Free Spell Fade by J. Daniel Layfield

face. When he spoke again that uneasy calm had returned.
    “If he was headed to the city, I could have easily avoided this entire unpleasant, and frankly, disappointing, conversation. As it stands now, I fear there may be key elements within my strategy I must seriously consider replacing.”
    Roal opened his mouth, an explanation ready, but closed it quickly. Excuses would not save him now. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to prove myself, sire. I will not fail you again.”
    “See that you don’t.” Jarel leaned back. “They head west from his village. Seeing as the farmer decided to deliver this message personally, they will already be several days ahead of you, so I suggest you hurry.” Jarel paused in thought for a moment, then added with a smile, “I will see if I can’t arrange something to slow them down a bit. We did only promise the safety of the heir, after all.”
    “Very good, sire,” Roal said with a bow, and then moved to leave.
    “One last thing you should know before you go, Roal.” Roal stopped and waited. “I’ve been practicing breaking the neck without killing. Still haven’t quite gotten it down yet, though.” Roal swallowed hard, absently rubbing his neck. “Fail me again and we will see if my skill has improved.”
    “I live to serve, sire,” Roal replied, and quickly retreated from the throne room.
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    The discussion on whether or not to leave wound up being no discussion at all. Dartan had already committed himself to follow the wizard, wherever he may lead. If he was going to learn anything of being a wizard, or his royal lineage, it would be with Alain. It also seemed to be what Mother wanted him to do. Aliet and Marcus though, had very different, but simple reasons for leaving.
    Neither argued they could stay. A simple look around the dying land was all the rebuttal needed against that point. They had other options, farms in neighboring villages, a distant aunt living in the city, but Aliet wouldn’t even consider them. She had followed Dartan nearly everywhere since the day they met, and she could think of no good reason to stop now.
    For Marcus, the decision was not so easily made. He stared at the two of them all evening, pacing back and forth across the small house, packing and grumbling. In the end, it came down to a simple promise he had made his parents – to take care of his little sister. It wasn’t something he was willing to break. In the end, it seemed as if there was no other real choice for any of them.
    The morning sun saw them packed, mostly rested, and eager to start. All they were missing now was their guide.
    Josie stomped at the ground, restless and ready. Aliet sat quietly atop Josie, reins loose in her hands, allowing the animal to wander. None of Aliet and Marcus’s livestock had survived, leaving Dartan and Marcus on foot. Dartan sat on the steps of the front porch, while Marcus stood behind him. The only noise between them all was that of Josie clomping about, eating grass from wherever she could find a decent bite in the dry, dusty ground. Eventually, she made her way to the porch, and began pushing Dartan’s pack around, making sure there was nothing underneath she might want.
    “Watch it, Josie,” Dartan said, pulling the bag onto the step next to him. Josie ignored him.
    “Do you think you’re keeping her alive?” Aliet asked, absently rubbing Josie’s neck. She looked up at Dartan and added, “With magic, I mean. Do you think you’re the reason Josie has survived?”
    “That nag? I doubt it. She’s just too stubborn to die.” Josie responded with a grumble and a huff that stirred Dartan’s hair. He thought he heard a chuckle from behind him, but couldn’t be sure as he had always assumed Marcus incapable of laughter. He looked back, but there was no trace of even a smile on Marcus’s face. He turned back to Aliet. “Don’t make me think about it, though. Just in case. I mean, we need