Wizard Pair (Book 3) by James Eggebeen Page B

boys. The youth looked at his friends and shook his head, then turned and walked slowly away.
    Zhimosom breathed a sigh of relief. He was able to tolerate the occasional clod of dirt or spoiled fruit, but rocks were another matter. He raised his eyes to watch the boys run off, pushing and shoving as they taunted the youth who had dropped the rock.
    Off in the crowd, Zhimosom caught sight of the black robes of the Priest he and Rotiaqua had been observing. Sulrad turned to look at him and Zhimosom knew that Sulrad had sensed the magic when Zhimosom protected himself from the boy.
    Sulrad turned and strode towards Zhimosom.
    Zhimosom struggled in the stocks. He reached out with his magic to pull the pin that secured them shut. He wanted to run, to get away from the Priest. He felt the pin wriggle loose and fall to the ground just as a young girl dressed in ragged clothes with a yoke around her neck and two pails of water crashed into Sulrad.
    It was Brill!
    She turned her head to him and motioned him to run while she apologized profusely but kept Sulrad focused on her and the water that was turning the ground beneath him to mud.
    Zhimosom pulled free of the stocks and ran off into the crowd, silently thanking the girl for interfering on his behalf.

Temple
    Rotiaqua had watched as the factor's lot was cleared and the new structure rose. It was a grand Temple with room for hundreds of followers. There were as yet few, but word was getting around that those who embraced the new god Ran had found fortune in their business and were plagued by fewer illnesses.
    "I want you to go see what the Priest is up to," the Baron told Rotiaqua when he heard the news. "I understand that he holds audience mid morning on alternate days. It is said that he grants favors in health and good fortune for the faithful."
    "I don't like him." Rotiaqua wanted nothing less than to witness what the Priest was doing to the people, but the Baron had often said that he was pleased with Sulrad's performance, both in battle, and in increasing his Golds through Temple offerings.
    "One does not need to like every business partner one has. However, this one has proved to be valuable indeed. I would like your opinion on these supplicants."
    "Father, you know all he is doing is robbing these folk. Why do you support him so?"
    "He has saved me dearly by his actions against King Omrik, and he serves a purpose in transferring Gold from the wealthy and the merchants into our treasury. You know how they scream and threaten revolt if we even hint at increasing the duty they pay, but they are flocking to this new Temple, happy to hand over their Gold."
    "He's no better than a charlatan."
    "Be that as it may, he serves my purposes. Go and see what he's up to and bring me back the news." The Baron dismissed her and Rotiaqua knew there was no arguing with him.
     
     
     
     
    Rotiaqua arrived at the Temple just before the audiences were scheduled to start. The new building was framed up with sturdy wooden beams and covered with drapes in areas where the walls had not yet been completed. Rotiaqua wondered at the size of the structure. There was nothing to compare to it except the castle itself.
    The Temple was huge and from what she could see of the completed areas, it was going to be opulent. The windows were large and richly decorated and those rooms that were complete showed furnishings of the highest quality and candlesticks decorated with gold. Surely, Sulrad was doing well with the Nobles and merchants.
    "Welcome, My Lady," Sulrad said when he saw her arrive. "I am honored to have you here today. Is there something you need?"
    "No, nothing. I came here to witness your audience this morning. I hope it's not an inconvenience for you." Secretly, she hoped he would throw her out and she would have a complaint to carry back to her father.
    "No inconvenience." Sulrad raised his arm and a young woman came scurrying. "Please bring my guest suitable seating."
    "Right away,