The Missing Mage by Robyn Wideman Page A

through the tree.As Ava placed the bloodstone rock into her satchel, Balthazar sat down on the fallen willow. “Now that you are done demonstrating how the rocks work, would you please put the tree back the way you found it.”
    Ava looked at Nathan. Put the tree back? How on Earth could they do that?
    Nathan shrugged. “Don’t look at me, I don’t know how we can make the tree go back.”
    “I don’t think we can,” Ava said, frowning and looking at Balthazar.
    “Precisely the point I wanted to make. Nathan has given you a very powerful weapon. Those rocks may very well save your life, or the life of someone important to you some day, but you have to be very careful. You cannot bring that tree back to life. Any time you throw one of your magic rocks, Ava, there will be damage done. Make sure you are extremely careful with that ability.” 
    After their lessons with Balthazar, Nathan left Ava and headed to the blacksmith shop. He was going to teach Sharon how to defend herself, but first he would make her a suitable weapon. He would make something small and discreet, yet deadly. While he walked, he pondered what would be best. Unfortunately, there was an idea bouncing around the back of his head but for the life of him, Nathan could not get it into focus. Nathan decided he would worry about discreet weapons later. For now, he would make to good daggers for Sharon to learn with.
    When Nathan got to the blacksmith shop, he was pleased to see that Breon and his apprentice, Bradley, were waiting for him with the forges nice and hot. After a quick greeting to the men, Nathan got to work. First, he added a couple chunks of witchwood to the forge fire to increase the heat, and then he began heating and hammering the iron, after he had it hot and malleable he added the phosphorus flakes, which reacted with the metal to give it its dark color and the exceptional strength that northern steel was famous for.
    Nathan became absorbed into the familiar pattern of work and all his thoughts of the outside world seemed to disappear. His affinity for earth allowed him to work metals in ways a normal blacksmith could not. For Nathan it was almost more important to have a clear picture of the project in his mind than it was to focus on the method he used to strike the hot metal. Once Nathan had the blades completed, he conversed with Breon and Bradley who had many questions about the science of northern steel. Nathan explained as best he could how the inclusion of different metals changed the structure of steel and the temperature and force needed to make the mythical metal.
    “Very interesting stuff Nathan. I been a blacksmith for over thirty years and I learned more about black steel today than I have before. You certainly know your craft,” said Breon.
    Nathan had seen the quality of work Breon and his apprentices produced, he was a quality smith, and his praise held high value to Nathan. “Thank you Breon, I really just had a good teacher. My father was an excellent smith and my father’s family has been working metal for generations.”
    Chapter fourteen
    THE INN, CLEAN AND warm, was distinctly different from the bar where Everet had first met Bryant Bingham. Instead of thieves, thugs, and assassins, this establishment’s clientele revolved around nobles, merchants, and other respectable individuals. Everet found it amusing how easily he could blend into both environments by simply changing his clothes and being more outgoing. Everet noted how much more comfortable Bryant was sitting at this table than the previous bar. The man could hardly be blamed, here customers did not have to worry about his wallet or his life.
    A pleasantly plump server smiled as she brought a basket of warm bread and a pitcher of wine to their table. As Everet refilled his mug, Bryant spoke. “As we spoke about previously, I am interested in your business proposition, but I simply cannot do business at those rates. If we could discuss an increase in my