The Dragons of Ash and Smoke (Tales from the New Earth Book 5) (62 page)

“
As you wish,
master,” the earthen said, not sounding very convinced.

“
In that case, sir
wizard, I shall begin my service by checking the local ground water.
I may be able to draw more moisture to the surface, since Aeris has
informed me that you have increased the size of your garden.”

“
Thanks Ana, that
sounds great.”

The water elemental smiled
and slipped across the table, down to the floor and out of the room,
leaving a trail of wetness behind her.

“
Well then, since
you are looking for a sense of normalcy, shall I make you some tea?”
Aeris asked archly.

Simon smiled at the
obvious teasing.

“
That would be
wonderful. Thanks.”

Aeris disappeared and the
wizard was left staring at Kronk.

“
Anything else?”
he asked when the little guy remained standing in place, silently
watching him.

“
Perhaps, master. If
you would forgive my impertinence, I believe I know you better than
anyone alive today, except perhaps your good friend Daniel.”

Simon sat back in his
chair and folded his arms.

“
I can't argue with
that. And?”

“
And I think that
you are holding something back. It is not my place to question you,
master, and I am not. But I thought you should know that. And if you
want to talk about it, whatever it is, I am always here for you.”

The wizard closed his eyes
and rubbed the back of his neck, massaging the soreness there.

“
I know you are. I
know. And maybe you're on to something. But if you are, I can't talk
about it right now. Thanks for the offer though. One day I may hold
you to it.”

He opened his eyes again
and watched the little guy bow and tip-tap out of the room.

He's so perceptive, Simon
thought. I wonder how long it will take him to figure it out.

He stood up and stepped
over to the window, staring blindly out at the darkening forest. He'd
been surprised that none of the mages had put two and two together.
Maybe they thought that he was more powerful than he was. That could
be it. But he knew the truth. He should have died today. The
explosion that killed Pyrathius ripped through his shield like it was
paper and tore the diamond skin off of his body. Yes, he should be
dead, but he wasn't.

They'll figure it out one
day, he thought.

And then what will you
tell them, wizard, a voice bubbling up from deep inside of him asked

The truth, I suppose. What
else?

Really? And how do you
think they will respond when they learn that you've merged with a
creature that they have come to hate above all others?

Go back to sleep,
Esmiralla. It's been a long day.

The End

My List of Novels:

The
Titan's Legacy

Book:1
The
Return of the Titans

Book:2
The
Battle for Sanctuary

Book 3:
The
Hunt for Hyperion

The
Angelic Wars

Book 1:
Confronting
the Fallen

Book 2:
The
Rise of the Fallen

Tales
from the New Earth

Book 1:
The
Dragons Return

Book 2:
The
Dragons Revenge

Book 3:
The
Dragons of Ice and Snow

Book 4:
The
Dragons of Decay

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