some of the fallen leaves aside and sat down to clean and prepare the rabbits. Lorit had just placed the second carcass onto the fire when Chedel returned with the roots. He’d dug up a few wild sweet potatoes, and had them cleaned and ready for the fire.
    “Looks like today we feast,” Lorit remarked.
    “Good eating,” Chedel commented as he placed the sweet potatoes on the rocks he had positioned inside the fire ring.
     
     
    Late that afternoon, the haphazard mix of old oak trees gave way to neatly organized fir trees that showed signs of meticulous care in their arrangement.
    “We’re almost there,” Lorit said when they reached the line of fir trees. “This is what he told me to expect.”
    “Where are we supposed to go once we get there?” Chedel asked.
    “We’re supposed to find the inn. Zhimosom said there was only one, and we’re to wait there. Someone will contact us.”
    “Over there.” Chedel pointed to a break in the trees where the evening sunlight illuminated the clearing. The trees had been cut away from the fields and a small town.
    “That looks like the place,” Lorit remarked.
    The forest path turned into a rough road that ran through the middle of the town. At first, there were a few scattered buildings along the route, with no marking. These were the homesteads of farmers who lived on the outskirts of the town. They gave way to buildings packed, side by side, with very little room between them.
    Lorit spotted the tavern that Zhimosom said would be their ultimate destination. “That looks like the place,” Lorit pointed to the sign hanging from the inn.
    “Good,” Chedel remarked. “I was getting tired of all this walking.”
    A young girl came running out of the alleyway between the nearest buildings. “Please!