The Phoenix Ring(40)

As Argentah became bigger, and its streets more narrow, smuggling and illegal trading started to destroy the city from the inside out. Eventually, instead of being a place where traders would stop to sell goods, it became a place that they avoided to protect their wares.

Aside from the dangers of the city itself, riding a griffin was also risky. The creatures tended to have the personalities of cats, and wouldn't obey unless they were going to get a reward. They were also fiercely territorial, and often got into fights with each other and their feral cousins. A trained griffin handler could deal with a flock of three, but someone who had no experience could never hope to fly one.

Borin saw Aidan's doubting face and chuckled. "Don't worry, the amogh that goes with you will know how to navigate the city, and I think you'll find that griffins like sorcerers more than you would think."

Aidan wasn't sure, but Timothy seemed to be satisfied.

"Which amogh is going with us?" He asked.

"I don't know yet. I'm going to discuss it with some of the elders tonight. In the morning we should have made our decision. You should go rest while you can. Your master will contact you tonight and tell you as much as he can."

Timothy stood up and stretched his arms.

"I'm ready for a nap, you coming?" he asked.

"No, I have something I need to talk about with Master Borin. You go ahead, I'll catch up." Aidan said.

Timothy shrugged and left just as Aaliyah returned.

"Now what was it you wanted?" Borin asked, a note of concern in his voice.

"If you don't mind me asking," Aidan said, "How would you deal with a goblin if he possessed a friend?"

Borin closed his eyes and sighed.

"It's the other sorcerer, Timothy, isn't it? I could tell something was off about him."

"Yes," Aidan said. "We found it on the journey. It might be in his bag right now."

"I doubt it," the amogh said, "If he stayed around so many amoghs for so long then he might not be able to hold his bond. If you really want to break him then the best thing to do is to remove him from the source of his magic."

"You mean like a leeching spell," Aidan said, feeling stupid for not thinking of that first.

"No, I wouldn't try that. In the moment before his magic is taken he could do some serious damage. If he comes with you on your journey, then his power will weaken gradually from the amogh accompanying you. You'll have to be patient, but the bond should wear off. Also, goblins hate flying. Once you have a griffin he should ditch you."

"Okay," Aidan said, though he still felt a nagging doubt in the back of his head.

"Now you should probably join your friend. Aaliyah will show you the way to you lodgings. Dinner is in two hours, I'll send someone to get you."





Aidan followed the girl outside, where she began to walk briskly towards a hut that sat at the back of the camp.

Everything about her, the way she moved, the way she looked at Aidan, suggested a deep loathing.

Aidan was also starting to feel a bit of anger rise up inside himself.

What right does this amogh have to hate me? I never tried to hurt her, I never said anything wrong to her. We came bearing gifts! She should be grateful for our help, not scornful!

Aaliyah pushed open the door to the little hut, revealing a small space containing nothing but two cots and the mages' packs and staffs. And a snoring Timothy.

"I wouldn't sleep there," she said, pointing to the unoccupied cot. "The last man to lay in that died from Blood Cough."

"Blood Cough?" Aidan asked, feeling as if he should have known what that was.

The amogh's eyes' narrowed.

"It starts out with a sore throat, just like any cold. Then it gets worse, and before you know it you're coughing up blood. It's only a matter of time before you die, after that. Of course, you mages wouldn't know about that, living in your 'safety sphere.' Have a nice nap, magic boy." she said, slamming the door.

Timothy didn't budge.

Aidan slowly sat down, as far away from the cot as he could, and pulled Timothy's pack closer to him.

He picked up his staff, glad to feel the smooth obsidian under his fingers, and pressed the button, releasing the blade.

He positioned himself over his friend's bag, with his weapon held in the air, and quickly ripped open the magic compartment.

It was empty, just as Borin had said, though a lizard-like smell penetrated the air.

Aidan sat back on his heels and sighed. The creature was evasive, smart, and malicious. No matter what the amogh master had said, Aidan doubted that the creature would be so easy to get rid of.

Aidan then grabbed his own bag, which no longer held the dragon scales and spines, and pulled out his book of magic.

He found a quick spell that would kill most diseases and cast it over the entire hut, taking special interest in the area of his cot.