Free Hemlock And The Dread Sorceress (Book 3) by B. Throwsnaill Page B

he?” said Tored.
    “Our relationship was complex.  He believes in something I don’t.  We both want to help people, but he believes in helping people by controlling them.  I believe in helping them to help themselves.  But I’m sure he would disapprove of DuLoc wanting to control and harm people.  He will help us—if he’s able to.”
    “Do you still have feelings for him?” asked Mercuria.
    “I don’t know,” replied Hemlock, realizing it was a lie only after she had finished speaking.
    “Is th at what this trip has really been about all along?  I thought you were finally focusing on your family over your work.  Now I realize this is just more of the same, Hemlock.  It just so happens that Mother is on the same world.  Otherwise, you’d be searching for Falignus and leaving Mother and me to fend for ourselves.”
    “That’s not true!  I became certain about Falignus only after we decided to go.  I wanted to do something to make you happy and I need to resolve things between Mother and me.”
    “I’m not buying it, Hemlock.  I know you too well,” said Mercuria.
    Hemlock couldn’t muster the strength to argue any further. Plus, she had a sinking feeling that her sister’s accusation might have been closer to the mark than she wanted to accept.
    “How c an four of us travel back on Penelope?  I understand that she will struggle to take three between the worlds,” said Tored.
    “I have a plan for that.  Just wait a few minutes and you’ll understand.”
    “Don’t you ever get tired of controlling people?” said Mercuria.
    Hemlock was content to let the question remain unacknowledged.
    The trio walked in silence.  Hemlock directed them toward a small bluff that overlooked the City.  The white-washed buildings of the Elite district were pretty in the glow of dawn, looking even more clean and perfect in the sanctity of the morning light.  She felt a pang of guilt because she hadn’t accomplished more to alleviate the poverty of the Warrens in recent months. But she had grown tired of politics and found the issues underlying the poverty were more complex than she’d anticipated.
    I’ll put that all behind me for now.  We are leaving for a while.  These problems will be here when we get back, and we’ll solve them then.
    “Look,” said Mercuria without enthusiasm as the graceful form of the approaching griffin was cast in a stark outline as it flew from the top of the distant Wizard Tower.  Hemlock considered going to the tower to meet Penelope, but fear of another stressful encounter with Gwineval dissuaded her from that.  She’d asked Merit to deliver a message to the griffin for her instead.
    The trio was transfixed by the sight of Penelope’s approach.
    “There’s someone on Penelope’s back,” said Tored.
    “Good eyes for an old man,” said Hemlock.” It’s Renevos.  He’s come to see us off.”
    A few more minutes passed before the griffin landed softly on the hillside.  Renevos, looking more disheveled than usual after the short flight, made a clumsy dismount then bowed in greeting.  Hemlock was used to seeing the wizard, but something had changed about his appearance as of late.  Since he had returned from the quest to the Witch Crags and taken his place on the Wizard Council, he began wearing his beard braided.  It seemed to be an unusual point of pride for the old wizard, even though the remainder of his appearance did not benefit from a similar focus.
    “Looking good, Renevos.  Are the women throwing themselves at you now that you have that nice beard?” said Hemlock.
    “Well, that’s a very crass comment to greet me with, young lady.  But I won’t hold it against you.  This time,” said Renevos.
    “How was the flight?”
    “A bit unnerving, I must confess.  But, I am an old man—too old for this sort of running about, it would seem.”
    “Rubbish.  You wish you were coming with us.  Admit it!”
    “I should like another adventure,