Knights of the Wizard (of Knights and Wizards Book 2) by A. J. Gallant

now.”
    Ryxa didn’t like the sound of that. “Where are they? I’ll burn them.”
    Tavarot appeared from around a corner inside the cavern, a tall lanky fellow with a scraggly beard that looked like it had never been cut, carrying a glowing orb that spun in his hand. He wasn’t supposed to be a wizard but he sure looked like one to Marcus, perhaps he was simply pretending not to be one.
    “What on earth are you two doing with a dragon?” said Tavarot.
    “The dragon’s name is Ryxa; she’s friends with Marcus believe it or not.” Ryxa gave Tavarot a hug. “I haven’t seen you in almost a year.”
    Tavarot went over to the golden knight, transferred the orb to his left hand and with his right pushed the visor up and was surprised to see no one in there. He reached his hand in and felt around but it truly was empty. “Whoever created this is very powerful. Fascinating. I wanted to see if I knew the fellow inside the armour but there’s no fellow to know. The amount of potent energy emanating from it is quite impressive.” Tavarot reached up and knocked on the knight’s head several times and the gesture was reciprocated, which made him laugh. “Who conjured him?”
    Marcus had never seen a person that looked so old; he appeared to have more wrinkles on his face than the ocean had waves. He raised his right hand to take credit for the knight. “I created him while I was sleepwalking.”
    “Tavarot,” said Raina, “can you help him? His magic is so unstable that he was banished from his own kingdom.”
    “Can you get them to mate?” said Ryxa.
    Ryxa’s comment made Tavarot furrow his bushy grey eyebrows but was otherwise ignored; staring at Marcus through the glass orb he then took two steps back as he realized what he was seeing. “Holy god a TarCranian wizard!”
    “A what?” Raina asked.
    “A TarCranian wizard is the highest of the high, there are no superiors to a TarCranian. I can’t believe it.” Tavarot was quite excited, had heard of them but never thought he’d ever see one. “Let me see your wand boy.”
    Marcus was puzzled. “What’s a wand?”
    “Is he trying to be funny?” Tavarot said to Raina. “I don’t appreciate my time being wasted you know. I have other things that I could be doing.”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “A TarCranian sorcerer must have a wand to control his level of energy and to cast his spells, looks like a shapely stick I guess. A bow needs an arrow like a TarCranian needs a wand, only more so. A bow won’t turn you into a great big pile of horse shit.”
    Brother continued to watch and listen, always ready to defend the boy if necessary. The knight was aware that the strange old fellow was also producing magical energy, although his was at a much lower level than the boy’s.
    Marcus thought about Berhtram bringing him all those branches. Had he been trying to tell him that he needed a wand? How would the bird know? “Where do I get a wand?”
    “Boy you go stand over there, further than that, further.” Tavarot gestured with his hand for him to continue backing up. “Now don’t move from there boy. Raina, help me carry the tome into the light.” He placed the orb on the ground knowing that he was going to need it and then they entered the cavern.
    Once inside Raina noticed that it was brighter in there than it looked from the outside, brighter for a distance but then total darkness further in. A dowpoksoi servant appeared from out of the darkness carrying a metal lantern with several holes in the front emitting powerful beams of light being directed by the servant. They were as pale as snow and lived most of their lives underground, creating cities and towns beneath the earth. This one was muscular with blond hair that was covered with coal dust.
    “Tavarot, I’ve finally discovered the element. Do you want me to dig it out or wait for you?” Kratchmar asked.
    “Yes extract it I’ll be with you shortly.”
    Brother went over and stood with