The Price of Dark Magic
“I see…” Knoll nodded slowly. “I cannot say I have ever heard of such a thing.” Of course, he didn’t know everything. There was plenty about magic, especially in other outrealms and magics other than dark magic, that he did not know.
His mouth was beginning to feel quite dry again. “As long as it is water, I think my stomach should agree.”
“Of course,” Pelleas said, helping Knoll take hold of the glass of clean water he’d procured. “This should help, at least a little bit.”
He wasn’t sure whether to explain more about spirit charming, or ask how it was that anyone could command dark magic without it. If Knoll was Branded, that would be one thing, but any Branded mage would know of spirit charmers, surely. Was there something else at play?
“As I said... don’t look too much into it. I’d thought I might have found a kindred spirit, but I hope you’re wise enough not to make the same choice I did. Honestly... I can’t think of anything more foolhardy than things like that.”
He took a moment to collect himself, trying not to go further. “Are you, um, from around here? I was looking for a place called Grado to speak with the king... or queen, or regent...or, ah, you know. The ruler. But I seem to have lost my way along the road to the capital.”
